Florida State football (1-4, 1-3 in ACC) returned to practice Wednesday morning to continue preparations for Saturday’s game against No. 15 Clemson (3-1, 2-0 in ACC) at 7 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Seminoles are looking to get back on the winning track following their 42-16 loss at SMU last Saturday FSU coach Mike Norvell focused mainly on the red-zone drives.
“I thought today was a good work day,” Norvell said. “I thought guys were very competitive, had a lot of energy, and were flying around with our third-down situations. (We) got some red zone work, just continuing to build upon it.”
Norvell also mentioned prepping his quarterbacks, Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek and is continuing to see improvements from both players. He saw them playing fast-paced and making quick decisions.
Here are some takeaways from Wednesday’s practice.
Mike Norvell addressed his players at the beginning of practice
Norvell didn’t like what he saw on offense during a two-minute drill at the beginning of practice. So, before the session was over, he gathered the entire team together and expressed his frustration.
“That was more of a procedural issue that I wanted fixed, and so I addressed it.,” Norvell said.
Seconds later, the offense looked in sync with two good running plays with Glenn as the ball carrier.
Freshman DB Charles Lester making his case for playing time
The secondary’s depth has provided opportunities for players to step up in practice. This week, or more like the past couple weeks, it was Charles Lester III‘s turn. Norvell has taken notice of the true freshman.
“I really like his approach,” Norvell said.
“He has been getting some work there with the defense and is continuing to grow in that, but I think he’s had some really good couple weeks, and you see him taking some positive strides.”
Other secondary players who have been flourishing are Ja’Bril Rawls, who broke a few passes during 1-on-1 drills against Freshman receiver Elijah Moore and senior Duece Spann.
Rawls was spotted on returning punts. Edwin Joseph caught an interception pass during 11-on-11. Ricky Knight III caught an interception during 7-on-7.
Junior cornerback Azareye’h Thomas has dominated during 1-on-1s and 11-on-11s. He has been a willing tackler and aggressive shutdown corner. Fentrell Cypress made a big hit on wide receiver Malik Benson, keeping him out of the endzone during redzone plays.
FSU QB Brock Glenn, Luke Kromenhoek have a better day of practice
Glenn and Kromenhoek had a better showing. Both were effective through the air and on the ground.
:I thought the quarterbacks took some strides from yesterday. Today, you just saw them playing a little bit faster, seeing things a little bit quicker,” Norvell said.
“We still have some plays that we got to clean up and make sure we’re maximizing the efficiency in each opportunity and obviously being able to push the ball down the field when we get opportunities. I thought it was a good day”
While Glenn is expected to start in place of injured DJ Uiagalelei, he hasn’t ruled out on Kromenhoek seeing some playing time.
” I’ve appreciated his approach leading up to this you, even where the role was, and I think that’s what will allow him to maximize opportunities, and I think he’s done a good job,” Norvell said.
Some plays involving Kromenhoek included scoring on a keeper during red-zone drills. He also threw a deep-ball touchdown pass to Darion Williamson.
Glenn also had some moments. Whenever he was behind center, he rolled out or escaped the pocket to extend plays.
If nothing was there, he threw the ball away or go out of bounds. He made some solid throws down the middle to sophomore receivers Hykeem Williams and freshman LaWayne McCoy.
Edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. ended the first session with a stripped fumble on Glenn.
Freshman receiver LaWayne McCoy looked impressive. Could see more action on offense
Another freshman who stood out was McCoy. McCoy was highly involved on offense and made some sensational plays.
For example, McCoy caught an acrobatic catch thrown by Glenn during 11 on 11. He also caught a one-hander later in practice.
“I thought LaWayne McCoy had a really nice day today,” Norvell said.
“In the last few weeks really from when we put him back at the returner position, it’s with seeing the development of what he can do at receiver, and you know we’ll do the things that are necessary and putting guys in position to make plays.”
Norvell also discussed McCoy’s bright future on offense. So far, he has been used as a punt returner in the first five games.
“You also think that he’s got a really good future, and it’s going to be impactful for this team here this season, but he was somebody that I really liked what I saw from him, and we’re just continuing to push guys at different places and we’re seeing some positive strides,” Norvell said.
How can I watch FSU football vs. Clemson
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
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Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
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Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
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Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
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Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
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Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* | 7 p.m.| ESPN2 (Fubo) Won 14-9
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Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU* | 8 p.m. EST | ACC Network Lost 42-16
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Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
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Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 8 Miami*
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Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
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Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 14 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
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Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
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Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
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Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football takeaways from Wednesday’s practice, preping for Clemson
