No. 4 Clemson, Etienne sprint past Florida State 31-14
Clemson (9-1, 7-1) locked up the Atlantic Division of the ACC with their 31-14 win over Florida State (3-6, 3-5).
The two teams traded punches early as both defenses notched three and outs to open the game.
On Clemson's second drive, the Tigers moved the ball into Seminole territory but were forced to punt. Punter Will Spiers delivered a beauty, pinning the Seminoles in deep at their 10-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, Florida State's true freshman quarterback James Blackman was crushed on back to back plays. The first hit coming from Austin Bryant on a Seminole overthrow. The second would lead to Clemson's first score of the day as Tre Lamar obliterated Blackman, who coughed the ball up, and the Tigers recovered at the Florida State 20 yard line.
The Tigers capitalized on the Seminole mistake, and quarterback Kelly Bryant capped off the touchdown scoring drive with a 2-yard run giving Clemson a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was Bryant's 10th on the ground this season.
On Florida State's, next drive, Clemson's defense continued to own the field of play and on the final play of the first quarter Austin Bryant sacked Blackman. Following a punt, the Tigers would get a chance to extend their lead.
On Clemson's next possession, facing a 3rd and nine Bryant delivered a strike to Trevion Thompson for 15 yards keeping the drive alive. Clemson would close in on the goal line before turning it over. At the two-yard line, Tavien Feaster coughed the ball up, and the Seminoles recovered.
Pinned in deep again, Clemson's defense got after the young quarterback again. On 3rd and 9, Clemson's Clelin Ferrell hit Blackman, knocked the ball loose. A heady play by Alec Eberle was the only thing that kept the Tigers from picking up a touchdown or safety.
It was that kind of day for FSU.
Ray-Ray McCloud returned the following Seminole punt 42-yards and freshman running back Travis Etienne sprinted 28 yards giving Clemson a 14-0 lead.
More Clemson defensive sacks lead to another three-and-out for FSU. The Tigers racked up 5 on the day, and Clemson's defense had their way throughout the contest.
The Tigers would squander another chance at six when Bryant fumbled the ball after being hit by an FSU defender, but Tremayne Anchrum recovered the loose ball, and Alex Spence knocked through a field goal.
At the half, Clemson led a hapless Flordia State team 17-0.
Jimbo Fisher's group came out with a bit of a flurry to open the second half, facing a 4th and two on Clemson's 25-yard line, Blackman had a wide open Alden Tate who dropped a pass that would have led to a big first down.
Clemson couldn't capitalize, and the two foes would continue to trade punts throughout the remainder of the third quarter until a seven play 90-yard drive by FSU. Aided by two pass interference calls, the Seminoles finally cracked the scoreboard. Blackman hit Nyqwan Murray down the seam for a 39-yard hookup, then Jacques Patrick punched in the first six of the day for Florida State.
Clemson was once again stuffed gaining just 11 yards before punting for the fifth time during the contest.
Following a sack by Christian Wilkins, the Seminoles were tasked with facing 3rd and 14 against Clemson's stout defense. Dorian O'Daniel gave chase to Murray but slipped to the turf. Blackman fired a deep ball down the field to a wide-open Murray who couldn't quite haul it in. FSU's offense had once again missed a chance to strike.
Following their fourth punt of the quarter, Florida State would finally hit on a big play. The 'Noles put together a 3 play 85-yard drive capped by a reverse pass from Blackman to Ryan Izzo for a 60-yard score making it 17-14.
On Clemson's next possession, Bryant was hit and the ball came free and Florida State pounced on the loose ball.
Down three, with all the momentum, Florida State tried to hit on another big play.
Blackman dropped back, looking for Murray gain, but this time Van Smith was in the way and the junior from Charlotte, NC returned the ball 38 yards giving energy to a nervous Death Valley crowd.
It was that kind of day for FSU.
That was all that Clemson would need as Etienne did his best Marshawn Lynch impersonation on a 25-yard run. Stiff arming a man, then bouncing back on his feet Etienne was stopped just short of the goal.
Two plays later, Etienne wouldn't be denied and Clemson stretched their lead to 24-14 with just 3:05 left. Etienne had 97 yards rushing on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
The Seminole offense turned the ball over on downs.
It was that kind of day for FSU.
Clemson took over and Adam Choice would close out the scoring with a 4-yard run giving Clemson a 31-14 lead, and ultimately the ACC Atlantic Division title.
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