Florida State head coach Mike Norvell addressed reporters Wednesday after the final practice before Saturday's 7 p.m. ACC Network game against Clemson at Doak Campbell Stadium. Wide receiver Duce Robinson spoke afterward.
Norvell opened on the week of work.
"I'm pleased with the team's approach in practice this week,"
"I could feel the intensity and how it's grown this week. Saturday night brings a talented opponent to Tallahassee in Clemson."
He was asked about the statement released Tuesday by FSU president Richard McCullough.
"Definitely grateful for the leadership of President McCullough. We definitely stay in touch. We talked last week for a good amount of time," Norvell said. "I appreciate him, appreciate his vision for Florida State, his passion for Florida State.
"We all have a job to do. At the end of the day, my job is to make sure that this football team is continuing to grow, to get better, to perform and go out there and get the desired results. That's what we all aspire for on a daily basis".
"We've lost some close games here in the early part of the season, to some talented teams. There's areas we all get to continue to get better in. I know that there's an evaluation process to this. President McCullough said big picture it goes to all of it. Definitely have a lot of respect for him and the thoroughness of how he does the things that he does and the decisions that he makes."
On the running back room after the losses of Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr.:
"We're down two of the best backs in the country," Norvell said. "I'm confident in Tre Wisner and both Amari Thomas and Zay Parks. Wisner has looked confident in the last few games, and I expect him to play well."
Norvell on freshman wide receiver Devin Carter:
"Devin Carter should be available for the first time this season,"
"I'm not sure yet how much he'll play, but I expect him to be ready."
He said remaining injury questions will be on the ACC injury report.
On Clemson's defense, Norvell again highlighted cornerback Ashton Hampton.
"Hampton's probably the best corner that we've faced up to this point this year,"
"He's part of a top-tier defense that the Tigers have. We've got to focus on ourselves and what we can control on offense."
Duce Robinson addressed the final play from the Miami game.
"I shouldn't have left it up to the refs,"
"It could have gone either way and they have to stick with the call they had on the field, so I just shouldn't have even left it up to chance."
On the overall Miami performance and the bye week:
"When we're playing cohesively, when we're playing 11 as one, we can go toe-to-toe with the best team in the nation," Robinson said. "We have all the talent in the world and when we're playing well, we can play really, really well. … Just taking it one play at a time. That's kind of been our mindset."
On facing Ashton Hampton:
"He's a really really big corner," Robinson said. "He's really long, he's fast, really athletic, really fluid in his movements, can get in and out of breaks really well. I'm really looking forward to going against him. It's going to present a good challenge."
Robinson on man coverage and one-on-ones:
"We beg for one-on-ones,"
"That's our job as receivers. We want man on man. We want the ball coming our way. I think we have one of the more talented receiving groups in the nation."
On Devin Carter returning:
"It looks like he never left," Robinson said. "He's been out there making plays, running around like a chicken with his head cut off. I'm really happy to have him back."
