Norvell Hails Boggs, Flags Penalty Issues as FSU Tops Central Arkansas 34-7

Mike Norvell praised breakout receiver Jayvan Boggs but pointed to 10 penalties and long Central Arkansas drives after Florida State's 34-7 win moved it to 2-2.

Florida State defeated Central Arkansas 34-7 on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium, improving to 2-2 and snapping a losing streak. The matchup fell on family weekend in Tallahassee, and coach Mike Norvell afterward thanked the crowd and the Marching Chiefs band for the atmosphere.

Wide receiver Jayvan Boggs delivered the best game of his young career with six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown, and his teammates chose him for the program's postgame honor of breaking the rock. Norvell said Boggs gives the offense another dangerous target alongside Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy.

Asked about that group, Norvell said injuries have tested the receiving room, but those three have grown into reliable options who produce whenever the ball comes their way. He credited Boggs for staying patient and making the most of his chances.

The game's oddest number was time of possession. Central Arkansas held the ball for nearly 40 minutes, shrinking Florida State's offensive snap count even though the defense surrendered only seven points. Norvell also noted that seven Bears first downs came by penalty.

Those flags were a sore spot. The Seminoles were penalized 10 times, and Norvell did not hide his frustration, blaming technique and fundamentals for fouls that extended Central Arkansas drives. A roughing-the-punter penalty kept one Bears possession alive and further limited the FSU offense.

Florida State opened with the ball by design. Norvell wanted to maximize first-half possessions and set the tempo against a Central Arkansas team that features a running quarterback, multiple personnel packages and a history of controlling pace. The Seminoles answered with a fast start built on several big gains.

Not everything on offense was clean. A two-minute drive before halftime ended in an interception when Ashton Daniels rushed a throw after expecting the running back to break a different direction, a play Norvell said requires improvement from everyone involved. The Seminoles also settled for field goals on multiple red zone visits, an area Norvell called a team strength that went unmet.

Availability was another theme. Norvell said some players missed the game with injuries while others were held out over weekly standards the program expects its roster to meet, and he hopes the injured return soon as conference play intensifies. Because of how the game unfolded, reserves the staff wanted to see got few snaps, though several players logged their first extended action of the season.

On defense, Norvell reviewed how his unit handled Central Arkansas's unconventional formations, including six-lineman and unbalanced fronts. Florida State now turns to ACC play next week, a stretch Norvell described as a major test, with details still needing cleanup before then.