MIKE NORVELL 8-29
Mike Norvell: Well, first off, just, you’re proud of the guys, to be able to come and finish tonight 1-0. Definitely, it was
great to be able to kick off the season here at home, just coming out of the tunnel. I thought we had an incredible
crowd tonight, a lot of energy, excitement. Definitely a wonderful way to be able to start the 2026 season. As we got
in the game, there’s some good and bad that showed up. Obviously it didn’t go exactly the way we wanted in certain
aspects, there’s some miscommunications, some things that, in the first game that you want to eliminate as much as
possible, or limit as much as possible. Obviously, it cost us in some inopportune moments, we had some penalties
that put us in difficult situations. They had a touchdown called back, that was a four-point swing. We had a blown
coverage that cost us, a couple of touchdowns that, unfortunately, you just can’t have. And then, throughout the
course of the game, just a lot of areas where we’re going to be able to grow and continue to push to get better. But, I
was pleased with our guys just continuing to focus to play the next play. I thought there was some really good drives,
offensively after maybe a drive with a disappointment, we had the turnover early. I thought Ashton (Daniels) did a
good job, following up, after that, with a big drive there for a touchdown the next drive. And then just seeing the way
that we were able to run the football there, especially there in the second half, there were some good opportunities in
a lot of areas where we’re going to go back and watch film and, as you see that some of the decisions, some of the
things that we could correct and areas where we can all grow and get better, in all phases. But, like I said, it was
good to finish tonight 1-0. Now we get to turn our focus to kicking off ACC play, here on Labor Day, but definitely
grateful for everybody that came out. Like I said, a great crowd, a lot of energy, you’re just, excited for us to grow from
here and move forward.
Question: Midway through the 3rd quarter, it’s a 7-point game, they score, how did the guys respond to that, how did
you feel they handled just the emotions? You had a lot of guys playing the first time inside of Doak Campbell
(Stadium). How did you feel all of that was?
Mike Norvell: I thought there was some good and bad with the emotions of how the guys handle (it). You go into it,
obviously as you prepare for a game you, players, coaches, everybody’s picturing the perfect execution, everything
going exactly how you want. We had some mistakes. We had areas that we have to clean up. We have to continue to
get better, but I thought the guys handled that well, to be able to, where it was a close game there in the 3rd quarter,
to be able to take control of it and to be able to finish, winning by multiple scores. That’s something we’ll be able to
point to. Obviously, you compliment the guys for what they were able to do, but obviously, there’s a lot of things
throughout the game that we get to grow and be better from. But, I saw flashes of what you want to see. I saw some
areas where we get to continue to build upon. Obviously there’s going to be a lot of things that we’ll be able to do
here this next week that will help put us in the best position for next time we get on the field.
Question: How did you feel you performed on both sides of the line in the trenches, offensive line, communication-
wise, defensive line, pass rush-wise?
Mike Norvell: Well, I thought on the o-line, they did a good job mixing the front on different things, trying to jumble up
the inside. I thought we got better as the game went on. There were some things early that didn’t react as quick as
what I’d like to see. But, I thought our perimeter run game was strong, but, obviously, there were some things that we
needed to improve upon. We ended up rushing over 200 yards there. We had a couple of big runs and then there
were still some other opportunities that I thought we could have taken advantage of, which, going back and watching,
I think everybody will be better moving forward with it. Then, on the defensive side of the ball, I saw some great
flashes of being able to create pressure. We didn’t do a ton there defensively in the attack. You want to see, guys go
and be able to get to the quarterback. I think we’ve got three quarterback sacks. I thought New Mexico State did a
good job of working to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly, but, he got hit a lot tonight and, I thought
our guys, there were still a couple of newcomers where you saw just a little bit of hesitation and some moments
where we could I think just be cleaner with our overall execution. But, you definitely saw some flashes that I liked,
areas that we get to grow on from film.
Question: What do you make of Ashton (Daniels’) ability to make some plays out of structure when the protection
started to break down? That’s where the interception came. That’s also where the touchdown came on the early
scramble and on the scramble drill where they hit Sam (Singleton Jr.) for the other touchdown.
Mike Norvell: I thought there was some good and bad with all of it. With Ashton, he’s got ability to extend plays and
that’s something that’s going to be a great strength for him on the interception. Obviously when it happens, he was
extremely disappointed in the decision that he made, but obviously, there’s something that we get to grow from, just
in his ownership of the down. Where that was, there’s times we’re going to be really aggressive in it and then
obviously times that maybe the throwaway or the run is a better option, but he’s he handled himself really well in that
and I thought that being able to get the ball to the backs, being able, they were playing. They tried to eliminate a lot of
the vertical shot games. We had to work through different progressions. I thought there was some good and bad with
that. We had one, an early sack that came off of linebacker and twist. It was well executed by them, but something
that we’ll continue to grow from in that as well. I thought Ashton, there was, all-in-all, I thought he did what he needed
to do, but still a lot of areas where he’s going to be able to take a step here as we go into this next week.
Question: Mike, we talked to Sam (Singleton Jr.), there aren’t a lot of guys in his position that might even be here
after a couple of years not being a starter. Why do you think he stayed? What were those conversations? Is this what
you envisioned and told him he could be if he stayed, even bringing in another transfer?
Mike Norvell: Sam’s a guy that’s a really talented football player. He’s growing, just in all areas. I was proud of him to
see his impact in all three phases of it. The return game had a big kickoff return. Obviously, you had some good runs,
but then you’re also catching the ball out of the backfield was great to see and to see his confidence growing and
what we do. Obviously, the opportunities there for what Sam did and then Ousmane (Kromah) having over 100 yards
rushing on 14 carries. Tre (Wisner) having some good plays out there. That was something that is encouraging for
this year and just the versatility of what we have in the backfield, but also the impact that those guys can have in a lot
of areas. I think Sam is a wonderful example of that. To answer your question, yes, I envisioned him and the
explosiveness he has in the different areas that he could impact, and I think he saw the same thing. It was a great
start for him to this season, and we’re expecting big things as we continue to move forward.
Question: The defense obviously did a good job against the run, but some of those 3rd-down conversions, how
much of that was miscommunication, how much of that was just getting beat?
Mike Norvell: There are a couple of both. Obviously the two coverage on the touchdowns, that can’t happen. We’ve
got to be better in communication, obviously, execution on that of being able to go do the job of what we need to do in
that moment. And then there were some things that we’re going to have to get better where we got beat, whether it
was being a little bit too soft in our coverage or just trusting what we saw as it unfolded. There was a few details with
a couple of guys that have been newcomers that we get to clean up when it comes to some of the underneath
coverage aspects of it. But at the end of the day, you see the potential that is there, right? Obviously, we had some
mistakes tonight, 3rd down, when you give up what we gave up on 3rd down, that has to get corrected. I think it’s a
very capable group and we will get that addressed and obviously, doing all that moving forward all will be better.
Question: Ethan (Pritchard) just walking down to the field, saying that he was going to walk down the field on game
one. How did it really feel for you having to see him overcoming that adversity after last year’s tragedy.
Mike Norvell: That’s one of the most remarkable experiences that I’ve ever been a part of. Ethan told me, I guess it
was eight-nine months ago that, that he was going to do that. That was when he was confined to a wheelchair. To
see his mental toughness, to see his work, to see his belief, his faith, every bit of it. The people surrounding him, he
had a purpose of what he wanted to do. The good Lord, he guided and helped him along this journey. He’s our
walking miracle. I’ve said that seeing him, being able to take part of that with him, something I’ll never forget. It was
awesome for the crowd and the embrace for him was truly special. I definitely appreciate everybody for that.
Question: With Sam (Singleton Jr.) having an impact as a kick returner, a rusher, and a receiver tonight, is his
dynamic playmaking ability something you tend to lean on? Are you going to lean on that more this season as the
season progresses?
Mike Norvell: Obviously the versatility which he brings, we wanted him to impact every way that he possibly can. To
be able to have a running back room, like I said, with Ous (Ousmane Kromah), for some of the things that Tre
(Wisner) was able to do, I think that’s going to be a fun trio of guys that can be ready, be available. Then, obviously
go out there, you get the job done when their number’s called. But with Sam, all the things that he’s able to do, I
definitely think it makes it easier and I was glad to see him execute those things with the moment tonight.
Question: Chris Jones was saying earlier that some of the 3rd down conversions that you guys gave up tonight were
just some things that you didn’t necessarily see on film from New Mexico State, but the execution still needs to be
better. What are you seeing on those 3rd downs that led to some of those bigger plays when it was in 3rd and 7, 3rd
and 8, 3rd and 9?
Mike Norvell: Ultimately, they had a good plan to be able to try to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quick.
There’s some of the anticipation throws, I think right off three of the 3rd and long were things that we were in control
of and we did not execute, whether it’s communication, leverage, the overall assignment, those are things that we’ve
got to own and improve upon. Obviously, they had a couple of guys that made good catches in those moments,
quarterback located the ball well. Sometimes you are gonna get beat in those one-on-one situations if, as I tell the
guys, make them be perfect. Make them have to locate the ball in the right place, in the right spot, right time. You
never want to lose on a rep, but, if they hit it in the right spot, then you go and play the next play. What we can’t have
is where it’s self-inflicted where we’re not putting ourselves in the best position to be able to get off the field. That
happened too many times tonight, but, we’re going to get that corrected.
Question: Q (Quindarrius) Jones, he’s stuck around with this program for a while. You’ve seen him grow mentally off
the field, on the field now. He gets to start tonight. He has a PBU, gets the interception in the end zone. Take us
through the growth from him, his mentality, and what you’re going to expect from him this season.
Mike Norvell: We have big expectations with him. Ja’Bril (Rawls), those guys have been through it. Both of them,
going into their fourth year just to see he journey that they’ve been on, the ups and downs. Q’s dealt with different
injuries that have kind of limited him, but he’s a big corner, plays physical. He’s got great speed, just overall ability.
The consistency of his execution, the consistency of, you’ll be able to put his playmaking on display, to see him come
up with an interception, a couple of good plays tonight. I think that that’s going to do nothing but help his confidence.
Continue to see him ascend as the season progresses because he’s definitely got to be a great player for us, have
big expectations for what that’s going be.
All right, thank you guys. Have a great night.
