Florida State may turn to its younger players when Clemson comes to Doak Campbell Stadium on Halloween night.
After the bye week, coach Mike Norvell sounded open Monday to giving more snaps to underclassmen who flashed in practice, especially with injuries creating holes at several key spots. The Seminoles enter the game at 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the ACC, while Clemson is 4-3 and 2-2.
“I truly believe that they've stayed focused on the things they control and their growth and improvement,” Norvell said. “I'm excited to watch them play this week, but we've got to have a great week of preparation. It was good to have those practices last week.
“Some guys might have increased roles. Guys a little further down the depth chart got some extra work to continue showing where they are. It was an aggressive week of practice, and I thought the guys handled that well.”
One of the clearest possibilities is at running back, where Florida State has lost Ousmane Kromah for the season and still does not have Samuel Singleton Jr. available. That opens the door for true freshman Amari Thomas behind Tre Wisner. Thomas, a Blountstown native, has played in four games and logged three carries, but coaches and teammates have described him as an explosive back with real upside.
Receiver Devin Carter also could finally make his debut if he gets through the week without any setbacks. Norvell said, “Devin Carter, I think, is coming into having an opportunity this week, once again barring any setbacks,” adding, “We'll see where that goes and what that looks like, but he continues to be another explosive player that brings opportunity.”
Another freshman to watch is Jasen Lopez. Norvell pointed to his 39-yard catch against Miami and said, “I was really pleased with Jasen Lopez having a big catch in the Miami game,” followed by, “He's getting a little bit more work there.
I thought he had a good week of practice last week as well.” Lopez remains behind Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy and Jayvan Boggs on the receiver depth chart, but he has started to emerge as a target for quarterback Ashton Daniels and could also help on punt returns.
Defense has its own openings. At linebacker, Blake Nichelson is unavailable and Omar Graham Jr. was injured against Miami, which could push freshman Karon Maycock into a bigger role.
Maycock has appeared in five games and made four tackles, with most of his defensive work coming against Central Arkansas. He has mostly played on special teams so far.
In the secondary, injuries have made things unsettled at cornerback, and Quindarrius Jones’ availability has wavered in recent weeks. That has helped create more opportunities for Nehemiah Chandler, who Tony White recently praised for making important plays when called upon. Chandler, a former Wakulla High and South Alabama player, has nine tackles, one interception and two pass breakups in seven games.
Freshman safety Jordan Crutchfield is another name Norvell expects to get a look. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound defensive back has appeared in four games, though minor injuries have interrupted his season.
“Jordan's a guy that has shown some flashes here,” Norvell said. “He's just dealt with some minor injuries that have kind of set him back in terms of the consistency of his opportunities. But I'm expecting him to get some good work here this week and hopefully be available.”
Florida State’s upcoming schedule also includes a Nov. 7 trip to Boston College, a Nov. 13 visit to Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. on ESPN, a Nov. 21 home game against NC State and a Nov. 27 matchup with Florida at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
In Other News...
Florida State Clemson Week Just Got Bigger Than The Game
Florida States Halloween home date with Clemson is shaping up to be more than just a rivalry game. The school is planning themed events around the matchup, including a drone show and a Trunk or Treat, giving the night a little extra pageantry before the Seminoles even take the field. On top of the holiday atmosphere, the program will also honor Peter Warrick with an NFF College Football Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute during the game, adding a nod to one of the programs most recognizable former stars.
The bigger off-field storyline, though, may be what comes next for the athletic department. Florida State president Richard McCullough said the search for a new athletic director will begin soon, an important step as the school looks to steady its leadership picture while the football program keeps moving through a pivotal stretch. With Clemson coming to town on a night packed with events and recognition, it is the kind of weekend that blends celebration, tradition and a little uncertainty in Tallahassee. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Fans Just Turned On Mike Norvell In Public
Frustration around Florida States football program has spilled beyond social media and into a public campaign aimed directly at Mike Norvell. Ahead of the upcoming game against Clemson, fans have started a GoFundMe to hire an aircraft to fly a banner over campus reading FIRE MIKE NORVELL, a stark sign of how quickly patience has worn thin as the Seminoles have struggled under the current regime.
The move also speaks to a broader sense that university leadership has not done enough to answer the programs slide, even with Norvells contract extension and buyout factors in the background. Whether the banner ever flies or not, the message is clear: a vocal segment of the fan base wants a much faster response to the on-field problems, and they are now making sure everyone inside and outside the stadium knows it. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Line Faces A Brutal Test With Ashton Daniels At Risk
Florida States offensive line has become the obvious pressure point as the Seminoles head into a matchup that will ask a lot more of Ashton Daniels than simply extending plays with his legs. Coach Hand has been clear that the group has to do a better job in pass protection if Daniels is going to work from a cleaner pocket, and the stakes are easy to see. Daniels has been one of Florida States most dangerous threats with 354 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, but the protection issues have also helped contribute to eight interceptions under pressure.
Clemson is hardly the kind of defense that lets an offensive line ease into anything. The Tigers have piled up 20 sacks this season and have recently been smothering opponents on the ground, holding them to low rushing totals and keeping them out of the end zone. For Florida State, the challenge is bigger than just surviving a pass rush, because Daniels best traits and the Seminoles overall rhythm may depend on whether the pocket holds long enough for the offense to function the way it wants to. [Read more 🡒]