
We’re not PBU, we’re DBU:” Norvell pushing FSU defense to “focus on the finish” during Jacksonville road trip -- interview with Norvell, DL Coach Terrance Knighton and DL Deante McCray
From Everything Noles: For Florida State Seminoles Fans by FFSN
August 7, 2025 · 23 min
About this episode
The episode discusses FSU's defensive strategies and the emphasis on finishing plays during a road trip to Jacksonville.
Over the last week, a common complaint has found a home amidst head coach Mike Norvell’s practice evaluations — missed opportunities. Even when complimentary of his team’s mindset, approach, execution and potential, he’s found himself repeatedly expressing disappointment in the lack of fully taking advantage of moments that hold even more weight when the season rolls around, particularly on the defensive side. “We’ve had some opportunities to to create takeaways defensively, left a few of them out there, really within all three groups,” he said following Thursday’s practice in Jacksonville. “Plenty of people are happy with PBU. We’re not PBU University. We’re DBU University. You got to go make the play. Go finish the play, put yourself in position. You have to be able to finish in those moments — when you’re back there [during a game], the entire stadium when a defensive player is “oh, oh man.” Those are game-changers, ones that absolutely impact the course of all things, so it’s one of the things we’re really emphasizing — the focus to the finish.“ The hope is that the Seminoles’ road trip to Jacksonville, an annual excursion under Norvell, will accelerate both the understanding…
People in this episode
Host: Mike Norvell
Guests: Terrance Knighton, Deante McCray
Topics covered
- FSU defense
- coaching strategies
- team building
- practice evaluations
- defensive takeaways
Keywords
- FSU
- defense
- Mike Norvell
- Jacksonville
- practice
- takeaways
- team building
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Florida State Seminoles
Places: Jacksonville
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