Will the final offensive drive versus GT spark QB Uiagalelei for the rest of the season?

Florida State football was defeated by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets by a score of 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday afternoon. The fan base was frustrated (rightfully so) with the outcome of the game.

One of the complaints was quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was not good enough to be the starter going forward. The veteran transfer signal-caller had a lackluster performance versus the Yellow Jackets where he completed 19 of his 27 passes for 194 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The Seminoles brought Uiagalelei in to bring a veteran presence to the position group with having younger options such as Brock Glenn, Luke Kromenhoek, and Trever Jackson.

It was going to always be difficult to replace the likes of superstar Jordan Travis who is now in the NFL playing for the New York Jets. However, elite programs replenish their talent. If head football coach Mike Norvell wants Florida State to remain in the conversation of competing for national championships, they have to recruit and develop at a high level.

Getting back to the Uiagalelei, it seems like on Saturday, he was very conservative. It is not like him to do that as we saw him at Oregon State taking shots downfield. His main strength is displaying his strong arm in the pocket.

Unfortunately, fans did not get to witness the former five-star prospect do that. He did not make those crucial throws until the final offensive drive.

When Florida State was down by a score of 21-14 with 14:43 left to go in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles' offense went on a 15-play, 84-yard drive that took eight minutes and 24 seconds.

The Seminoles had to convert two fourth down and long situations where Uiagalelei threw it in the middle of the field on a slant route to wide receiver Malik Benson to put Florida State at the 1-yard line to score a touchdown to tie it up. That was a gusty drive by the Seminoles and head football coach Mike Norvell with the game on the line.

Unfortunately, the defense was not able to stop the Yellow Jackets on the last drive and they ended up kicking a 44-yard field goal to make Florida State have an 0-1 record. I believe that the Seminoles' last, long drive was exactly what the transfer quarterback needed to get himself adjusted to the offense and compete at a high level versus Boston College.