The start of Florida State’s season was not what head coach Mike Norvell and his staff had hoped for. The Seminoles’ first regular-season defeat since 2022 came in a big upset loss to Georgia Tech, a 24-21 conference setback in Ireland as strong favorites. The FSU offensive and defensive lines, which came into the game were regarded as some of the best in the country, were subjugated by the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech outrushed the ‘Noles 190 to 98 and earned seven tackles for loss and a sack. The team was coming off a 7-6 season under head coach Brent Key in his second year.
After an eventful offseason marred by controversy over last season’s College Football Playoff snub, FSU had an opportunity to redeem itself on the field. But for now, Tallahassee’s commotion has subsided due to Tech’s stumble. Norvell was not amused by the loss. In an angry post-game speech, he claimed responsibility for FSU’s performance and pledged to have his squad prepared better. “Everybody knows we’re better than what we just put out on that field,” he stated. And ultimately, that is all up to me. Thus, I am to blame for it. Additionally, I’ll prepare you better. I’m going to continue pushing the envelope more effectively.
VIDEO: Head football coach Mike Norvell addressing the team after losing to Georgia Tech in the season opener.
How will Florida State respond in their next contest to Georgia Tech? 🤔 #GoNoles #NoleFamily #collegefootball #explorepage pic.twitter.com/vPOnxv4yvt
— Norvell Central (@CentralNorvell) August 27, 2024
Norvell went on, “Be who you say you want to be.” “Don’t let an awful result change what this football teams is all about…” With a long season ahead of them, it is Norvell’s responsibility to utilize the setback as fuel for the Seminoles and to get his team back on track. Ultimately, the days of a season being derailed by a single loss are long gone. In spite of a setback, clubs like FSU may still compete for a national championship because to the 12-team playoff format expansion.
On Monday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), FSU will return to action at home against Boston College. After missing out on the No. 3 Seminoles by two points the previous year, the Eagles showed themselves to be a formidable opponent. ESPN Bet presently has FSU as a 15.5-point favorite.
Days before the game, a former South Carolina football receiver discovers a new residence via the transfer portal.
In order to make place for new wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his coaching staff added five wide receivers via the transfer portal after losing Xavier Legette and a number of other wide outs this offseason. With the expectation of joining the receiving rotation, Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina Chanticleers), Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville Cardinals), Gage Larvadain (Miami (OH) RedHawks), Vandrevius Jacobs (Florida State Seminoles), and Dalevon Campbell (Nevada Wolfpack) all joined the team.
But one of those receivers abruptly parted ways with his South Carolina Gamecocks teammates last week. Ahmari Huggins-Bruce quit the program after being unable to get into the two-deep. Huggins-Bruce moved rapidly to re-enroll at the University of Louisville, and on Tuesday, just days before the team’s opening week of play, he returned to the Louisville Cardinals roster following just a few months with the Gamecocks.
Huggins-Bruce made his practice field debut with the Cardinals on Tuesday, according to a press release from the school. Huggins-Bruce may be a walk-on or a scholarship player at this stage; nevertheless, as a recent college graduate, he should be qualified to play for Louisville should Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals coaching staff permit it.
Huggins-Bruce’s departure doesn’t significantly alter the Gamecocks’ wideout strategy. Vandrevius Jacobs and Jared Brown were both listed as starters on the Gamecocks’ official depth chart, which was made public on Monday. Gage Larvadain, Mazeo Bennett, Luke Doty, and Payton Mangrum are still in a heated positional competition. At least in the early going of the season, those six wideouts along with Nyck Harbor, Tyshawn Russell, and Dalevon Campbell will handle the majority of the snaps at the position.
At 4:15 PM ET on Saturday afternoon, the Gamecocks and Old Dominion Monarchs will square off at Williams-Brice Stadium. The SEC Network will carry the game, and the ESPN app will stream it.
