Florida State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) turns to Virginia (3-1, 1-0 ACC) after a 34-7 win over Central Arkansas. Mike Norvell, Tim Harris Jr. and Tony White met with local media after Monday’s practice.
Norvell called it “good to get the victory on the field,” then went straight to the details of the game.
“You always celebrate a win,” Norvell said. “Gave up seven points defensively. Offensively with our first (team) offense, we scored on every drive minus the two-minute drive where we had the interception. I
thought we were cleaner in areas of alignment. But then obviously there are still things that we have to continue to get better at.”
On 10 penalties and seven first downs via flags:
“We had eight fundamental or technique issues that cost us. They had seven first downs by penalty and that’s something that you allowed extended drives, put them in position on their one scoring drive.”
Central Arkansas chewed the fourth quarter with a 20-play drive. FSU kept them out of the end zone, but backups didn’t get the snaps Norvell wanted.
“On our end, the things that we control, don’t allow seven first downs by penalty,” he said. “I think we would have put ourselves in position to play more guys.”
Young players who stood out: Karon Maycock, Jordan Crutchfield and Jasen Lopez.
Norvell on Virginia:
“Offensively, they’re going to come right at you. Their offensive line is extremely experienced and older. They’ve done a good job of being able to control the line of scrimmage.”
“Defensively they’re big, they’re old, they’re experienced. Their linebackers fly around sideline to sideline. We get one-on-one opportunities, we got to go win them.”
On Ashton Daniels’ two-minute interception:
“Expected the back to keep moving, back sat down. That was a miscommunication part where we can grow.”
On the Jayvan Boggs touchdown: “He actually pointed Boggs deep. It was a very heady play by those guys.” Norvell said.
Harris liked the start more than the snap count.
“Our first couple drives were able to score pretty quick,” Harris said. “Even within those scoring drives, there was some plays that weren’t as clean as we would have liked them to be.”
On Boggs (six catches, career-high 122 yards, TD):
“You’ve been kind of just waiting for him to have that breakthrough. To follow it up with a performance like Saturday, all of his teammates were really excited for him.” Harris said.
On Duce Robinson and how Micahi Danzy and Boggs can benefit when teams shade Robinson:
“We feel really good about it with all three of them. Other guys showing up on 1-on-1s helps our offense big picture. Then the coverage has to even out and Duce can have his matchups, too.” Harris said.
Harris on Virginia’s defense: “They’re very well coached, start there. They force the issue with the pressure they bring up front. We’re going to be the aggressor in that.”
On the passing game since SMU: “That’s been a point of emphasis, and our guys have shown that we can do that consistently.” Harris said.
With Sam Singleton Jr. out, Harris said Tre Wisner and Amari Thomas need more work behind Ousmane Kromah.
White said FSU knew Central Arkansas would try to keep the offense off the field. He was most disappointed in the penalties that helped the Bears’ only score, and he apologized to the younger offensive players: “I’m sorry we couldn’t get them off the field.”
On Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula, White compared him to Tim Tebow.
Florida State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) hosts Virginia (3-1, 1-0 ACC) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.
