TALLAHASSEE – Defensive end Jared Verse and running back Trey Benson were recognized as ACC Players of the Week Monday for their performance in Florida State’s 24-15 win at Florida last weekend.
Verse, from Dayton, Ohio, had six tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a career-high 2.5 sacks against the Gators, including a pair of sacks on Florida’s drive late in the fourth quarter. He forced a fumble on his final sack – his first as a Seminole – and his 3.0 tackles for loss tied the most for any Seminole this season.
Trailing 15-14 entering the fourth quarter, Verse led a Seminole defense that held Florida to minus-15 yards of offense and had four sacks over the final 15 minutes. The Gators had 86 passing yards in the game.
Verse was also named the Reese’s Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week.
Benson, from Greenville, Mississippi, scored all three of FSU’s touchdowns in the game, on runs of 1, 36 and 26 yards. Benson’s 1-yard touchdown got FSU on the board 26 seconds before halftime and cut the deficit to 12-7. On FSU’s opening drive of the second half, Benson broke free for a 36-yard touchdown to give FSU the lead.
In the fourth quarter with FSU leading 17-15, Benson took a 3rd-and-3 handoff 26 yards for his third score. Benson’s three rushing touchdowns matched a career-high from the Southern Miss game this year and against the Gators last season. He is the only Seminole in series history with three rushing touchdowns in a game against Florida.
Benson’s 14 rushing touchdowns this year are tied for seventh in program history and his 23 career rushing touchdowns are tied for 13th.
Benson is a six-time ACC Running Back of the Week over the last two years, including earlier this season after he ran for 200 yards against Virginia Tech. Verse was the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week last season after Florida State’s win vs. LSU.
Undefeated No. 4 Florida State (12-0) takes on No. 15 Louisville (10-2) Saturday in the ACC Championship Game. The Seminoles and Cardinals did not meet during the regular season. Saturday’s game will air on ABC at 8:00 p.m.
Florida State University
Football Media Conference
Monday, November 27, 2023
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Coach Mike Norvell
Press Conference
COACH NORVELL: Coming off a game Saturday night,
just going back and watching it, seeing the way that our
guys played, the way they responded, so very proud of our
football team.
And there was adversity. Definitely not the start we
wanted. Just really in all phases had some mistakes there
early.
Defensively, I think allowed five of the first six third-down
conversions. They were able to have two extended drives,
really kept one possession of the ball. We had one
possession in the first half, went three and out. And you
never want to do that. We struggled to really get any
rhythm or anything going there early.
But being on the road in hostile, adverse situations that
showed up, our team just did a remarkable job of being in
control of the things they could control, of going out there
and playing disciplined, being able to respond to way
they’re trained to respond. Their heart and determination,
just the whole team as a group did the things that were
necessary.
The two-minute drive offensively to go down and score in
the first half was huge. Tate made a couple of great
throws on that drive, had a couple of big plays that we
definitely needed.
And then to be able to come back there in the first drive of
the second half and had a couple of third-down
conversions, big run. It was everything that we needed.
And you have those rivalry games. You know there’s going
to be the momentum swings. You know there’s going to be
the ups and downs. And our guys, they were unbelievably
confident throughout, and even through some of the
challenges that we faced. They were able to rise up. And
just really proud of them.
I thought a couple guys I mentioned yesterday to the team,
I thought Akeem Dent played his best football game since
he’s been at Florida State. He was absolutely remarkable.
And some of the tackles he made in the open field against
really talented backs was impressive.
I thought that he played with confidence. Whether we were
blitzing him, whether he’s in coverage, whether he had to
make those face plays, he was on it. And really proud of
that young man. He’s continued to get better.
We have big expectations for him, and you just see him
continue to grow even in his last year of eligibility. It’s
impressive to see. And we need to continue that as we go
into it this week, but I wanted to make mention of him.
I thought Ja’Khi Douglas’ play on fourth down was a huge
play in the game. Tate did a great job getting the ball out.
Ja’Khi only had the one catch but what a big one. That’s a
guy that’s really made a wonderful impact for us.
He had a huge game at Pitt. Made a couple of big plays
throughout the course of the year. And that was a big play
in a big moment to continue to drive to let us go down and
put the game-leading field goal there at the end.
So just proud of our guys, proud of the resiliency they
showed. It was definitely a team win. Defensively it was
awesome in the second half. And it was what we needed.
And to finish up the regular season undefeated was big for
us, big for our program, puts us in position this week as we
get a chance to go compete for an ACC Championship.
It’s going to be one heck of a matchup. Got all the respect
in the world for Louisville and who they are. You see the
playmakers that they have. You see the coaching staff and
the schemes. This is a very complete football team —
offense, defense, special teams.
They’re going to challenge. They’ve got explosive players.
It’s going to be a heck of a game. And we’re excited for the
opportunity. Got a lot of belief in our team and what we
can do.
Like I told our guys yesterday, I’m extremely excited
because we’re 12 games into the season, and I see areas
for improvement. I see a lot of areas where we get to
continue to grow and get better. And I see a football team
that’s hungry for that.
That started last night. Went out, had a very spirited
practice. I thought our guys did a great job in the weight
room. They went out on the practice field, really locked in
the meeting rooms to find the corrections, make the
corrections and work to apply to get better throughout the
course of this week, and we got off to a great start on
Sunday.
I can’t wait to get out on the practice field. You’ll hear
tomorrow and continue to take the strides that are
necessary to go be better than what we’ve been.
It was a big win. And obviously anytime you can be state
champs and to do that for back-to-back years it’s
something that’s more important to our program and
definitely one that will be talked about and remembered.
Q. Tate, how did he come out of the game physically
feeling? And secondly how much easier is it for a guy
to make a second start after making a first start in
terms of all the other stuff is dismissed because you’re
doing it again?
COACH NORVELL: I think for that to be your first start of
the year and first start in a couple of years for Tate, there
was a lot that goes to it. And playing in that game, that
rivalry, in that environment, it’s a lot. And I thought he did a
good job.
There’s some things operationally that we’ve got to
continue to be better. We had a couple of delay-of-game
penalties. And I think anytime you’re around Tate, you see
he is a hard person to get rattled. He’s going to be pretty
steady in all things that he does. I think he showed that in
the course of the game.
But just the urgency and communication, he sees
everything right. There were a couple times we let the
clock get down on us and we were rushed in a couple of
moments. Those are things that I think will be an area that
will be improved upon this week, just because of the
comfort of repetition.
And there was a lot. It was a challenge to communicate.
We’ve got to do a good job around him making sure that 10
other guys are operating as fast as we can as well. But
that was one thing that we pulled out the game that we
know that we have to be better at.
His demeanor and confidence he had throughout the
course of the game is something that you can feed off of.
And he had a couple of really big throws, the third down to
Johnny in the red zone on the first touchdown drive.
Obviously the throw to Jaheim.
And starting out the second half the crossing route to
Johnny was just a big throw in a big moment, one of those
plays — I already mentioned the Ja’Khi throw — those are
those times in the game that you need somebody to step
up. And he did a great job of that.
Obviously got hit pretty good there when he was sliding
down. I was glad he was able to come back in the game. I
think I mentioned yesterday in the press conference, when
he got the clearance and he came over and told me he
was good — actually the play we scored on with Trey was
basically a double call where he had to see the low kid to
make the check. And it ended up in a 26-yard touchdown.
And I appreciate his preparation and what he was able to
do and what he did in helping lead us to victory.
Q. Seemed pretty obvious that Florida was like
focusing on Keon, was not going to let him beat him.
He’s had couple games where he was a little more
quiet. Is there something you guys can do differently
to scheme him open or just taking what the defense
gives at that point?
COACH NORVELL: He had some opportunities.
Obviously you look, we were limited in overall play
numbers. The time of possession part of that game was
something that made it difficult.
But you try to give guys opportunities. And there were
some that were in his control and some that were out of his
control. And there were things that, where we can be
better.
And ultimately he’s a phenomenal player, and we want him
to be able to make a positive impact on every game. And
he did. He had a big catch there that opening drive of the
second half. Obviously his punt return was a huge play in
the drive to go and regain the lead.
So he’s going to make an impact. Obviously we want to
give him as many opportunities to impact the game in a
positive way as we can. We’ll continue with that.
I thought Johnny played really well. I thought other guys
were able to make their presence felt. And that’s going to
be a part of this week is trying to find ways to get our
playmakers and put them in the best position to go make
plays.
Q. Rebuild of a program, the growth often isn’t linear,
but for you guys it’s been pretty remarkable — going
regular-season wins, three to five to nine to 12. I
guess what do you think’s been the biggest key to the
gradual improvement the last few years have been?
And how much a testament of the players buying into
all the steps that it was going to take to get here?
COACH NORVELL: It all goes to the players. The players
are the ones — they’ve made the commitment. They put in
the work. You can set a standard, but if people aren’t
willing to push to the standard and hold themselves
accountable to it — I’ve got an incredible staff. Our staff
meeting this morning, the constant challenge for
improvement, for growth. We have to work as a staff to be
an example of that.
I think you’ve got to be humble in the work and to the work.
Anybody can start feeling good about what you are what
you’ve done or what you’ve been able to accomplish or,
trust me, what I said earlier, one of the things I’m most
excited about, we’re 12-0. You have an undefeated regular
season. It’s the fourth time in program history that you’ve
been 12-0 in a season.
Where do you go from here? There’s nothing to be
satisfied with. You’re appreciative of the work you put in.
But I want better. And these players want better. We want
to see that next step to be taken.
And this week you get to play in a conference
championship. You win the game, all things are in front of
you.
So I’m grateful for every player, for every coach, the entire
department and the support staff, all the investment that’s
gone in is to see those positive steps. But we’re just
getting started to where we’re going. I absolutely believe
that.
When you have a special group of people you get to do
this with, you want all. You want to see all the things they
can do, all that they can accomplish. And it’s a daily
journey. And we have the choice today of what we want it
to look like.
If we’re willing to continue to push and continue to strive for
that improvement, then I think you’ll find good things on the
other end of it.
Q. You mentioned yesterday in the conference call the
slow starts in the last few games, not starting as well
as you guys would like. I think you mentioned also
they were emotional games. How does that manifest?
Is it just letting details slip? Why do you think some of
those things have happened?
COACH NORVELL: It’s a combination. It’s not just one
area, it’s been a variety of things that have shown up early
where we have to be better. And I think I definitely don’t —
I’m pleased with the response. It’s heck of a lot more
stressful when you start off the way we have the last two
weeks.
But our guys are prepared. They understand. It comes
down to the execution of all the things that you worked
throughout the course of a week. And there were a couple
of third-down conversions we gave up. All the right
intentions — eyes are right; just a small fundamental here
or there that lost leverage, gain leverage. A little bit more
communication in that time.
So those things sometimes happen early in the game. And
you’ve got to take a deep breath and you’ve got to go and
respond and make the correction or just have a little bit
more focus on the finer elements of putting yourself in the
best position.
We saw that there in the very first drive. I think I might
have mentioned after the game, Trey Benson had an
unbelievable game as the game went on. That first run he
had, I was pretty frustrated with the first run.
All the things that you work and you do — and he knows it.
And he came over and said, Coach — he knew
immediately. But it’s just in those times where you want to
do everything for your team and you want this to be the
perfect game. You want it to be — you don’t have to go and
almost do too much.
Sometimes I think you see that in those emotional games.
We’ll have an emotional game come Saturday. All we
need to do is just go be us.
We know we’re playing a great opponent. We know we’re
going to play in a great atmosphere and it’s going to be all
the things you want to be able to play in a championship
game. But just go play your game. And trust what you
see, trust your fundamentals, and I think that will help
contribute to getting to a better and faster start that we’re
accustomed to.
Q. On the sacks that Tate took — the one in the end
zone and I think there was one in the second half, too
— is that just a matter of more reps, more live game
reps — you know what I mean, like, the pocket feel and
presence, is that something that comes with more
reps?
COACH NORVELL: The third down, we got zero blitzed.
And we knew that was a potential of what we could face
and what we would see. There are things we have to
clean up and just trusting what we saw and reacting
accordingly.
And then the second one was really — it was a coverage
sack that they matched up the concept really well. They
got a good push inside and the pocket collapsed on him.
Those are the two — there were two different extremes —
but I think the thing I was proud of Tate, as much as
anything, is he came out of that game and he did not put
the ball in jeopardy.
We knew that was one of the key components of this
game. And sometimes when you face that, whether you
face a house blitz, if you just throw the ball up or if those
things happen, you’re putting yourself in harm’s way.
Even on the second sack, where everything was covered
down, they did a really nice job in it, not necessarily forcing
it. Obviously he was trying to work himself out of the
pocket and to be able to be a threat with that. But I thought
it was something he did really well.
Then the pass to Ja’Khi was the exact same presentation
of pressure of what we were sacked on. And he saw it.
He reacted. He put the ball where it needed to be. And
that was one of the biggest plays in the game.
You saw growth and progression throughout it. But those
are all part of those learning experiences and things that
you practice and the early application of it there within a
contest.
Q. I know it’s a new coach and different team and all
that, but the fact that Louisville was the team that Tate
had to come in and beat last year, does that give him
extra confidence going into this game?
COACH NORVELL: It’s a different team. They’ve got a lot
of new players, some guys that are returning, guys we’re
familiar with. But it is the next game. It’s the next
opportunity.
You’re playing in a championship game, getting a chance —
the two best teams in the ACC are going to square off.
We’ve gotta go — and every player, no matter how many
games you played up to this point, how many games you
started — you’ve got to go be your best in this one; for Tate,
for all. We all have to push ourselves to that level this
week, and I know we’re all excited about the opportunity.
Q. I know you take pride in what other FSU athletic
programs do. Volleyball won the ACC, co-ACC
champion, they’ll be playing Friday. And soccer is
playing the College Cup on Friday. How much
excitement do you feel when other programs are doing
great and you’re in the ACC Championship the same
weekend?
COACH NORVELL: It’s awesome. And for all the
programs right now to see the continued progression.
Coach Pensky and what they’re doing in soccer, it’s
exciting. Coach Poole in volleyball, it’s remarkable the
season they’re having.
And as we all continue to aspire for more and put our best
foot forward, it’s what makes Florida State special. This is
an athletic department and university that’s striving for
excellence.
And we’re trying to do that on the field but also with what
we’re doing off the field. When you’re around successful,
like-minded people that have a desire and a push and
achieve to the best of our ability, it’s contagious within a
department.
We are huge fans of all the programs. With basketball
starting off and Brooke, they’ve started off with a great
start. Leonard and the basketball team had one setback
but came back with a remarkable response in a Top 25
win.
That’s what this department is about. We have great
people, great student-athletes. Just really grateful for the
opportunity we get to represent it. And obviously we have
our shot come Saturday night.
Q. Wanted to ask you about two Louisville
playmakers. Jawhar Jordan. What impresses you as a
running back? And Jamari Thrash as a receiver, what
makes him such a difficult matchup?
COACH NORVELL: Both those guys are tremendous
playmakers. Jordan is fast, he’s strong, he’s tough. He’s
got really good balance and feet. If he gets in the open
field he’s got game-changing speed. He’s a dynamic
player and plays in a great system that creates space for
him. He knows what to do when he gets it.
It’s going to be a great challenge for our guys. I think
they’ve got three backs that are really, really good. So
definitely a great backfield.
Thrash, he’s so good with the ball in his hands. He’s a guy
that can win in routes. He can change directions. He does
have the vertical play-making ability. But when he gets the
ball in his hands he’s tough to bring down.
He’s a catch-and-run type of player. You’ve got to be on
top of him in a sense of being sticky in coverage and not
allowing him to get too much space. And obviously
whenever he does get his hands on the ball you have to
rally to get him down. If not, he can definitely make you
play.
Q. They ran the ball 44 out of 60 plays. Did you expect
them to run that much? And how do you think the
defense fared in the rushing attack?
COACH NORVELL: We did. We expected them to.
Having a young quarterback that was really kind of a dual
threat, we knew there would be probably more of those
opportunities that would present themselves.
And I thought our guys did a good job. There were a few
things fit-wise we got misaligned, had a couple of misfits
that allowed bigger runs than what we wanted. But I
thought our guys, they battled.
And they were tough, they were physical. I thought you
sensed the pursuit and obviously that physical nature of
what we wanted to play with.
Because it’s a big offensive line. Couple of really talented
backs, and just the dynamic what the quarterback brought
to it.
But I was proud of our guys. And to be able to make the
adjustments there in the second half to try to eliminate
some of those bigger runs that they had had, it was
impressive.
We were able to create a good number of TFLs and
explosive plays defensively. And those guys, they did a
great job.
Q. You made mention about, in July, you guys had a
plan for where you wanted to be in December and that
it’s kind of come to fruition. Was it a supreme
confidence you would be 12-0 at this point? Was it
hallmarks through the season where you wanted to
have certain guys here in October and then have them
perform this way in December? Could you talk a little
more about that?
COACH NORVELL: You want to see progression. I know
we talked about it the last few years, but you want to be
pushing and playing your best ball in November so you can
go into December and have these opportunities.
And to be able to go through the year undefeated, that’s a
great thing. But you want to make sure that you’re putting
your players in a position that they are building throughout
the course of the year.
And guys get bumps. They get bruises. You get tired. It’s
part of the journey. But you don’t want to see the fatigue to
show up in their performance.
You’ve got to be smart with them. You’ve got to make sure
you’re taking care of them. But you’re also building them
up throughout the season, and it all points to times like this.
This is what you do it for, to be able to play in a
championship game, to be able to carry that over into all
things that are beyond.
So do I want to be 12-0? Absolutely, yes. To say we knew
exactly that it would be that, we felt like if we prepared and
put our guys in the best position that they could achieve to
all that they could. And they’ve done that to this point.
Obviously we have a plan this week of what we want it to
look like and what we believe we need to go play our best
game come Saturday night. We’ve got to go execute that
plan.
Q. The offensive line, it seemed a game where they
had challenges with the opponent. And then also with
maybe some injuries that they were fighting through.
It seemed they endured throughout the game. Could
you talk about if, is grit the right word?
COACH NORVELL: They had that. We’ve got good depth
on the offensive line, but it’s definitely been tested. Guys —
Rob Scott, he’s a guy that started three years here and
he’s had a challenging year just of what he’s had to deal
with physically in trying to get himself available throughout
the course of the week.
We feel like he’s getting there and going to be able to
provide us more assistance. In that, Maurice, he battles.
He got rolled up once. He’s had to fight and work through
it.
I thought Darius Washington probably played his best
game. I was really pleased with what I saw from him.
You see J.B.’s getting better. We’ve got a really good
group. Some of the challenges that showed up were real.
But there’s also times that I thought we did a lot of good
things. And it’s continuing to make sure that everybody’s in
flow and in sequence to optimize the opportunities we get
whether it’s in protection or run game.
Our offensive line, they work their tails off, and it is a
talented group. It’s one that has been tested, but it’s one
that’s responded with mental toughness, physical
toughness, and I know they’re going to be ready to battle
because we have our hands full with an extremely
impressive Louisville front.
Q. The defensive line rotation, especially early on, is
the fourth quarter Saturday, with the high-level play
that Jared and Pat gave you late kind of proof of
concept how you hope that plays out?
COACH NORVELL: Absolutely. Not just with the
defensive front. It’s really with as many positions as you
can. We’re finishing the game strong. When you’re able to
see guys, whether it’s Byron or Gilber there at the end
position that can go in there and give you really quality
reps throughout the course of a game, it’s just that much
more gas in the tank that Jared and Pat will have in those
critical situations.
I thought that was a heck of an ending in how those guys
were able to play in the fourth quarter and obviously the
impact they were able to make. So it is a big-picture
approach.
I think it was mentioned even in the preseason, just when
you look at successful teams, when you can have that type
of rotation throughout the course of the year, one, it’s going
to be needed.
We’ve had guys that have been up and been down, but
when you are able to get to this time of the year and they
still have that growth and you are taking off some of that
pound to their bodies, you get to play at a really high level
whether it’s in the fourth quarter or the month of November
now heading into December. Definitely excited about how
it’s all come together.
Q. I know coaches like to look forward, but when you
look back at this season, what Jayden Daniels did to
the rest of the schedule — and his only touchdown
against you guys came with a minute left, down by 28
— and then also what Clemson has done since you
guys beat them; you’re the only team to beat them in
Death Valley, they’re 8-4, they’re a top 20-ish team. I
guess 12-0 is 12-0, that’s always awesome, but those
wins so long ago now, how important are they, how
big are they in hindsight, what you guys did to Jayden
Daniels in winning in Death Valley?
COACH NORVELL: We knew the challenge going in. As
the season progresses, there’s always going to be different
elements showing up. We knew Jayden Daniels was going
to be a really good player this year.
And they had very talented receivers. We knew it was a
game that we were going to have to play at a very high
level and I thought our guys, they answered the call.
Did they make some plays? Yes, they did. But our guys,
they battled. We gave up an 80-yard touchdown on a
bunch of young guys getting their first snap ever. And that
was something that still shows up and still something is —
but I thought for the majority of that game, especially in the
second half, just to do what we did, was awesome.
And you see how he’s progressing. He’s had one of the
best seasons in college football history probably. He’s
done a remarkable job. He’s a special player. But I was
proud of our guys then and I’m still proud of them now for
what they were able to do in that game.
And then the Clemson win, that was — I knew it then. You
never know what the final record is going to be. And to be
honest, everyone has their own situations. But I knew
going into that place, it was going to be hard. It was going
to be tough. And to do the things that we did being down,
having to come back, to win it in overtime, I didn’t expect
anybody else to go in there and win, and it’s something we
can point to and say that’s one of those moments. It’s
something we needed as a program. It’s something we
needed for ourselves to just show that we could go and do
in a very adverse situation. Nobody wanted to sit there
Friday night being down 12-0 on the road.
We’ve been there. And that’s where you can take that
experience and say, all right, stay true to who you are, go
get better, let’s make the adjustments that need to be
made and our guys found a way.
Q. With Tate, did the down-and-distance situations
and the field-position situations, did that affect what
you were tempted to do with him in that situation
considering it was his first start in a long time early in
that game.
COACH NORVELL: It was early, yep.
Q. And when he was coming off the field, was he
seeing it, when you watched the film, did he see —
COACH NORVELL: I thought he — there were a couple of
plays where maybe his eyes didn’t get exactly where we
wanted, but he saw it. I mean, he was on it.
It was the worst combination of things you could hope for
at the beginning of a game for a first start of the year for
him. But that’s where you sit there and, like, the
appreciation for him, the poise, the ability to respond, the
intelligence, the preparation.
I mean, when we get sacked for a safety and we’re down
12-0 and really hadn’t done anything on offense, to come
back on that two-minute drive, and the throw to Jaheim, it’s
like, all right, that’s a real guy.
And the third down to Johnny, like, he’s throwing the ball
before Johnny is even coming out of the break. Just, man,
it makes me so proud.
I’ll tell you, I was proud of Brock. Brock gets in the
situation, true freshman, been injured for most of the year,
all right, here we go. And he’s got something about him
that is just really impressive.
But there is the expectation. You never know when your
number is going to be called and what are you going to do
with it.
I thought Tate saw the field extremely well. He knew
where he wanted to go, like I said, other than a couple
plays here and there. But a lot of guys have that.
That’s something — that goes back to at the very beginning,
we’re 12-0 here at this point and there’s so many areas we
get to continue to improve. And now the challenge is on us
to go get better.
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