Though it looked like the game was going to be close, Clemson pulled out the win in dramatic fashion. Their 31-14 victory also sends them to the ACC Championship game where they will play Miami (FL).
Both teams came out sluggishly on offense, registering a three-and-out. Clemson’s second drive went a little better as they got the ball into Seminole territory, but were driven back on consecutive runs. The Tigers elected to punt them deep.
Florida State continued to struggle moving the ball which forced quarterback James Blackman into a passing situation. The offensive line wasn’t holding up well and it culminated in a strip sack by Clemson linebacker Tre Lamar. The Tigers would take over on Florida State’s 20-yard line.
On 3rd-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Kelly Bryant faked the pitch and followed his blockers into the end zone giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead. It was his tenth rushing touchdown of the year which leads all Clemson players.
just a bit later, Clemson made another long drive into Florida State territory, but Tavien Feaster fumbled the ball on the 2-yard line with 8:20 left in the second quarter. Defensive end Brian Burns caused it and defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas recovered it.
Florida State did nothing on offense and kicked it to Ray-Ray McCloud who returned it deep into Florida State territory. The ensuing play was a 28-yard touchdown run by Trav is Etienne that took five seconds. The Tigers now up 14-0.
The Clemson defense yet again shut down the Seminole offense and quickly gave the ball back to the offense. It looked like the Tigers would score another touchdown, but Kelly Bryant fumbled on the 1-yard line. It ended up back in Clemson hands due to some terrible Florida State recovery attempts. Alex Spence put the ball through the uprights for the 26-yard field goal and a 17-0 Tiger lead.
With Florida State receiving the ball back after an inept Clemson series, Ryan Carter was targeted by Emmett Rice on the punt return. He left the game after being down on the field for a few minutes.
Florida State was saved by a couple of pass interference penalties that led to their first touchdown drive of the game late in the third quarter. They went 90 yards in just 3:38.
A couple of Clemson secondary gaffes could have made this game a lot closer, but luckily that didn’t happen. Nyqwan Murray was wide open deep downfield, but Blackman put too much air under the ball and put it just too far out of reach.
The comeback was in full force when Ryan Izzo was more than wide open and took it to the house for a 60-yard touchdown that brought the Seminoles to within three.
It seemed all but likely that Florida State would overtake the Tigers. With newfound fire, the ‘Noles forced another fumble from Bryant giving them all of the momentum. Blackman came out firing, but he found the arms of safety Van Smith rather than his own receivers. It was Smith’s first interception of the year and it turned the tide of the game.
After a few quick throws, Clemson had pushed its way into Florida State territory. Travis Etienne barreled his way through multiple defenders and went down at the 4-yard line. He punched it in for the score two plays later putting the Tigers back up by 10 late in the fourth.
Clemson forced the Seminoles to another three-and-out, got the ball back, and let Adam Choice power his way through three Florida State defenders for the touchdown.
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Clemson seals ACC Atlantic with win over Florida State
Colin Halm, Asst. Sports Editor
November 11, 2017
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