Florida State coach Mike Norvell met with media members following his team’s 31-23 loss to Louisville on Saturday. Below are the questions and answers from Norvell’s press conference.
On defense’s start
“It was really disappointing. First touchdown is…blown coverage, not much reason for it all. Supposed to have a deep safety, didn’t execute very well, gave up the early play. As that went, first half, we couldn’t get off the field on third downs. And that’s something we have to be able to do. I thought our guys, for whatever reason, settled in the second half. The execution was much better and we played to the level we’re capable of playing…but definitely not to that level in the first half.”
On defensive scheme in 2nd half
“There were a couple of tweaks that we had in third downs, but did a better job in our execution. Guys’ awareness of things showed up. And there wasn’t a lot of wholesale changes in what we did.”
On adjustments in run game in 2nd half
“There were, we had a broad spectrum of things we were trying to work. And they had multiple fronts in how they were trying to attack, a lot of twisting up front with the defensive line. They were active. Got after us there early. Weren’t able to establish much. Thought we did a great job with Coach Dillingham and Coach Atkins in some of the adjustments in the run game. Were able to pop some big runs, but it wasn’t enough.”
On 0-4 start, morale of team
“The things we control is how we show up every day and the work we’re willing to invest. This team is working for our identity in what we’re trying to do, and what we’re trying to accomplish. Team came to work last work. Thought they practiced hard. Things that are still showing up, in the first half especially, are just in the moment. Lack of translation to the field. Then in the second half, for whatever reason, we did. However we’re capable of. Still missed opportunities. Had a couple dropped passes, a couple reads we’re got to be better on…but at the end of the day, this team, they want to improve. That’s our objective. To get better. To improve every single day in what we’re doing, to continue to set the foundation of what this team, this program is all about. And that’s work. That’s going out there and playing to the level we’re capable of. You’ve seen flashes of it. I’ve seen a lot of great flashes for what this team can do, just haven’t put it together for 60 minutes. And that’s our job, that’s what we’ve got to do as coaches. Got to start…starting to look at some different combinations of guys. Some guys were available and a couple others were not, which forced some younger guys into more reps. We’ve just got to continue to develop that.
“To the record, it’s where we are and what we’ve earned. Moving forward, what we’re willing to invest is what’s going to be our sole focus for what we receive here moving forward.”
On progress
“At times, just not consistently…We did not start the way you have to start football games. Once again, that’s a reflection on me and how we’ve got to get these guys prepared to come out in the beginning. It’s been something throughout my coaching career that we’ve started out games well, and that’s not showing up the way we need it to. So, continuing to evaluate all things we’re doing. I was pleased with how the guys responded. Like I told them, it’s not shocking to me that they played hard, that they continued to fight, that they put themselves in a position after being down 31-7 in the first half. They fought back. We had plenty of missed opportunities that kept us from winning that game, and we’ve got to continue to get better.”
On QB play, McKenzie Milton
“There were some really good plays and then some plays we’d obviously like to have back. Having Rob Scott back, Rob pushed really hard to be available for this game. There were some things we’ve got to continue to do as we’re growing up up front. Those guys are battling. Struggling a little bit in our depth right now…I thought McKenzie did some really good things that gave us opportunities. Just like in any game, there are plays he’d definitely like to have back, opportunities where we need all 11 to be playing as one.”
On missed opportunities, getting over that hump
“Just continuing to work. You have to put yourself in that moment from how you’re preparing. The fundamental aspects that we hit every day…all those things we’re trying to duplicate over the course of a practice, but it’s got to show up. We’re going to continue to invest the work to build the confidence that in the moment we’re able to go perform the level that we’re capable of. Those things hurt us. At the end of the day, I do believe in our guys and I believe in what they accomplish. Just have to continue to make that investment.”
On defensive growth in 2nd half
“Want that to show up for 60 minutes. That’s what I want to see. These guys are capable, no doubt in my mind. I know the calls, i know the looks, the things that we’re emphasizing through the course of the week. We’ve got to continue to push and play to the level that these guys can go out and execute. You see it through the experience. That was a talented offense, a very good quarterback and a very challenging run game to have to defend. In the second half, we showed that we’re very capable. We’ve got to take those experiences and have to build upon them. In reality, it might not be every person on the team that I would say is all-in. We’ve got to make sure that we have the guys that are willing to push through that, that are willing to prepare and willing to get those guys and put them in those positions because I truly believe this defense and this offense, this football team is an incredible group of young men. As being an 18-22 year old, there’s a lot of emotions going into this game and a lot of pressure they sometimes allow themselves to be distracted by. They’ve got to believe in themselves and got to believe in the work that they put in. The opportunity to respond, we face that there at half time. Nobody was happy in how we played in the first half in any phase, but our guys made the choice. They chose to respond. They chose to go out there and played more focused, they played better, especially defensively. They put us in a position to win. We’ve got to finish that. I’ve been on a lot of great teams, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had one where everyone is all in, but we’re getting the right ones that are continuing to push. I do believe we have some really good leaders, got guys who absolutely care about this program and the direction that we’re going. All I can tell and you guys can see, I know how they’re practicing. I know that they’re coming to work trying to improve, trying to get better. We’ve just got to go out there and execute for 3 and-a-half hours, and be more consistent.”
