Clemson at FSU: Gameday Primer

The ACC’s best two programs over the last five years will meet Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium as No. 12 Florida State plays host to third-ranked Clemson. Both teams are coming off a bye and FSU looks to be the biggest test standing between the Tigers and a second straight perfect regular season.

For the Seminoles this season, the offense has carried the team. Led by junior running back Dalvin Cook and his 900 rushing yards, the Seminoles are among the ACC’s leaders in yards and points per game. Redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois has played well this season while junior wide receiver Travis Rudolph will look to stay hot after a career game against Wake Forest. Defensively, the guy to watch is senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who leads the team with 8.5 sacks. As a whole, FSU has struggled defensively this year, but have been much better in recent weeks.

With defensive coordinator Brent Veanbles at the helm, the Clemson defense has been among the nation’s best this year. The Tigers are very good in all three facets with the defensive front led by Carlos Watkins and Christian Wilkins being perhaps the biggest strength. Offensively, there aren’t many better than junior quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson has 21 total touchdowns and good skill players around him, headlined by running back Wayne Gallman and wide receiver Mike Williams. Saturday’s game will begin at 8 p.m. EST and will air on ABC.

Quick Hits

• The winner of the annual Florida State-Clemson game has went on to play in the ACC Championship every season since 2009.
• FSU is 5-0 all-time against Clemson when both teams are ranked in the top 15.
• Clemson will be looking to win in Tallahassee for the first time since 2006. The Tigers will also be looking to defeat the Seminoles in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2006 and 2007.
• For just the second time under head coach Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles are underdogs at home. The first occasion came in 2011 when No. 1 Oklahoma was favored over fifth-ranked FSU.
• Over the last seven meetings, the team leading at halftime is just 2-5. FSU led 10-6 at the break last season before falling 23-13 at Clemson.
• Saturday’s game marks the first time since 1989 that Clemson has come to Tallahassee ranked higher than FSU.
• FSU won its first 11 games over the Tigers upon joining the ACC in 1992. The first Clemson win came in 2003 by a 26-10 margin.
• With a victory on Saturday, Florida State would become bowl-eligible for a 35th straight season.

Good Times, Bad Times

All-Time Series: Florida State leads 20-9.
Good Times: The single most memorable moment from the FSU-Clemson series has to the 1988 play that later came to be known as “puntrooskie”. With the contest tied 21-21 late, FSU was forced to punt from its own territory. Rather than actually kick the ball however, the Seminoles created a diversion as the up-man handed the ball between his legs to defensive back LeRoy Butler. Most FSU players went left, but Butler went right for a 78-yard gain. The big run set up Richie Andrews’ game-winning field goal as the No. 10 Seminoles beat third-ranked Clemson, 24-21.

Three of Florida State’s 20 wins in the series have come by way of shutout and the most notable of those came in 1993 as the Seminoles blanked the Tigers 57-0 behind six touchdown passes from Charlie Ward and Danny Kanell and a monster defensive game from linebacker Derrick Brooks. The Seminoles shut out the Tigers again in 1994 by a 17-0 score and then in 1998 by a 48-0 margin.

The first-ever top 5 match-up between Florida State and Clemson came in October 2013 at Death Valley. Behind 444 yards passing from eventual Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, the fifth-ranked Seminoles dominated from the start and never looked back. FSU cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was responsible for forcing three turnovers in a 51-14 romp of No. 3 Clemson. The 51 points was the most ever scored by a visitor at Memorial Stadium as FSU went on to win its third national championship.

Bad Times: The Tigers got payback for puntrooskie a year later in Tallahassee, winning 34-23 in 1989. Terry Allen scored three early touchdowns as Clemson raced to a 28-7 lead. Linebacker Wayne Simmons added to FSU’s misery with a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Florida State won 11 straight over Clemson upon joining the ACC, but in 2003, the Tigers finally broke through with an emphatic 26-10 victory over third-ranked FSU in Death Valley. Charlie Whitehurst passed for a Clemson touchdown and rushed for another while the Tigers’ defense frustrated FSU throughout the night. FSU didn’t score a touchdown until 2:14 remained when backup quarterback Fabian Walker hit Chauncey Stovall with a long pass.

Clemson’s only winning streak against Florida State came from 2005-07 when it won three straight. After stifling FSU at Death Valley in 2005 to the tune of 35-14, Clemson registered its first ACC win in Tallahassee the following year 27-20 on a late touchdown run by James Davis. FSU opened the 2007 season on Labor Day at Clemson and fell behind 24-3 early. The Seminoles scored the game’s final 15 points, but couldn’t get over the hump in a 24-18 loss.

For Your Reading Pleasure

Here are The Daily Nole articles related to Saturday’s prime time match-up between FSU and Clemson:

FSU Football: A First Look at Clemson
Clemson a Season-Defining Contest for FSU
Preview: FSU Welcomes Clemson for Biggest Game of Season
Rivals Come Together to Support Kidz1stFund
Stakes High for FSU, Higher for Clemson
Staff Predictions for FSU-Clemson
Noles Look to Play Keep-Away Against Watson, Tigers
FSU Football: Defense’s Progress to be Tested Against Clemson
FSU-Clemson: Five Things to Watch
Ranking FSU’s Top 5 Moments vs. Clemson at Home

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson