FSU’s Norvell Calls Officiating in Miami Loss ‘A Joke’

It was an epic battle that only the rivalry of Florida State vs. Miami could produce. Saturday, the Seminoles took the Hurricanes to two overtime periods before losing 43-35.

However, some questionable officiating calls, or the lack thereof, left an indelible mark on this game.

A holding call on OL Xavier Chaplin nullified a touchdown, and then an apparent simultaneous catch in the end zone on a Hail Mary pass to stay alive was ruled an interception.

The televised review by ACC officials of that play showed that the “simultaneous catch” component was never considered.

On Monday’s press conference, Florida State coach Mike Norvell had plenty to say on that sore subject, when asked if he contacted the league office.

“I sent it in, and you have the holding call, which was an absolute joke,” said Norvell.

Norvell was far from finished on the subject. He took it up with the crew’s superiors. 

“I called and talked to Gary Patterson, head of officials,” said Norvell. “I've not heard his final review for it, but I've got a lot of respect for the job that everybody has.”

That was not the only play Norvell was bent out of shape about.

“You go through the course of that game same thing happened a few plays earlier that was not called,” Norvell said. “But in that moment, that play it's just it's a shame. It really is.”

Norvell, who is on the proverbial hot seat, said he felt bad for the players who will have to live with the loss.

“For those kids not to be able to finish the game on the field in that moment, it's really disappointing,” said Norvell. “It's a lot of judgment calls and all things, but it was that was bad.”

“And the guys going up for a for a catch and, when they both come to the ground, simultaneous possession, that has to be a part of the discussion,” Norvell said.  “At the end of the day those are two plays in a moment where I'm proud of our football team,” Norvell said.

For Florida State to be in that position in the first place was a miracle in itself, when you consider its performances in its two previous road losses.

At Alabama, the Seminoles led 21-6 in the first half. By the end of the game, the Seminoles defense had given up 220 yards rushing and 44 points in a 50-36 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Then in the loss at Louisville, Florida State led 14-0 and had a chance to go up by another touchdown with four downs inside the 5-yard line. They could not score, and the ball went over on downs.

The Seminoles were then outscored 44-7 by Louisville the rest of the way, and suffered another road loss 44-21 to the Cardinals.

That ghost haunted Norvell again in the Miami game. Twice. With the same result.

Then you have the conspiracy theorists, who say that the refs served up those questionable calls to protect Miami.

In the end, Florida State did not do enough in regulation to gain the victory.

After suffering yet another road loss, the Seminoles are now 0-12 in road games, and 10-21 under Norvell since the end of the 2023 season.

They look to regroup in a bye week this week, and then prepare to host Clemson on Oct. 31.

Under Norvell, Florida State has beaten Clemson only once.