Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was benched within the fourth quarter of final week’s 42-16 loss at SMU, and heading into Saturday’s sport towards Clemson, the Seminoles have two names listed as co-starters underneath middle on the depth chart. However in response to coach Mike Norvell, the choice to probably go in one other path at quarterback consists of the issue of damage in addition to efficiency.
Norvell revealed that Uiagalelei suffered a finger damage within the loss to SMU, and the way that impacts his skill to play towards Clemson — the place he starred from 2020-22 — can be evaluated all through the course of the week. There’s concern that the damage might sideline Uiagalelei for an prolonged interval, in response to 247Sports.
The choice to interchange Uiagalelei within the sport was made previous to the damage, Norvell mentioned, as Florida State needed to see if redshirt freshman Brock Glenn might give the offense a spark within the wake of an 82-yard choose six that prolonged SMU’s result in 26 factors with 12:55 remaining.
“Wished to see that chance for Brock to go in and execute. I assumed he did some good issues, had a pleasant throw we did not end on, I assumed he did miss one of many vertical pictures,” Norvell defined. “However total operation of what we requested him to do was good, however that wasn’t surprising to me. Brock and Luke each do an excellent job in how they put together, they attempt to put together as if they’ll play each play within the sport. … I assumed he was prepared for the second.”
On the depth chart, each Uiagalelei and Glenn acquired the “or” designation as co-starters, however Norvell added Monday that “it does not actually matter” what he places on the depth chart as a result of he is ready to see how the week performs out.
The choose six within the fourth quarter was Uiagalelei’s third interception of the sport, bringing his season complete to 6 interceptions in 5 video games with a 1-4 document because the workforce’s starter. Uiagalelei has simply 4 passing touchdowns to go together with these six picks and a 53.8% completion proportion. If Norvell was already contemplating a change at quarterback previous to Uiagalelei’s damage, this improvement could have opened the door for Florida State to attempt to reverse its offensive fortunes with a quarterback change.
Nonetheless, Norvell has maintained that the offensive struggles are a team-wide concern and never squarely on the shoulders of Uiagalelei.
“[Uiagalelei] made some poor choices and a pair unhealthy throws, however you have to assist the quarterback,” Norvell mentioned Monday. “I do not suppose we have completed job of that constantly. On the finish of the day, all of us need to have possession in that.”
With three convention losses already, Florida State is out of the ACC title race and dealing with an uphill battle to make a bowl sport. However as Norvell tries to navigate the upcoming weeks to ensure the very best big-picture outcomes, there can be alternatives to let youthful expertise, like Glenn, get a shot in reside motion.
