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Mike Norvell excited to face Memphis Tigers: 'I've got unbelievable respect for that program'

peter holland jr., tallahassee democrat
·4 min read

Mike Norvell took a trip back in memory lane to his old head coaching job at Memphis.

Before taking the Florida State football job in December of 2019, Norvell spent four seasons with the Memphis Tigers (2016-19).

On Saturday at noon, the Tigers' visit to Doak Campbell Stadium will become a full-circle moment for Norvell as the Seminoles search for their first win.

"I've got unbelievable respect for that program, a great love for that city," Norvell said.

"It was truly a wonderful experience when we got to live there and got to be a part of that program and continue to try to push and elevate it, really to where it is."

During his tenure, Norvell was 38-16. His last year was 2019. He led the Tigers to a 12-2 season, a program record, an American Athletic title and an appearance in the Cotton Bowl.

Norvell left the Tigers in a better place than when he coached there.

"Memphis will always have a special place in my heart, but this is about our players," Norvell said.

"It's about us going out there and being able to compete, improve, and get an opportunity to showcase all that we are and what we can be against a very talented team."

Norvell looks forward to reuniting with current Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield, his former assistant coach, with whom he stayed in contact after he left.

The Tigers are coming off a 10-win season and are off to a 2-0 start after beating North Alabama 40-0 in their opener and Troy 38-17 last weekend.

"I do believe it's one of the top programs in the country when you look at the success that they've had, that they've been able to sustain," Norvell said.

"Ryan, Coach Silverfield, he's done a great job with the program, continuing to push it on the trajectory that we were on. When you look at what they've done over the last 10, 12 years, it's really been impressive."

FSU's defensive coordinator Adam Fuller revaluates translating practice into games, improving tackling

FSU's defensive coordinator, Adam Fuller, addressed the media about FSU's defense. Fuller echoed Norvell on transitioning practice into games, which the Seminoles haven't done in two games.

"I do adhere with Mike that I do think our guys are going about their work in the right way" Fuller said.

"We got to continue to reevaluate, okay. If you think it's successful in practice, not translating, go back and maybe look at the structure you're doing in practice and maybe giving them in maybe a different way."

Fuller also said that he is continuing to address the weak spots on the defensive side, including tackling fundamentally while handling less contact during practice.

"Everybody has the same challenge," Fuller said.

"It's not just a Florida State thing that all of a sudden we tackle less in practice. It's just execution in place of what we're asking the players to do, who you are asking to do it, and what situation they're being put in."

FSU has struggled in run defense, allowing 453 yards on the ground and on third-down plays, allowing 56 percent of third-down conversions.

The Seminoles also struggled in red zone plays, as their opponents scored seven of the eight attempts inside the red zone.

Fuller does see improvements from the defensive line last week compared to Week 1 against Georgia Tech, where he thought the front played "soft."

However, there are still ways to go until the defensive front plays to their talent level. FSU registered three sacks, which all came against Boston College.

"I thought we were a little bit more physical and stout at the point of the attack on some of those inside runs," Fuller said. "I think we can be a lot better on the edges of just making sure our eyes are right."

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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell looks forward to facing his former team, Memphis Tigers