Mike Norvell Discusses Late Game Resurgence Against Pitt
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05:15 >> Having to face some adversity just throughout the course of the week,
05:18 and I'm just so grateful to the guys that were unavailable tonight.
05:21 It really took all three phases.
05:23 We did a lot of good things, there were some plays and
05:26 some moments that obviously we'd like to have back.
05:29 But I was just really pleased with the response of our team.
05:33 We wanted to come and start fast,
05:35 obviously we had a turnover on the very first drive.
05:37 They had a big play, putting us behind.
05:42 But our guys, they were great attitude, great approach on the sideline.
05:46 I thought there were some times maybe we were trying to do a little bit too much
05:49 just throughout the early part of the game.
05:53 But really thought our guys settled in, finished the game on a 24-0 run.
05:59 Defense made big plays, created takeaways,
06:02 very impactful throughout the contest.
06:05 I mean, unbelievable on third downs, did not convert a third down.
06:10 Held them under 100 yards rushing, and then offensively,
06:13 even minus a few of our top weapons to see guys like Ja'Kai Douglas step up.
06:18 Tight end room, running backs,
06:20 obviously Jordan distributed the ball really well.
06:23 Had a bunch of big plays, and I'm just proud of this team.
06:28 To see Fitz bounce back, was able to hit a field goal.
06:34 So all phases really did a good job.
06:35 I thought Alex, you was able to flip the field for us when we had to punt.
06:39 And so just proud of the work our guys have put in.
06:43 Today was big, and I don't talk about a whole lot of things in front,
06:47 but one thing I did mention to the team is that if we took care of business today,
06:51 we guaranteed ourselves another opportunity to be together.
06:56 And for this team and this year.
06:58 And by that win, clinched a spot in the ACC championship game.
07:04 Really proud of our guys for that.
07:06 I mean, this is a lot of work that goes into it.
07:09 And to know that we're going to get another game at the end of the regular
07:11 season is something that's really big.
07:14 As we go into this, you know, coming off of this game, going into this next week,
07:18 we know what this week, this ahead, what it means.
07:20 What it means to this team, what it means to our program, to our university,
07:24 to all things that are ahead.
07:26 And we'll get back to Tallahassee and we'll enjoy tonight,
07:31 but we're going to be ready to go come tomorrow as we prep for what's ahead
07:35 to end our ACC schedule.
07:38 So, excited about how we played on the road up to this point.
07:42 Like I said, some things we get to continue to clean up,
07:45 but I was really proud of our team tonight.
07:48 Questions for Coach?
07:49 Ira?
07:50 Ja'Kai, obviously, two catches I think on the season coming in.
07:53 You guys just seriously needed the help of the receiver coordinator.
07:56 He stepped up.
07:57 Yeah, you know, it was remarkable.
07:59 I mean, he played a new position.
08:00 He was able to do a lot of things.
08:02 We were down five guys, I think it was, at receiver.
08:06 And, you know, really, you know, Kentron was able to play a little bit, you know,
08:11 but he was limited most of all the week.
08:14 And Ja'Kai, Darion, you know, those guys, you know,
08:17 they really took the workman's load.
08:19 You saw, you know, Andreavis Jacobs got in as a true freshman,
08:21 made some big plays.
08:23 But I was so proud of Ja'Kai.
08:25 You know, anybody that's around him, they know the type of young man that he is.
08:28 They know the work, just the passion of what he plays.
08:31 You know, I've mentioned his name multiple times this year,
08:34 but what is he doing on special teams?
08:36 I mean, he's remarkable as a gunner.
08:37 Tonight we didn't have him, you know, in that phase
08:39 because we knew he'd have to play a lot of snaps.
08:41 But, you know, Woody Fahmy finished up with over 100 yards, six catches.
08:46 You know, it was just big plays and big moments.
08:49 And, you know, that's what we needed.
08:50 So, very happy for him.
08:52 You know, he was the one that actually broke the rock,
08:54 and I didn't even have to make the decision.
08:56 The team was already chanting his name whenever we got to the end of it.
08:59 But that's what this is all about.
09:01 Because guys understand and respect work.
09:03 And, you know, Ja'Kai missed the early part of the season due to injury.
09:06 We had a couple guys that that was the case with.
09:08 But, you know, they're just continuing to work themselves
09:11 and prepare for the moment.
09:12 And he got his moment tonight and did a great job with it.
09:16 Kurt.
09:17 Kind of along those lines, what would you say about --
09:19 I mean, Jordan, I think, had a season-high pass tonight
09:21 without all those guys you mentioned.
09:23 Does Jordan and the skill position talent help how those guys can be?
09:27 You know, you talk about depth.
09:28 You talk about playmakers.
09:29 You know, you never know when your opportunity is going to come.
09:32 But you've got to be ready for it.
09:34 And, you know, for Jordan to throw for 360 yards tonight, I mean,
09:38 it was pretty remarkable.
09:41 And, you know, there were some things --
09:43 obviously that's a defense that's going to -- they're going to stack the box.
09:46 They're going to try to keep things tight on you.
09:48 We needed to be able to loosen it up.
09:49 You know, I was proud of us being able to hit the big run there late
09:52 with Trey Benson, you know, as they were spacing out a little bit.
09:56 But, you know, it's all part of what makes this offense go,
10:00 is you've got to be able to be versatile.
10:02 You've got to -- you know, the depth that we have,
10:04 the talent that we have, you know, on this team,
10:06 just a lot of excitement for where we are
10:09 and also where we're going as a program.
10:10 Because that competition, you know, that belief and that work ethic
10:13 is what prepares you to rise up in moments like that.
10:17 [Inaudible]
10:31 Yeah, no, I mean, it's -- you know, I love the young man.
10:33 He's been on this journey.
10:34 He played as a true freshman, you know, coming in.
10:37 You know, he's made a lot of big plays.
10:39 You know, I still always reference back to the first --
10:44 my first year at home against this next opponent.
10:47 You know, he had to play that kick-started that last drive.
10:50 And, you know, I think that when you see, you know, who he is, what he's about,
10:55 you know, I mean, the work ethic, the determination, you know,
10:59 you cheer for guys like that.
11:01 And, you know, his teammates love him, but, you know,
11:03 he's willing to do the things, you know, even without the ball in his hands.
11:06 He's willing to do the things, whenever his number's called.
11:10 And, you know, it's really -- I felt confident that he would show up big.
11:15 You know, last week, you know, being able to get a couple catches this last week
11:19 kind of built him, you know, and prepared him for what was necessary tonight.
11:22 And, you know, he was confident in the moment.
11:26 [Inaudible]
11:31 He's good.
11:32 I mean, it's just, you know, unfortunate in the last game,
11:35 there was, you know, an injury that kept him out, you know, from tonight.
11:41 But we're very hopeful that he'll be back, you know, extremely soon.
11:46 So, looking forward to how it progresses this week.
11:49 You know, Johnny's -- you know, Johnny being out, that was something that we're --
11:53 it's just continuing to progress on with both those guys.
11:57 Hakeem Williams is getting better, you know, do spans,
12:00 you know, continuing to work to get better.
12:01 Like I said, we had a laundry list of guys that were dealing with issues there.
12:06 But, you know, at the end of the day, I mean, it's --
12:10 they're doing everything in their power to get back on the field.
12:13 But, you know, just we're not going to put them out in a position
12:15 unless they can go out there and play to the best of their ability.
12:17 So, you know, excited to see, you know, how this next week goes
12:21 and you'll see exactly where it is as we progress towards it.
12:24 Coach, Chris on your left.
12:26 Getting this team back to the ACC Championship game,
12:28 can you take a moment and appreciate that with that punch?
12:30 Or is it just on to Miami and focus on --
12:32 I mean, you -- you know, you guys have been around me.
12:35 I mean, I don't get -- I don't ever talk about championships within the season.
12:41 You know, those games.
12:42 I mean, we know at the very first meeting of the year,
12:46 we talk about what brings us together.
12:48 And there's a standard of excellence at Florida State.
12:50 And we want to be competing for championships every single year.
12:53 But ultimately, like, you know, for us it's about the process
12:57 of what we need to do to be the best that we can put ourselves in a position
13:01 to be able to get that accomplished.
13:03 And -- but 100%, when you get to that point, right,
13:08 and that's why I told them this week, they put themselves in a position.
13:11 If they won today, they got to play one more game together.
13:13 Right?
13:14 Well, they accomplished that.
13:15 And so, am I proud of it?
13:16 Absolutely.
13:18 These guys, I watch them work 365 days a year.
13:21 And just the mindset, I mean, even when they're off they're working.
13:24 I mean, they're doing -- I mean, how they take care of bodies,
13:26 what the decisions that they make, the sacrifices that's necessary
13:30 to be part of this program, you know, on the field and off the field.
13:33 I mean, it's, you know, the academic growth that we've seen, you know,
13:37 just the character of this team, it's a team that you should be proud of.
13:40 And I'm proud of them.
13:42 And, you know, are we a finished product?
13:44 Absolutely not.
13:45 If we don't get better next week, then we have failed.
13:47 Right?
13:48 Because ultimately that's what we want to see is that constant growth
13:50 to be able to go be our best.
13:52 And, you know, there's -- will it ever be a perfect?
13:57 No.
13:58 I mean, I've never seen a perfect game.
13:59 Obviously there's plenty of mistakes tonight.
14:01 But we were able to respond and put ourselves in a position to win it,
14:04 which now allows us an opportunity to go and play in a championship game
14:08 here at the end of the year.
14:09 But we got one game this week, and obviously it's a huge game,
14:13 and that's going to be 100% of our focus from the minute we get back
14:17 and all things, you know, leading up to next Saturday.
14:20 Kurt, you talked about the early hole.
14:22 It's quite possible it's a 14-0 hole, not for the play Ben Trill made.
14:25 I don't know what happened on that play, if he was at fault or who was,
14:28 but you probably can't respond much better than he did in that moment.
14:31 Absolutely.
14:32 And that's where you get to see identity.
14:34 And, you know, we always talk -- I mean, I'll try to show our guys, you know,
14:38 on Fridays, you know, various clips of, you know,
14:40 around whether it's in NFL or college where your effort, right,
14:45 makes the difference.
14:47 And tonight we saw that.
14:48 And, you know, I'm not going to get into who's fault or all those things,
14:51 but when the moment called for it,
14:53 his effort was the difference maker in that play.
14:56 And he was able to get to him before the goal line,
14:59 obviously, you know, create the fumble.
15:02 It was a huge play in this game, and, you know,
15:05 it speaks to who he is and what he's all about.
15:08 But that was a great play where it just came down to want to
15:12 and will to go finish it.
15:14 Ira, you look really small down here.
15:17 It's kind of weird.
15:19 In the first half, the offense was going through some things,
15:22 but the defense just seemed like they kept plugging away.
15:25 And then late in the game after Benson's touchdown run,
15:27 I saw a lot of defensive guys go over to kind of congratulate the offensive
15:31 line.
15:32 What did you see during --
15:33 I mean, that's what makes this team special.
15:35 It's like there's been times where it's been all units have had to rely on the
15:41 other.
15:42 And, you know, in the first half we had some challenges offensively where,
15:45 I mean, I think we had 300 yards offense,
15:47 but there were some challenging moments.
15:49 And we weren't, you know, executing to finish drives like we wanted to.
15:52 But the defense kept plugging.
15:54 Obviously, we were able to work through it.
15:56 But then, you know, as you see that, you know,
15:59 the continued growth and taking that step, that big touchdown run, I mean,
16:03 you feel this team.
16:04 And it's not just in that moment.
16:05 It was throughout it.
16:06 We got you, coach.
16:07 We got you to the offense, defense, special teams.
16:10 Everybody's in this together.
16:12 So, we don't always know what it's going to look like.
16:14 But you've got to be ready to go out there and obviously play your best
16:18 and whatever the circumstances is, respond to it.
16:21 All right, guys, thanks so much.
16:23 You all be safe.
16:24 Okay.
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