One week after blasting the officiating at the end of Florida State’s loss to Miami, Mike Norvell offered a more measured perspective following another conversation with ACC Supervisor of Football Officials Gary Patterson.
Norvell said Monday that he respects the way Patterson handled their discussion and understands that mistakes are part of officiating. Still, the FSU coach made clear just how significant those decisions can become when they arrive in the biggest moments.
“Some of those moments can be game changers,” Norvell said. “They can be life changers.”
That comment carries added weight after how Florida State’s 43-35 double-overtime loss at Miami ended.
With FSU trailing by eight and facing fourth-and-21 in the second overtime, quarterback
Ashton Daniels found Micahi Danzy in the end zone for what initially appeared to be a 36-yard touchdown. Left tackle Xavier Chaplin was flagged for holding, wiping out the score and moving the Seminoles back to fourth-and-31. FSU still would have needed a two-point conversion to tie the game.
Daniels’ final desperation throw was then ruled an interception by Miami safety Bryce Fitzgerald after he and Duce Robinson came down with the ball in the end zone. Replay upheld the ruling, ending the game.
Norvell was far more pointed about the holding penalty immediately after reviewing the game, calling it an “absolute joke” and confirming that Florida State had submitted the play to Patterson and the ACC for review.
After speaking with Patterson again, Norvell emphasized the process behind those conversations. Coaches submit plays they have questions about each week, both to receive clarification for their own players and to give the conference an opportunity to evaluate its officials.
“There’s going to be good calls; there are going to be bad calls,” Norvell said. “Sometimes there are just misses, and that’s where he’s able to teach his officials on things that they see or what they think they see.”
Norvell did not publicly reveal what Patterson told him about the Chaplin penalty, saying their discussion would remain between them. Instead, he stressed the stakes attached to decisions made in moments that can alter games, seasons, and potentially much more.
The controversial ending will not change Florida State’s record. The Seminoles remain 3-4 entering their matchup with Clemson, and Norvell acknowledged that controversial calls are ultimately something teams have to accept, learn from, and move past.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Mike Norvell revisits the call that changed FSU’s Miami loss
