Story by
Florida State football: Culture under Mike Norvell molded successful season, Cheez-It Bowl win
- Story by
- Florida State football: Culture under Mike Norvell molded successful season, Cheez-It Bowl win
ORLANDO −What was a somber moment in the Cheez-It Bowl on Thursday turned into an emotional one, a moment that will forever encapsulate the culture Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has built.
As FSU offensive lineman Jazston Turnetine was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium, the world got to see the affection and respect the Seminole players have for one another.
Advertisement
Almost every member of the offense, defense and special teams left the bench to see Turnetine, and give him love, as he dealt with what looked to be a traumatic injury.
What that moment symbolized was the culture Norvell and his staff had built in their third year in Tallahassee. One that took three years to build, to bring in the players who fit the program, rather than ones who would bring instant wins, but locker room issues.
The No. 13 Seminoles (10-3) defeated Oklahoma (6-7), 35-32, to win their 10th game of the season for the first time since 2016.
'Feelin' the Cheeziest?': Florida State WR Mycah Pittman talks about Cheez-It Room, NIL deal
Advertisement
Analysis: After fitting end to Florida State's football season, 2023 can't come soon enough
FSU football: Ryan Fitzgerald kicks Seminoles to Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma | Takeaways
"Brotherhood," FSU safety Jammie Robinson said. "That's all it is. For me, I could say this is my best college year. Even though we won ten games, that's the main reason, but I feel like we are brothers and all.
"Like coach (Norvell) said earlier, it ain't how it used to be. Like prior, you'll see guys in the locker room and hallway where y'all walking by each other, you probably not even going to say what's up to them. It used to be like that.
Advertisement
"But now, everybody is speaking to everybody. And it shows. The whole sideline got up on the field when he got carted up. It just shows that we got a brotherhood. I'm going to remember this season for the rest of my life."
Robinson, a redshirt junior who is weighing his options to go pro, transferred to FSU before the 2021 season from South Carolina. Turnetine transferred from the Gamecocks this past offseason, being with the team since August.
Analysis: After fitting end to Florida State's football season, 2023 can't come soon enough
Turnetine's impact
Turnetine, a redshirt senior, may have seen his football career end with his injury. Despite being in Tallahassee for a short time, when FSU players were dapping him up following his injury, it was pretty obvious how much of an impact he had on the program.
"He's a part of our family forever now," Norvell said. "These guys know. They know the work, and they know the investment. It's one thing it to talk about investment when it comes to a football team, and everybody thinks about lifting weights, practicing and all the things that go on, on the field.
Advertisement
"When it's an investment in who they are off the field, getting to know a teammate and building a relationship. When you see a guy that goes down, it hurts. I want to try to go out and see every one of them, because this is a game where that unfortunately happens.
"Jaz played his last game as a Florida State Seminole, but he will forever be a 'Nole. To see our team embrace him, celebrate after the game with him, he is sitting there on crutches, and celebrating with him. I love the young man, and I am grateful that I got an opportunity to coach him. I think you saw the impact that he had on this team just in the way that they embraced a very tough situation."
Turentine did not start the game but came in as an injury replacement for left tackle Robert Scott Jr.. Following a run by running back Trey Benson inside the OU red zone, Turnetine went down hard to the turf after a player rolled up on his leg from behind.
A couple of plays later, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit the game-winning 32-yard field goal.
Advertisement
"With Jaz, I felt like the game was already won once everybody started to rally up, and that showed true brotherhood," FSU running back Treshaun Ward said. "We had to do it for him and all the boys that were hurting tonight."
Building up the program
While several players on the FSU roster were brought in as transfers over the last couple of seasons to build the team to Norvell's mold, a few players, like wide receiver Ontaria Wilson and the former walk-on Ward, had been with the program for a while.
Ward rushed 10 times for 81 yards and two scores, while Ontaria Wilson finished with five receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Advertisement
Ontaria Wilson, who is in his sixth season with the Seminoles, saw the end of the Jimbo Fisher era, the struggles under Willie Taggart and now the success with Norvell.
Ward has been with the program since 2019.
"When Norvell first got here, we had been through a tough time," Ward said. "Seeing this team being happy for the first time, getting our ten wins and stuff like that, it's amazing. It just brings us together and the confidence we got now, it's great to see that we are being successful right now."
For both long-time Seminoles and transfers, the foundation for the culture begins at the top.
Advertisement
"It meant a lot to finally go out there and end the season the way we wanted it to," said FSU defensive end Jared Verse, a first-year transfer from the University at Albany. "At the beginning of the season, we had a couple of hard losses where we could have done this or that to be a little bit better.
"Just one thing, I am grateful for coach Norvell. He has not lied to me once. Like I said, multiple times, he sat down with me, and he told me he would give me his best. He has not stopped since then. Like all today, and the first day since I got here, he has given me his best. I have tried my hardest to give him the same in return.
"This is the best decision I have made in my life."
Reach Ehsan at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
Advertisement
No one covers the 'Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Culture under Mike Norvell leads to Cheez-It Bowl win
