Just when it appeared Clemson might let a comfortable lead slip away, Tait Reynolds delivered the biggest play of his young career.
The freshman quarterback broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run with 3:17 remaining, helping Clemson hold off Florida State for a 36-24 victory Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The run, the longest touchdown rush by a quarterback in Clemson history, came after the Seminoles had trimmed a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to just five points.
For a Clemson team that entered the weekend searching for consistency on offense, Reynolds provided the answer when the Tigers needed it most.
Clemson improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in ACC play, while Florida State dropped to 3-5 and 1-4 in the conference.
The victory also marked another milestone for head coach Dabo Swinney, who reached 192 career victories, the most by an FBS head coach through the first 19 seasons of a coaching career. Swinney also tied Bobby Bowden for the most ACC regular-season victories.
Clemson Builds Its Lead Behind Reynolds and Hauser
Clemson entered Saturday's matchup having thrown just two touchdown passes through its first seven games. By halftime, Reynolds had matched that total.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the first quarter when Reynolds connected with Christian Bentancur on an 18-yard touchdown pass, capping a quick two-play, 30-yard drive.
Florida State answered with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Daniels to Micahi Danzy, tying the game at 7-7.
Nolan Hauser put Clemson back in front with a field goal, giving the Tigers a 10-7 advantage after the opening quarter.
The Seminoles tied the game early in the second quarter, but Clemson responded with 13 unanswered points before halftime.
Hauser connected on another field goal to make it 13-10 before junior defensive back Jerome Carter intercepted Daniels and returned the football to Clemson's 49-yard line.
The Tigers capitalized on the takeaway with a touchdown drive, as Reynolds found Olsen Patt-Henry for a score with 1:38 remaining.
Clemson's defense delivered another opportunity moments later when Elliot Washington II intercepted Daniels with 52 seconds remaining in the half.
Hauser converted a 50-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Tigers into the locker room with a 23-10 advantage.
Defense and Hauser Keep Florida State at a Distance
Clemson continued to control the game through the third quarter, even as the offense struggled to finish drives.
After forcing a Florida State three-and-out that included a third-down sack by Sammy Brown, the Tigers moved into scoring position on a 24-yard completion from Reynolds to Tyler Brown.
Hauser connected from 46 yards to extend Clemson's advantage to 26-10.
Florida State threatened to respond on its next possession, moving deep into Clemson territory before Darien Mayo forced a fumble that was recovered by Jahiem Lawson
The takeaway was Clemson's third of the night and helped preserve its 16-point advantage.
The Tigers carried that lead into the fourth quarter before Hauser added his fourth field goal of the evening, connecting from 49 yards to push Clemson ahead 29-10.
At that point, Clemson appeared firmly in control.
But Florida State wasn't finished.
Seminoles Rally Before Reynolds Delivers
Florida State mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback behind Daniels and a passing attack that had struggled to sustain drives earlier in the contest.
A 52-yard completion to Danzy helped set up a Daniels touchdown run. The Seminoles converted the two-point attempt to cut Clemson's lead to 29-18 with 8:52 remaining.
After Clemson went three-and-out, Florida State struck again.
Daniels connected with Jasen Lopez for a 41-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 29-24 with 5:24 left. Washington broke up the ensuing two-point attempt, preserving Clemson's five-point lead.
Suddenly, a game Clemson had controlled for much of the evening had become a one-possession contest.
The Tigers took over at their own 23-yard line, needing to move the football and drain the clock.
A holding penalty pushed Clemson backward, but consecutive runs by Jarvis Green helped set up a third-and-12.
That's when Reynolds delivered.
He broke through the Florida State defense and raced 79 yards for a touchdown, producing the longest scoring run by a quarterback in Clemson history.
The explosive play restored Clemson's 12-point advantage with 3:17 remaining and effectively halted Florida State's comeback.
The Seminoles mounted one final drive, advancing inside Clemson's 10-yard line before Washington intercepted Daniels for the second time.
The takeaway, Washington's fifth interception of the season, sealed the victory and completed Clemson's four-turnover defensive performance.
Reynolds Makes History as Clemson Finds a Way
Reynolds finished the night completing 18 of 32 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
He also led Clemson in rushing with 85 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, highlighted by his record-setting 79-yard score.
Brown led Clemson's receivers with five catches for 74 yards, while Bryant Wesco Jr. added four receptions for 33 yards. T.J. Moore contributed three catches for 36 yards.
On the ground, Green finished with 37 yards on nine carries, while Gideon Davidson added 36 yards on 12 attempts.
Clemson totaled 351 yards of offense, including 162 rushing yards, and controlled possession for 34:11.
Hauser proved equally important, converting all five of his field goal attempts, including kicks from 35 (twice), 50, 49, and 46 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers forced four turnovers without committing one themselves. Clemson also recorded four sacks and nine tackles for loss while holding Florida State to just 65 rushing yards.
Daniels finished 21-of-33 passing for 350 yards and two touchdowns but threw three interceptions. The Seminoles actually outgained Clemson 415-351, but their inability to protect the football proved costly.
Florida State converted just one of 10 third-down opportunities, while Clemson finished 4-of-17.
A Needed Victory, With Questions Remaining
For Clemson, Saturday's victory provided a much-needed response following the Tigers' 20-16 home loss to Virginia Tech.
The offense produced three touchdowns, including two through the air, while Hauser continued to demonstrate why he has been one of Clemson's most dependable players.
The defense created four takeaways and consistently disrupted Florida State's rushing attack.
Still, the Tigers were far from flawless.
Clemson converted just four of 17 third-down opportunities, struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack outside of Reynolds' explosive touchdown and allowed Florida State to score 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
The Seminoles' late surge exposed some of the same concerns that have followed
