Mike Norvell: FSU's loss to Jax State 'totally unacceptable'

Mike Norvell apologized to the fan base after FSU's embarrassing loss. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell: Seminoles' loss to Jacksonville State 'totally unacceptable'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/12/21

Florida State lost in humiliating fashion to Jacksonville State Saturday when it surrendered a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown as time expired.

With six seconds remaining in the game, Florida State led 17-14. In desperation mode, Jacksonville State quarterback Zerrick Cooper threw a pass to Damond Philyaw-Johnson, who got behind the defense, dodged two defenders and walked into the end zone for a 59-yard score.

Jacksonville State 59-yard game-winner as time expires to beat Florida State! pic.twitter.com/uxUPumAOFt
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 12, 2021

Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell wasn't happy about his team's performance. After the 20-17 loss, Norvell called the defeat "totally unacceptable."

"I apologize to our fan base, to our university, to all Seminoles for the performance we had," Norvell said, according to ESPN's Andrea Adelson.

"I take ownership of it, but we go in and work, correct the things that have to be corrected to play to the level we're capable of playing. ... I've been a part of challenging times before. Tonight is a challenging time for our university and our football team. We will get it corrected."

The last time Florida State lost to a non-major opponent was in 1961 against Southern Miss.

The Seminoles are now 0-2 on the season after a season-opening loss to the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Quarterback McKenzie Milton called the team's start to the season "embarrassing."

"We've got to own that," Milton said. "That's who we are. We lost to Jacksonville State. We're 0-2, so all we can do is look forward."

Florida State has finished with losing records in three straight seasons, including the last two under Norvell. If something doesn't change, the Seminoles could make a coaching switch in the near future.

Florida State is set to play Wake Forest next weekend, searching for its first win of the year. Wake Forest is 2-0 this season with wins over Old Dominion and Norfolk State.

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