DJ Uiagalelei scores first touchdown as Oregon State's quarterback

It didn’t take long for DJ Uiagalelei to find the end zone for the first time as Oregon State‘s quarterback.

The Clemson transfer drove his team down the field all the way to the 1-yard line midway through the first quarter, where he attempted to sneak it in. He was stopped on first-and-goal, but Oregon State went back to the well and handed it off inside to the running back, Deshaun Fenwick, who was also stuffed.

The Beavers then backed it up into the shotgun on third-and-goal and Uiagalelei plunged in for a score from 1-yard out up the middle.

Check out the exciting moment below.

DJ Uiagalelei punches it in from the 1-yard line:#OregonState pic.twitter.com/sIrKocKWli

— Lincoln Heimbach (@LincHeimbachTSP) September 3, 2023

You can catch the rest of Uiagalelei’s debut as a Beaver against San Jose State live on CBS.

More on DJ Uiagalelei’s journey to Oregon State

Uiagalelei was supposed to be the heir to Trevor Lawrence‘s throne at Clemson. That didn’t end up happening, and the emergence of Cade Klubnik pushed the veteran QB out the door and into the transfer portal.

Before his transfer, Uiagalelei started for the Tigers for two seasons. Entering the collegiate ranks as a five-star recruit, Uiagalelei went on to pass for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Additionally, he wasn’t shy when it came to scrambling from the pocket having rushed for 913 yards and 15 touchdowns during his Clemson career.

He was never bad, per se, but he was never able to get Clemson over the hump and into the national title picture during his tenure. After transferring, Uiagalelei was critical of how Swinney’s offense hindered his abilities under center.

“I didn’t want to do what I was doing at Clemson. I didn’t really like what we did there scheme-wise,” Uiagalelei said. “It was very basic. It didn’t help me out as a quarterback and play to my strengths. I wanted to go somewhere that would play to my strengths and go somewhere that would develop me for the NFL. Play-action, work under center, throwing the ball deep.”

Now that he won’t be under the same type of microscope at Oregon State, Uiagalelei has the opportunity to play more freely than ever before. Based on his first touchdown, he’s already feeling comfortable in his new role.

Because Oregon State opened the season on the road against San Jose State, Beaver fans will have to wait another week to see Uiagalelei inside Reser Stadium. They’ll battle UC Davis for Week 2 at home and is a perfect opportunity for the former five-star recruit to introduce himself to the Oregon State fanbase.