Report: FSU Mike Norvell shares “emotional speech” after Orange Bowl loss to Georgia
Florida State Coach Mike Norvell’s voice cracked as he described his team’s tough loss to Georgia.
The Florida State football team became the post child for perceived injustices in college football after an undefeated regular season that left them on the outside looking in of the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Now, the Seminoles are reeling after a 63-3 loss at the hands of the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Prior to the game Georgia football coach Kirby Smart blasted Seminoles players for opting out of the prestigious Orange Bowl game and matchup. The tough loss led to wild reactions on social media.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock during Saturday’s disappointing loss, Norvell welled up with emotion. He offered his honest thoughts on the situation afterward.
A ‘Difficult Night’ for Norvell’s Team
Norvell’s voiced cracked as he spoke about his team’s blowout loss next to Florida State football linebacker Kalen DeLoach at a press conference, whom he called a ‘warrior’ among other key players who he said ‘battled’ vs. the defending champs.
“First off, tonight was a very difficult night,” he said according to a post from Logan B. Robinson on Twitter. “You know it’s been a very difficult month, to be honest with you,” he added while praising his team for their accomplishments over the course of the season.
NFL Draft, Offseason Await Florida State Football
The Seminoles have several NFL Draft prospects including Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman, running back Trey Benson, tight end Jaheim Bell and others.
Which players decide to return to Tallahassee could determine whether Norvell and his team make it to the College Football Playoff’s inaugural 12-team event next winter.
Star quarterback Jordan Travis is among them the Seminoles players who won’t be returning. He summed up his time with Florida State football with a memorable quote earlier this month.
“The great memories created here at FSU will never fade,” he said.
“Even though tonight was a disappointing result, this was a special season:” Mike Norvell speaks after FSU’s blowout loss to Georgia in Orange Bowl
Florida State, down 14 starters from its ACC Championship-winning roster, lost 63-3 to Georgia
Florida State, down 14 starters from its ACC Championship-winning roster, lost 63-3 to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, December 30.
Following FSU’s unprecedented exclusion from the College Football Playoff despite a 13-0 record and Power 5 conference title, multiple starters opted out either due to entrance into the NFL Draft or the transfer portal.
Head coach Mike Norvell hinted at their decision being partly due to the snub in his postgame press conference, saying, “when you do the things that our guys throughout the year, the way that they responded, fought, it did hurt when we were not selected….there were some tough choices that some individuals made.
“I hate that I didn’t get one more game with them, and that’s probably the thing that hurts as much as anything.”
The coach got emotional offering takeaways on the 2023 Seminoles, taking responsibility for the result not fully reflecting the accomplishments of his team this season.
“I’m proud of this football team….it’s a special group that’ll be remembered, and tonight I didn’t do a good enough job of being able to help showcase all of who they are. I take full ownership for all things that happened there on the field tonight.”
“Even though tonight was a disappointing result, this was a special season that will be remembered in Florida State history, and it’s become of these young men.”
“There are going to be times in life where you do all the things right and it doesn’t go your way — maybe you’re not selected where you want to be selected, maybe you’re not chosen maybe you find unexpected adversity. But it’s a response that’s going to showcase the identity of who you are and what you’re about — these guys have responded, they’ve learned a lot of great lessons that are going to carry them throughout their lives.”
The Seminoles’ undefeated regular season was the seventh in school history and it’s the third 13-win season in Tallahassee. FSU beat eight bowl-eligible Power 5 teams (the most in the country) and during the season lead the nation in opponent completion percentage, pass breakups, passes defended and fewest turnovers lost, is second in passing efficiency defense, third in sacks, fourth in passing touchdowns allowed and third-down defense, fifth in turnover margin and net punting and sixth in scoring defense.
