Florida State fans expressed their disappointment with the team’s performance against Boston College on Monday night, particularly directing their frustrations at quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Chants calling for his replacement started in the second quarter and intensified following halftime, as many in the crowd voiced their preference for backup Brock Glenn to take the helm.
However, head coach Mike Norvell opted to keep Uiagalelei in the game. He acknowledged that fan reactions are part of the game, especially during tough moments. Norvell praised Uiagalelei for his resilience and his ability to make key plays down the stretch.
“That’s part of the game. Everyone has an opinion on what’s happening. Playing quarterback, being the coach, and being part of a prestigious program comes with high expectations. It’s our responsibility to perform at a high level. Sometimes, you hear things you don’t want to hear, and face challenging situations, but that’s all part of it,” Norvell said. “DJ is mature and has been through a lot. He was encouraging to his teammates on the sideline and in the huddle, focusing on making the next play.”
Against Boston College, Uiagalelei finished with 272 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, completing 50% of his 42 attempts. Some missed opportunities, including drops, hampered his performance, although certain throws should have been easier for the experienced quarterback.
Despite fans rallying behind Glenn, he did not see any playing time.
Norvell remained steadfast in his decision to keep Uiagalelei in the game despite the tumultuous night for Florida State. He refrained from addressing the calls for a quarterback change directly and instead emphasized the need for the coaching staff to focus on helping players succeed.
“We were struggling offensively, and there are many reasons for that. We need to work hard to improve. Our focus is on making sure our players are in positions to achieve success,” Norvell stated during his postgame press conference.