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TALLAHASSEE — No. 10 Florida State’s already-disappointing season was less than six quarters complete when a chant started spreading across the Doak Campbell Stadium stands.

“We want Brock!”

As in backup quarterback Brock Glenn.

The cheer arose as five-star talent DJ Uiagalelei and the passing game struggled in the Seminoles’ 28-13 awful upset loss to Boston College. But let’s be clear: FSU has more issues than subpar passing.

“In all phases, we weren’t good,” coach Mike Norvell said.

They weren’t in Week 0 against Georgia Tech, either, which is why the ’Noles are 0-2 for the third time in coach Norvell’s five seasons. Both losses were ACC games, so FSU effectively has been eliminated from the playoff race. No need to worry about being snubbed if you can’t beat ACC also-rans at home.

Monday’s struggles began with a passing offense led by Uiagalelei, the former starter at Clemson and Oregon State. It was a mess of dropped passes, errant throws, miscommunications and a drive-stalling intentional grounding in Uiagalelei’s 21-of-42 showing.

The problems culminated with the first — not last — “We want Brock” chant after one of Uiagalelei’s 13 first-half incompletions. Uiagalelei’s next pass hit the dirt, too.

Another red-zone sequence was just as bad at the end of the half. On first down, Uiagalelei had Ja’Khi Douglas open in the end zone; his pass was tipped at the line. On second down, Uiagalelei had Darion Williamson open in the left corner; his pass was overthrown. On third down, Uiagalelei had Kyle Morlock well-positioned in the end zone; his pass went through Morlock’s hands.

“There’s not much that did click,” Norvell said.

Norvell was asked after the game whether he considered benching Uiagalelei for Glenn. He didn’t give a direct answer.

There probably isn’t a good one because FSU’s aerial struggles predate Uiagalelei.

It wasn’t merely the slow start Monday or the 193-yard, no-touchdown performance in Ireland. FSU didn’t throw a touchdown the game before that (the Orange Bowl debacle against Georgia), or the game before that (the ACC championship win over Louisville) or the game before that (a win at Florida). Three different starters (Uiagalelei, Glenn and Tate Rodemaker). No touchdown passes. That’s an indictment on FSU’s development at quarterback and receiver, and it’s bigger than one player.

By the time receiver Kentron Poitier broke a tackle for a 29-yard score in the third quarter, FSU had gone 294 minutes and 45 seconds of game time without a passing touchdown. It’s an unfathomable, unacceptable stretch for a program that has produced three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks.

The Seminoles probably could have overcome the issues Monday against an inferior team, but the rest of the lineup was (again) too shaky. FSU’s running backs — an expected strength of this roster — had two carries in the first half and finished with 26 yards.

The highly touted defensive line underachieved (again), against a Boston College offense without one of its starting linemen. The Eagles’ 263 rushing yards were the most FSU has allowed in the regular season since 2020 (Notre Dame and Louisville). The linebackers and secondary failed to find Boston College’s route-running running backs, including Treshaun Ward (the FSU transfer and Tampa Bay Tech alumnus).

Boston College (1-0, 1-0 ACC) churned out a draining nine-minute drive in the first half and held FSU to three offensive plays in the first quarter. The Seminoles’ first three possessions were all three-and-outs.

After FSU cut its deficit to 21-13 in the second half, the Seminoles’ defense could have made a stand. It didn’t. Boston College responded by going 60 yards — all on the ground — for a touchdown.

All for a 16-point favorite playing at home against a team picked to finish 14th in the 17-team ACC.

“All the things that can go wrong basically did…” Norvell said. “That does not look like Florida State football with what we just did.”

It is, however, what Florida State football has been for its last three games, dating to the Orange Bowl.

As Norvell’s ’Noles enter their open date before a Sept. 14 home game against Memphis, they’ll have to figure out whether to listen to the chants from the student section. It’s a question worth considering. But even if the roars are justified and the fiery fans get their wish, Norvell’s tough assessments can’t end there. FSU has deeper issues to address.

Deeper issues that have already derailed a promising season before the schedule hit Week 2.

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