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Mike Norvell wants Florida State football to focus on fundamentals before facing Boston College

peter holland jr., tallahassee democrat
·4 min read

Florida State football coach Mike Norvell hasn't installed the complete Boston College game plan just yet. There are still things FSU must correct.

The Seminoles are continuing to recover from their upset lost to Georgia Tech last week. In last few days of practice after their return to Dublin, Ireland. Norvell wanted his Seminoles to focus on the basics.

"I thought we had good energy that day," Norvell said.

"Obviously, today didn't implement some of the details of game plan, but really just trying to have as much focus on the fundamental, techniques, making sure that we're clean and sharp and disciplined and where we're supposed to be, what we're supposed to do."

It is the first since time since 2021 FSU has started the season 0-1. It also the first time since that season Georgia Tech beat a nationally-ranked team, which also happened to be FSU.

Norvell saw the Seminoles are urgent for improvement on both sides of the field as they look to avoid an 0-2 start as they face Boston College on Labor Day at 7:30 p.m. at Doak Campbell Satdium.

"We need that urgency every single day," Norvell said. "Whether it's after a loss, after a win, that's is the objective to go get better."

Ja'Khi Douglas enjoys playing with his brother, Jaylin Lucas, embracing his senior year

As a senior, FSU wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas knows how to handle a loss.

In Dublin, he made his veteran presence known during and after the Georgia Tech game.

"I told them that we can't just go back in the past, but we can fix what's in the future," Douglas said. "Not prevent what's in the future but help us with what we want in the future. I just tell them to keep their eyes up and stay humble."

Douglas led the Seminoles with four catches for 55 yards. He made some key catches, especially on the final scoring drive on fourth down that set up an FSU score that tied the game at 21.

Another bright spot for Douglas is that he was happy to get a chance to play with his brother, Jaylin Lucas, again. It's been about four years since he played with Lucas.

The Indiana transfer was utilized in the backfield and passing game during his FSU debut.

"I've been looking and wishing to get a chance to play with him," Douglas said. "I'm happy to see him on that field, to see him in the backfield, and I'm in the slack. It feels great."

As the Seminoles prepare for their home opener, it didn't come to his attention until he asked about playing his final year at Doak Campbell Stadium.

In the last three years, Douglas recorded 49 catches for 792 yards and five touchdowns.

While he has plenty of time to reflect on his senior year, he takes nothing for granted while enjoying his last go-around in his FSU uniform and receiving a significant role on offense.

"I take it in every practice too. I just think like this is my last practice," Douglas said.

"I'm going to go out there and try to put everything I got out there, but walking into Doak, seeing it and getting chance to play,yeah, I will take it all in and take it deep breath."

How can I watch FSU football vs. Boston College

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 2

  • Time: 7:30 p.m.

  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

  • TV: ESPN

Streaming:ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times

All times Eastern

  • Dec. 7: ACC Championship

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

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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: FSU coach Mike Norvell wants urgency and improving fundamentals