FSU's Uiagalelei, HC Norvell Trolled by CFB Fans After Losing in SMU's 1st ACC Game

Southern Methodist University celebrated the start of conference play in its inaugural ACC season by upsetting Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell.

SMU defenders picked off FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei three times on their way to claiming a 42-16 win over the visitors.

Uiagalelei's third interception was returned 82 yards for a touchdown.

Uiagalelei connected on 12 of 30 pass attempts for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions, before he was replaced by backup Brock Glenn after the pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Florida State is now off to a 1-4 start in Mike Norvell's fifth season with the team. His overall record in Tallahassee drops to 32-21 with the loss.

Norvell, who led the Seminoles to winning seasons for three straight seasons between 2021 and 2023, signed an eight-year extension with FSU last year that would necessitate a buyout should the team seek to part ways with him prior to 2029.

Norvell is leading a squad still reeling from losing ten players to the 2024 NFL draft, including quarterback Jordan Travis, receiver Keon Coleman and defensive end Jared Verse.

Uiagalelei, who began his college career with three seasons at Clemson and one at Oregon State before transferring to FSU prior to the 2024 season, has so far struggled to click with the Seminoles' offense while working to step into Travis' former role.

SMU's record meanwhile improves to 4-1 thanks to prior wins over Nevada, Houston Christian and TCU. The team's only loss of the season came to No. 22 BYU in Week 2.

Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings went 16-of-23 for 254 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.

ACC play continues next Saturday as Florida State faces an even tougher conference opponent when No. 17 Clemson arrives in Tallahassee.

Norvell will have plenty of questions left to answer as the Seminoles offense seeks answers for the offensive struggles that have made them one of the least productive teams in the FCS so far this season.