Swinney condemns banner, defends Norvell — SkimNews
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- Clemson defeated Florida State 36-24 Saturday night in Tallahassee, with the Seminoles entering as a six-point favorite but having not beaten Clemson at home since 2014.
- Dabo Swinney called the airplane banner “embarrassing,” “shameful” and “disrespectful,” also noting that “Fire Novell” misspelled Norvell’s name and omitted the R.
- Dabo Swinney defended Norvell as “a good man,” a husband and father, and argued that supporters should evaluate the team’s results at year’s end rather than tear people down after losses.
- Florida State fell to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in ACC play, tied with Georgia Tech for last, while Norvell has gone 10-22 since winning the 2023 ACC title.
- Richard McCullough acknowledged fan frustration in a letter to supporters but urged them to back the student-athletes and pack Doak Campbell Stadium for the Clemson game.
- Mike Norvell was not asked about the banner; he instead addressed the early departures, noting that most fans left with Florida State trailing 29-10 before the Seminoles rallied to a one-score game with five minutes left. His message was “you’ve got to win.”
Why it matters: Mike Norvell received public support from an opposing coach when Dabo Swinney defended him, but the result still moved Florida State to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in ACC play, tied with Georgia Tech for last. Norvell’s players’ rally from a 29-10 deficit to one score with five minutes left showed the team competing to the end despite the loss.
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