The alarm bells, both figurative and literal, were going off in Tallahassee after Florida State's loss to Memphis on Saturday. A fire alarm provided a fitting soundtrack to the end of Mike Norvell's press conference following the Seminoles' 20-12 loss to the Tigers.
Florida State is now 0-3 for the second time in the last four seasons, and things have gone off the rails quickly. Just last month, the Seminoles opened the season as the No. 10 team in the AP Top 25 poll, and now Norvell is facing questions about his team's attitude and demeanor.
Given the circumstances, it was only appropriate that the fire alarm began ringing out as Norvell was discussing player morale.
To his credit, Norvell continued to power through the emergency alert system. The Florida State coach defended his players, saying he hasn't noticed a change in their attitude or dedication to winning.
"That's one thing we continue to challenge them on," Norvell said. "Anytime you don't have success, you look at are they willing to work? What's the mindset? What's the attitude? How are they in meetings? How are their eyes? That's not changed from my perspective. I'm around the guys every single day.
"Do I think there's times that we get tight as a team? Yes. ... When things don't go well, those are the times you've got to rise up to achieve to the best of your ability. To go make that play. To be that spark to be that ignition to the flip."
With the alarm blaring, Norvell added that he and his coaching staff will push forward through this disappointing start.
"They're in the locker room all disappointed," Norvell said. "We'll continue to work and continue to pour into each other."
The rest of the press conference wasn't much better for Norvell, who faced questions about starting quarterback DJ Uigalelei, who threw for just 201 yards and an interception. Norvell asserted that he still "has a lot of confidence" in that position group, but he will have to evaluate "every part" of the passing game moving forward.