FSU Drops Heartbreaker to Clemson, 37-34

What looked like the makings of a rout early on turned out to be a nail-biter as third-ranked Clemson made enough plays to take down No. 12 Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night, 37-34.

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett with 2:06 to play put Clemson ahead for good. Watson followed that up with a successful 2-point conversion toss to Mike Williams to extend the lead to three.

FSU reached the Clemson 34-yard-line on the ensuing drive after a long third down conversion to Travis Rudolph, but consecutive false starts took the Seminoles out of field goal range. The Tigers put the game away with consecutive sacks of FSU quarterback Deondre Francois on third and fourth down.

Early on, it looked as though Clemson might run away with the contest. Clemson’s first drive confirmed that FSU defense was still lackluster: the Tigers converted twice on third down and had a 41-yard connection between Watson and Leggett when the Seminoles chose to play zone. Wayne Gallman capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Florida State’s first offensive drive in response seemed like a carbon copy of the previous seven games. At one point, the Seminoles had pushed it past the Clemson 30-yard line and seemed to have a good rhythm going, before a personal foul on FSU guard Landon Dickerson and a sack ended the scoring opportunity.

The Tigers then took advantage with a 10-play, 80-yard drive capped with a Watson pass to Hunter Renfrow to go up 14-0. Watson began to flash his running ability and receiver Mike Williams appeared to be too much for FSU’s Tarvarus McFadden to handle. Clemson more than doubled FSU yardage in the first quarter, 147-67.

Florida State began to show some life in the second quarter. The first two Clemson drives resulted in a punt and an interception by Marquez White, setting the Florida State offense up nicely for a 6-play, 60-yard score. Dalvin Cook gained 30 yards on that one drive alone before punching it in from four yards out for his first of a career-high four touchdowns.

After a Greg Huegel field goal made it 17-7, FSU (5-3, 2-3 ACC) was able to take momentum into the locker room. Francois delivered with a 40-yard pass to Nyqwan Murray, a 24-yard pass to Kermit Whitfield, and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Murray again. The Seminoles went to the half down 17-14 to the Tigers after a strong close to the second quarter.

Murray led the Seminoles with 96 yards receiving on six catches while Francois finished the night with 286 yards passing despite being under constant duress.

Even though it started the second half with the ball, FSU was unable to get past midfield and had to punt it. Despite pinning Clemson inside the 5-yard line, and then forcing a 3rd-and-11, the Tigers (8-0, 5-0 ACC) were able to manage a field goal after impressive throws by Watson.

With 6:18 to play in the third quarter, FSU was able to take its first lead on a 43-yard touchdown run by Cook to put the Seminoles on top 21-20. On the next drive, Cook took a hand-off to the left for 70 yards and a touchdown, boosting the Noles to a 28-20 lead at the end of the third quarter.

With the crowd jumping and the fourth quarter starting, Clemson remained poised and began to move the ball downfield into FSU territory. Trey Marshall was ejected for targeting following a third down conversion, allowing the Tigers to get into the FSU red zone and punch it in at the goal line on the second score by Gallman. The FSU defense held strong however, and preserved a 28-26 lead as the 2-point conversion attempt from Clemson was no good.

Fisher added his perspective on the Marshall targeting call in his press conference. In addition to criticizing the officiating in general, Fisher said “I didn’t think it was targeting. Still don’t…they review that, they can review Deondre…being exposed on a two step deal, they don’t call that. Whoever is in the booth is bad too.”

Cook’s first carry on the next drive went for 40 yards, but a highly questionable penalty on fullback Freddie Stevenson followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the FSU sideline pushed FSU back near its own end zone. FSU was ultimately forced to punt, giving the Tigers the ball near midfield before Huegel put Clemson back in front 29-28 with a 46-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining.

Florida State came right back down the field. After a 38-yard run from Stevenson set FSU up with 1st-and-goal, Cook found the end zone for the fourth time — from eight yards out on this occasion. With the Seminoles up five at 34-29, Fisher elected to go for two, but Francois’ pass for Rudolph was incomplete with 3:23 remaining.

Cook finished that night with 169 yards rushing on 19 carries, but Clemson’s final drive took just five plays and 1:17 to go 75 yards. The score notched Clemson’s first victory in Tallahassee since 2006.

Watson passed for 378 yards and rushed for 52 more in the Clemson victory. Leggett led all receivers with 122 yards.

The loss eliminates FSU from ACC title contention and gives the Seminoles three losses in conference play for the first time since 2011. Sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden was able to add his FBS-leading sixth interception in the loss.

Clemson will return home next Saturday to take on Syracuse. The Seminoles will hit the road to face N.C. State.