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Shoulder will sideline FSU's Ponder rest of season

The Associated Press

Christian Ponder looks on from the sidelines after injuring his shoulder Saturday against Clemson.

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The Associated Press

Published: November 9, 2009

Updated: 11/09/2009 12:58 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder is out for the season.

Coach Bobby Bowden said Monday that Ponder would undergo surgery on his dislocated right shoulder sometime in the next two weeks.

Ponder suffered a separated right shoulder late in Saturday's 40-24 defeat at Clemson when making a tackle after being intercepted for the fourth time in the game.

Ponder, who is 13-9 as a starter at Florida State, had thrown for 2,717 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Heralded redshirt freshman EJ Manuel will get his first start Saturday at Wake Forest.

Florida State (4-5, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) must win two of its next three games to avoid its first losing season since 1976.

The 19-year-old Manuel was offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher's prized recruit in his initial recruiting class at Florida State. Fisher is slated to replace Bowden by January 2011.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Manuel, who was redshirted last year, threw for nearly 7,400 yards and 68 touchdowns in high school.

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