FSU's Ponder Out for Season

Florida State needs two more victories in its final three games to become bowl eligible and avoid its first losing season since 1976. The Seminoles will have to accomplish both without their starting quarterback.

Redshirt junior Christian Ponder will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in two weeks, FSU coach Bobby Bowden told his weekly luncheon crowd Monday at FSU's University Center.

Ponder suffered a Grade 3 separation of his right (throwing) shoulder late in the game against Clemson Saturday, and had already been ruled out of Saturday's game at Wake Forest. Heralded recruit E.J. Manuel will get his first start against the Demon Deacons.

Manuel, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder, threw for nearly 7,400 yards and 68 touchdowns during his prep career in Virginia Beach, Va.

Ponder missed most of practice last week with bruised ribs suffered in the win over North Carolina State on Oct. 31.

Ponder has completed 226 of 329 passes for 2,171 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He led the ACC in passing yards per game (306.6) and total offense (327.4) heading into Clemson.

Ponder was injured when he tackled Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel along the sideline following his fourth interception of the game. McDaniel starred at Tallahassee, Fla., Godby High School and was recruited by the Seminoles.

"I felt it pop," Ponder said.

"I didn't know it was going to be that serious. It [the tackle] was out of frustration. I let that get the best of me. I'm definitely upset. We had three games left – hopefully four. There were still goals we could accomplish. I wish I could be out there."

Manuel, meanwhile, misfired on his only two pass attempts.

"Some kids really come out in a situation like that, some don't," Bowden said Sunday on his teleconference with the media. "How's he going to do? I don't know but I'm anxious to see.

"He's got leadership qualities about him. He's 6-(foot)-5. He's going to see better. He's faster than Ponder. Now will he just go out there and play great? Not likely but you don't know, he might."

Manuel will be backed up by freshman walk-on Ryan Becker.

The Seminoles would like to redshirt Will Secord, who threw for 46 touchdowns in his three-year career at Wakeland High in Frisco, Tex. Secord, a left-hander, also was an accomplished baseball player in high school.

Ponder, who was drawing the attention of NFL scouts for his play on the field, said the injury will most likely lead to his return to the program next season.

His performance had earned him semifinalist honors for the Maxwell Award, presented to college football's player of the year, and he was also in contention for the Manning Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.