Final: No. 2 Clemson 59, Florida State 10
Noon kickoffs aren't the norm in Tallahassee and based on the attendance at today's game against No. 2 Clemson, many Seminole fans had better things to do Saturday. Those that arrived late didn't miss much as the early goings were slow in Doak Campbell Stadium, but by the half, there were perhaps more empty seats than FSU fans in attendance as Clemson (8-0, 5-0) led 28-0 en route to a 59-10 win over the Seminoles (4-4, 2-4).
Clemson's 49 point win tied the largest loss in Seminole history and set a new mark in Doak Campbell Stadium topping a 58-14 loss to Southern Miss in 1981.
A moment during FSU's second drive was a microcosm of how the Seminole's day would go. On first down, the ball was snapped nearly twenty yards passed quarterback Deondre Francois. After it was recovered by running back Cam Akers, the FSU running back was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalty put the Seminoles in a 2nd and 43 against the Tigers' vaunted defense.
The two Atlantic Division foes exchanged several punts early on until Clemson finally hit on a 41-yard catch-and-run from Trevor Lawrence to Justyn Ross on the last play of the first quarter.
The game was scoreless. It didn't stay that way much longer.
Starting deep in Seminole territory to open the second quarter, the Tigers were forced to attempt a 40-yard field goal, which was wide right, but a roughing the kicker call on Asante Samuel Jr. kept the drive alive. Three plays later, Lawrence found Tee Higgins in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Clemson wouldn't fail to score on a drive again until their final possession of the half, hitting the end zone four consecutive times before the break.
Following the touchdown, the Tiger defense forced a quick Seminole punt, and Amari Rodgers delivered 29-yard punt return to spark a second consecutive scoring drive, setting the Tigers up at their own 42-yard line.
On the first play of the drive, Lawrence missed on a wheel-route that what would have most likely been a score. The true freshman quarterback was a bit off early, but his wideouts made up for the some of the miscues. Facing third-and-8, Higgins snagged a low pass that was just off the ground, keeping the drive alive, for an eleven yard gain. After back-to-back rushes of 10 and 15 yards from Travis Etienne, the Tigers were back in the red zone. Lawrence then found Higgins in the end zone for the second time, extending Clemson's lead to 14-0 with 7:49 left in the first half.
After a Tre Lamar interception, the Tigers had another chance to extend their lead. Lawrence took a big hit that was ruled targeting and Clemson was back in the red zone. The Tigers worked their way down to the one-yard line and brought in the jumbo package on 3rd down and goal. The 350-pound Dexter Lawrence lined up at fullback, standing behind him, 315-pound running back Christian Wilkins. Reminiscent of William "The Refrigerator" Perry's touchdown run in Super Bowl XX, Wilkins powered into the end zone expanding the lead to 21-0.
Another quick FSU three-and-out led to Clemson's offense finding paydirt again with a six play, 73-yard scoring drive capped by a Garrett Williams touchdown run from the two-yard line giving Clemson a 28-0 lead with just 1:07 until halftime.
Clemson's offensive onslaught continued on the second play of the second half has Lawrence found Rodgers, who broke a tackle and raced 58 yards into the end zone essentially ending any hopes that FSU would muster a comeback.
Even when Florida State's defense finally forced a punt, Seminole return man D.J. Matthew's muffed the return and Clemson's T.J. Chase recovered the football at the 16-yard line leading to a 24-yard B.T. Potter field goal.
Trailing 38-0, Florida State managed to move the ball 20 yards before punting the football back to the Tigers. On Clemson's first snap, Lawrence hit Rodgers again for a 68-yard score, Lawrence's fourth touchdown and final pass of the day.
Lawrence finished the game 20-37 for 314 yards and four touchdowns in Clemson's record-setting beatdown of Florida State.
The Seminoles were finally able to knock through a Ricky Aguayo field goal with 3:15 left in the third quarter making it 45-3.
Backup quarterback Chase Brice led a quick scoring drive of his own hitting Diondre Overton on a post route for 61-yards to the FSU eleven. Three plays later, Brice found Chase for a touchdown and a 52-3 lead with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
The Tigers tacked on another score after a poor punt gave Clemson the football at the FSU 25-yard line and Adam Choice would finish the drive, becoming the sixth Tiger to score a touchdown with a 15-yard scoring run.
Late in the game, FSU's James Blackman, in relief of Francois, found Keyshawn Helton on a 73-yard touchdown bring the score to 59-10.