TALLAHASSEE, FLA. ? Chris Rix will be replaced as Florida State’s starting quarterback by Adrian McPherson when the No. 18 Seminoles play this weekend at Wake Forest.

Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden announced the move two days after a 34-24 loss to Notre Dame, Florida State’s seventh defeat in the last two years under Rix. He has been criticized following a 5-3 start, Florida State’s worst since 1986.

“The only answer as to why we’re doing this is that we feel like we should,” Bowden said after Monday’s practice. “There was no question we need to move (McPherson) in there and see what he can do.”

In Saturday’s game, Rix turned the ball over on consecutive possessions to set up 10 Notre Dame points and break a 10-10 tie.

Rix was told of the change Monday by quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey.

McPherson, who has never started a college game, relieved Rix late in the fourth quarter and led Florida State to two late scores to cut a 24-point deficit.