Ashton Daniels has provided Florida State with plenty of explosive plays this season, but turnovers have become an increasingly difficult problem to ignore.
After throwing three interceptions in the Seminoles’ 36-24 loss to the Clemson Tigers
, Daniels now leads the ACC with 11 interceptions through eight games. That is four more than Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie, who sits in second with seven.The Clemson game accelerated the issue. Daniels completed 21 of 33 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns, but his three interceptions repeatedly halted an FSU offense that otherwise moved the ball effectively.
It also continues a familiar trend from Daniels’ previous stint in the conference.
During Stanford’s first ACC season in 2024, Daniels
threw 12 interceptions in 11 games, tying Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and Duke’s Maalik Murphy for the most in the conference. Daniels finished that season with 1,700 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
That makes 2026 the second time in Daniels’ last two ACC seasons that he has found himself at or near the top of the conference in interceptions.
The frustrating part for Florida State is that the turnovers have accompanied some impressive production. Daniels has thrown for 1,968 yards and 14 touchdowns this season while also giving the Seminoles a significant rushing threat. His 147.9 passer efficiency rating remains respectable, but the 11 interceptions have increasingly offset some of the big plays he creates.
With Florida State now 3-5 and needing three wins in its final four games to reach bowl eligibility, protecting the football becomes even more important. The Seminoles travel to Boston College next, where Daniels will have an opportunity to begin reversing an unwanted trend that has followed him into his second season of ACC football.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU quarterback’s turnover problem reaches a new level
