Florida State's dismal start to the 2024 season has taken a turn for the worse with the news that starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has fractured his right finger and will be sidelined for multiple weeks. The injury, sustained in the Seminoles' 42-16 loss to SMU, leaves a significant void at the helm of the offense.
Florida State's hopes of contending for an ACC title this season have been dealt a severe blow with the announcement that quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will miss an extended period of time due to a broken finger. The injury, suffered in the Seminoles' humiliating defeat to Southern Methodist University (SMU), casts doubt on the team's prospects for the remainder of the campaign.
Uiagalelei, a transfer from Oregon State, has struggled to find his footing at Florida State, throwing six interceptions in four games, including a costly pick-six against SMU. Despite his struggles, head coach Mike Norvell has acknowledged that the blame for the team's poor performance cannot be placed solely on the quarterback.
"DJ did make a lot of good throws throughout the course of the game. Some good decisions, he made some poor decisions and a couple of bad throws," Norvell said. "But you've got to help the quarterback position, and I don't think we've done a good job of that consistently."
With Uiagalelei sidelined, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn is expected to take over as the starting quarterback. Glenn, who started the ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl last season after Jordan Travis suffered a leg injury, has completed 36.2% of his passes for 194 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions in his limited playing time.
The loss of Uiagalelei is a major blow to Florida State's offense, which has failed to live up to expectations this season. The Seminoles, who narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last year, have dropped their first three games and have only one win to their credit against a weak Cal team.
Uiagalelei's injury adds to the growing list of problems facing Florida State. The Seminoles have struggled to protect the ball, turning it over 10 times this season. They have also been unable to generate a consistent running game, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.
The Seminoles will face their toughest test yet when they host No. 15 Clemson, Uiagalelei's former school, on Saturday. Clemson has won the last two meetings between the two teams, and the Seminoles will need to find a way to shore up their weaknesses if they hope to pull off an upset.
The loss of Uiagalelei is a major setback for Florida State, but it is not insurmountable. Glenn will have an opportunity to prove himself as a capable starter, and the Seminoles still have a talented roster. However, they will need to play with greater urgency and efficiency if they want to salvage their season.
