Bobby Bowden once said: "A moral victory to me is like a 6-foot man drowning in three feet of water – he's still dead."
But the legendary Florida State football coach knew that there ARE moral victories.
He had one, back in 1976, that I think can be instructive for FSU as it copes with a stupefying 0-2 start on the heels of an undefeated regular season and ACC championship.
It was Bowden's first year taking over a program that had won four games in the previous three years. The Noles lost their opener – ironically, to the present-day Noles ' next opponent, Memphis – then got destroyed by Miami on the road, 47-0. The Hurricanes amassed more than 300 rushing yards, motoring through holes that were so big, according to veteran Tallahassee Democrat writer Bill McGrotha "you could drive a two-horse wagon through" them.
So, 0-2 and headed nowhere. What to do?
As Bowden did so many times in his career, he took a risk. He changed.
Next on the schedule was, of all things, a visit to Norman to play the powerful Sooners . In its last three season prior to the 1976 campaign, Oklahoma was 43-2-1. There were no Vegas lines back then, but OU would surely have been favored by 30-40 points.
But Bowden saw opportunity. It was time to play the young'uns. His recruits. His guys .
So, he inserted six true freshmen into the starting lineup. Some of these names might sound familiar: wide receivers Jackie Flowers and Kurt Unglaub, defensive end Scott Warren, offensive guard Mike Good, fullback Mark Lyles and defensive tackle Walter Carter. These players were part of the foundation of the beginning of the Bowden era. Their careers culminated with an 11-0 1979 regular season.
But surely they were just sacrificial lambs on a hot September day in Norman, Oklahoma, right?
Something happened. Shockingly, FSU trailed by just one score in the fourth 17-9. And that was with a negative turnover margin. The final was 24-9 and Bowden knew he had found something.
"They fought today and there is still a chance for the Seminoles to be a football team," Bowden said.
If you're a Noles fan like me, the words in that quote that resonate are "they fought." Like that team that traveled to Norman almost 50 years ago, the 2023 Seminoles squad fought ferociously. This year's team – well, that's not an attribute that immediately comes to mind.
I'm such a fan of Coach Mike Norvell and his very Bowden-like commitment to culture and family and team.
I hope he also retains Coach Bowden's proclivity for re-invention, sometimes on the fly. Playing freshman. Running trick plays in impossible situations. The Fast Break offense. Some fans might even forget that Bowden dabbled in the option offense in the early 1980s.
Perhaps it's time for Coach Norvell to look at his youngsters for some fire. Some fight. Some fresh air. A spark. FSU fans know every game can't be won. But they also know a team fighting for each other when they see it.
Alexis de Tocqueville said: "When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness." It seems to me, Coach Norvell's challenge is to find some light for this season's slow start. Maybe it's in the eyes of hungry young'uns, like the ones who stared back at Coach Bowden with a fire and desire that said: "Put me in coach!"
Good luck, Coach Norvell, and Go Noles!
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football coach Mike Norvell must look to youth to save season
