Mike Norvell addresses latest FSU travel plans for SMU game with Hurricane Helene closing in on Florida
With Hurricane Helene closing in on the Florida coast, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell said that travel plans have not changed for FSU, at least not yet. The Seminoles are supposed to depart Friday for their matchup at SMU, but with landfall expected Thursday those plans are destined to change.
“We’re still monitoring all things with the storm,” Norvell told reporters after practice Wednesday morning. “We have plans that tentative plans that are in place and then we have A, B and C. If anything needs to be adjusted we’ll go from there.”
While Hurricane Helene is rapidly intensifying, Norvell said FSU’s focus is on a key road matchup against SMU. Last week, his team bested Cal in Tallahassee, 14-9.
“Our thoughts are with everybody that’s going to be affected because it’s life,” he said. “We get the opportunity and the blessing to play this game, to be able to be at this great place. We have so much focus on the game. But there are going to be lives that are absolutely impacted for a lifetime. Praying that everything goes as smooth and as easy as possible for all that will be affected.”
While FSU’s football team will travel to Dallas, the Marching Chiefs announced that band members cancelled two buses that were headed to Dallas for Saturday’s game. The Tomahawk Chop won’t be played in Gerald J. Ford Stadium, it seems.
Back on the field, SMU is coming off a 66-42 win over TCU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Norvell said that the atmosphere in his hometown should be a good one and his team will have its hands full against Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs.
“We’re going to have to go and have to play better than what we’ve played, and we’ve got to go on the road and it’s going to be a great atmosphere for them,” Norvell said earlier this week. “I just want to see our team continue to go get better. Obviously I’m from the Metroplex, and I’ve been playing enough games going back there, previous places. It’s nothing new. We’ve got a couple guys from the Dallas area that I know they’re excited about getting a chance to go play in front of their family and friends. Look forward to seeing them play well.”
SMU is set to face FSU for the first time in program history at 7 p.m. CT on ACC Network.
