Mike Norvell says FSU football is 'pissed off and grateful' ahead of final home game

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Mike Norvell said his Florida State football team is “pissed off and grateful” ahead of the Seminoles’ final home game of the season against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The description of his Seminoles (4-5, 1-5 ACC) team comes after a 24-10 loss to Clemson that has put any chances of a bowl game in serious jeopardy.

With a senior night showdown against the Hokies ahead of the Seminoles, Norvell feels his team has practiced well after the disaster at Clemson. For him, Saturday is a chance for his players to go “play their best game” while honoring the seniors and trying to course correct a season in a tailspin.

“Pissed off and grateful is a good combination. Because there is a lot of gratitude for the opportunity that they have, with who they get to work with. We get to play our last home game. Our fans have been incredible, through the course of this year or here at home, you feel it,” Norvell said.

“It’s going to be the last experience for some of these guys. Regardless of if it’s one of the 20 guys that are going to be recognized, the majority of guys that are going to play still have eligibility after this year,” Norvell said. “For that group, it’s, ‘we are going to respect the guys who are playing their last one, we are going to respect this university, but I want to go play my best game.’ That’s what I’m looking for.”

How his message and what he sees from the Seminoles in practice translate to the field against Virginia Tech is impossible to predict, given the team’s inconsistency, but Norvell needs a good performance. Any chances of salvaging a bowl game out of the season start with a win over the Hokies, before finishing the year with two games on the road.

The Seminoles are winless on the road this year and haven’t won a road game since November of 2023. A bowl game would require at least one, if not two, road wins from FSU. Those road games have been littered with missed oppurutnies and plays, all of which Norvell said the team needs to own up to.

Norvell feels the Virginia Tech game is a chance to showcase the team’s growth from the mistakes that have shown up throughout the season.

“Owning that and being able to grow from it is critical for our own path of where we are going and what’s in front of us. I do see and feel a team that has an unbelievable sense of urgency for that. It’s been a quality week, but like I said, everything has to point to overall execution come Saturday.”

After starting the season with an upset victory over Alabama, fighting for bowl eligibility against Virginia Tech in the home finale is a reminder of the inconsistent nature of the season.

With Norvell’s confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of kickoff, including their “pissed off and grateful” mindset, he expects a strong finish to the Seminoles’ home schedule.

“We are excited about the chance to finish up our home schedule,” Norvell said. “We want to do it in a remarkable way.”

How to watch FSU football vs. Virginia Tech

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 15 / 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium / Tallahassee, Florida
  • Watch: ACC Network

FSU schedule 2025

Here is Florida State‘s schedule and results. All times Eastern.

  • Aug. 30: vs Alabama | W 31-17
  • Sept. 6: vs East Texas A&M | W 77-3
  • Sept. 13: Bye
  • Sept. 20: vs Kent State | W 66-10
  • Sept. 26: at Virginia* | L 46-38 (2OT)
  • Oct. 4: vs Miami* | L 28-22
  • Oct. 11: vs Pittsburgh* | L 34-31
  • Oct. 18: at Stanford* | L 20-13
  • Oct. 25: Bye
  • Nov. 1: vs Wake Forest* | W 42-7
  • Nov. 8: at Clemson* | L 24-10
  • Nov. 15: vs Virginia Tech* | 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 21: at NC State* | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
  • Nov. 29: at Florida | TBA
  • Record: 4-5 (1-5 in ACC)

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell wants a strong finish to FSU football’s home schedule

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