Doak Campbell Stadium shook Saturday night as Florida State stunned 8th ranked Alabama, and no one sounded prouder than head coach Mike Norvell.
“We wanted to be the aggressor and we were, and our players rose to the challenge,” Norvell said. “I thought you saw a great heart. We’ve talked all year and I’ve used the buzzwords of edge and desperation. Well, that comes from the heart, and you saw heart tonight.”
The Seminoles dominated in the trenches and swarmed on defense. Norvell couldn’t hide his enthusiasm over the effort. “Earl Little was a monster out there today. He was flying around all over the field,” he said. “That was what Florida State football looks like and feels like.”
Even when Alabama landed the first punch, Norvell insisted his team’s response defined the night. “That first drive went so far against what we wanted, but the response and the adjustments and the swarming effect of our defense was remarkable,” he said. “I thought it was a dominant performance on both sides.”
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Norvell reminded everyone that the victory was not about the Crimson Tide. “It wasn’t about Alabama tonight. It was about us. It was about this team, it was about the players that I get to coach, the work they poured into it,” he said.
The head coach also made a point to credit the crowd, calling Doak Campbell a true difference-maker. “Being back in Doak Campbell full capacity, I mean, we felt it. The marching Chiefs, it was rocking tonight,” Norvell said. “It was incredible. That’s why you do this and why you come to Florida State. It is the people that make the place.”
After a turbulent offseason filled with questions about his program, Norvell didn’t mince words about what Saturday meant. “Florida State matters to me and I know what this program means to people that I care so much about,” he said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to represent this job the right way and the way it deserves to be represented.”
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