Florida State head coach Mike Norvell met with reporters Monday following the Seminoles’ 43-35 double-overtime loss to No. 3 Miami on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. and defensive coordinator Tony White followed with their weekly press conferences.
Norvell opened on the result and the effort against a team that entered the game ranked No. 1 in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
“I had high expectations for what we would accomplish there Saturday night and
unfortunately we did not. We had our chances and we’re not in the business of being close. We’re not in any moral victories of it. … I’m a proud coach for how a team played and for the way that staff had those guys prepared.”
“Against a team that going in the game was number one offense and number one defense in the country, I thought there were some good things that showed up and our guys competed. Unfortunately, it was not enough to win the game.”
Norvell addressed the late holding call and the Hail Mary review.
“You have the holding call, which was an absolute joke. … I called and talked to Gary Patterson, head of officials. … It’s a shame … for those kids not to be able to finish the game on the field in that moment was really disappointing.”
“From what I’ve been told is that simultaneous possession never even came up in the conversation of review. … When they both come to the ground, simultaneous possession, that has to be a part of the discussion.”
On the season-ending injury to running back Ousmane Kromah:
“Unfortunate. The injury with Ous it’s heartbreaking for me. … He’ll miss the remainder of this season. He was here last night in good spirits for his teammates, but everybody’s hurting for him. … Just a really special young man and very tough, and he’ll definitely be missed for the remainder of the year but does open up the door for opportunities for other guys.”
He noted the bye week will be used for personnel adjustments and development.
“We’re going into a bye, you know, I thought our guys we came right back to work. … We’re going to utilize this bye week to make some adjustments that are I think are necessary when it comes to make sure our personnel, the positions we put guys in. We have some guys that in some positions that are really thin just due to injury. … Excited about some opportunities for some younger players that you get to emerge.”
“Pleased but there’s a high level (of) expectation. … This group is capable and there was more out there. … If we’ll capitalize on our opportunities … this can be an offense that grows throughout the back part of this season.”
Norvell on the path forward.
“I’m disappointed in the results that we’ve had but I’m seeing some really positive steps for what we could grow to be. … Play like that and you can win the rest of the games on your schedule. … I believe in this team.”
Harris on the screen game and running back depth:
“Screen game is everybody involved. … We executed (the screens) well for the most part.”
“I got the utmost confidence that, you know, Tre (Wisner) will take on even more of a role than he has. … Amari (Thomas) is going to get his opportunities. … All these guys are here waiting for an opportunity.”
White on the defense’s process and the result:
“During the game, you can feel like the process during the week allowed them to go out there and play that way. … I wish we had finished off the game like that. You know, we didn’t end the game that way, which is the most disappointing thing.”
FSU (3-4, 1-3 ACC) has a bye before hosting Clemson on Halloween at Doak Campbell Stadium.
