Mike Norvell discusses Brock Glenn's first start in ACC Championship Game

Grant Grubbsby:Grant Grubbs12/05/23

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Brock Glenn didn’t step into the spotlight. He was shoved. In Week 12, Florida State starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season ending injury. In Week 13, FSU backup Tate Rodemaker absorbed a brutal hit.

With both quarterbacks sidelined, Glenn was FSU’s last hope. The QB3 didn’t back down, boosting the Seminoles to a 16-6 win over Louisville in the ACC Championship. After the game, FSU head coach Mike Norvell discussed Glenn’s heroic performance.

“It was remarkable,” Norvell said. “To be able to go in there — that’s the thing, he’s a true freshman, but he missed the better part of the middle of the season due to injury. He’s got great confidence. He’s going to be a special player. I’ve got a lot of confidence in where his career is going.

“He does have poise, and he’s able to go out there and execute. We put a lot on our quarterbacks, and he embraces that, as well. For a freshman just to get his first start in the ACC Championship game, I don’t think that’s happened in, what was it, 20-something years for a first-time starting quarterback? Two times in the last 20 years that that’s had to show up, and we got it done.”

Brock Glenn makes history twice

It wasn’t the only time the Seminoles made history this past weekend. Less than 24 hours after defeating Louisville, FSU became the first 13-0 Power Five team to not be selected for the College Football Playoff. Many pointed to Glenn’s underwhelming performance as an excuse for the selection committee to exclude the Seminoles.

In FSU’s win in the ACC Championship, Glenn only completed 8-of-his-21 pass attempts for 55 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and suffered four sacks. The lackluster performance was a far cry from the stunning showing Travis regularly produced.

Despite Glenn’s final statistics, he helped FSU win. His teammates couldn’t be prouder.

“We’re extremely proud of him,” standout running back Lawrance Toafili said. “He comes to work every day, and he just has the mindset that if anybody goes down, he’s got to be ready. I’m very proud of him and showing the moments and just being ready for his moments. I’m definitely proud of him for that.”

Although it won’t be on college football’s biggest stage, Glenn may have a chance to make his fellow Seminoles proud again. On Dec. 30, FSU will go head-to-head against Georgia in the Orange Bowl. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.