Florida State football coach Mike Norvell says Seminoles need to keep improving after huge win over LSU

Florida State football coach Mike Norvell was not ready to declare his program «back» on Monday, a day after a 24-23 upset victory over the LSU in New Orleans that came down to the last play.

Rather, Norvell said in a phone interview with ESPN that his team would simply get «back to work.»

«That game, it didn't need to be as close as it was,» Norvell said. «We made some mistakes that can cost us, so we better learn from the experience that we had last night and go get better. If you want to show you're back, go win every game and get better every week and with every practice. That's what you have to do. I'm glad our guys are excited about the steps we've taken. But if we don't continue to take steps, then none of that is going to matter.»

In postgame interviews, multiple players — including defensive end Jared Verse and receiver Ontaria Wilson — said the victory meant Florida State was back. It is easy to understand why they felt that way after an emotional down-to-the-wire victory. Florida State has not started a season 2-0 since 2016. Last year, the Seminoles started 0-4, including a down-to-the-wire, season-opening loss against Notre Dame.

Headed into this season and Year 3 under Norvell, there were many questions whether the program would finally turn a corner. The victory against LSU certainly showed this team knows how to win close games — even when there is adversity to overcome.

After recovering a Malik Nabers fumbled punt with 2 minutes, 15 seconds remaining at the LSU 8-yard line and holding a 24-17 lead, it seemed as if the Seminoles would be poised to close out the win. But on third-and-goal from the LSU 1, Florida State called a pitch back to Treshaun Ward, who fumbled. LSU recovered with 1:20 remaining.

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