RECAP: Florida State fumbles away early lead in seventh consecutive loss to Clemson

The Florida State Seminoles (4-3, 2-3 ACC) had misplaced two straight video games coming into Saturday evening’s contest towards the No. 4 Clemson Tigers (7-0, 5-0 ACC). Nonetheless, there was optimism that the Seminoles would reply towards one of many high groups within the nation. Following an early deficit, the Tigers overcame their struggles to earn a 31-14 victory on the highway. 

FSU confirmed the power to go toe to toe with Clemson within the opening quarter. The Seminoles went proper down the sphere and scored the primary landing of the evening on a 20-yard run from quarterback Jordan Travis. Head coach Mike Norvell and the offensive workers tried to make use of the Tigers’ aggressiveness on protection towards them early with a wide range of runs and brief screens. 

The strategy was profitable as Travis accomplished three of his first 4 passes. Operating again Trey Benson churned via the Clemson protection for 19 yards earlier than Travis juked a defender and minimize up-field to provide Florida State a 7-0 lead.

A penalty set again the Tigers on their opening possession. On third and 23, defensive finish Derrick McLendon laid successful on working again Will Shipley over the center to power an early punt.

Vast receiver Mycah Pittman returned the punt up the fitting aspect for 31 yards, breaking a deal with within the course of. It was the third punt return for 30+ yards for the Seminoles over their previous three video games.

With a possibility to take main management of the sport within the first half, Florida State’s offense faltered. The Seminoles went three and out because the left aspect of the offensive line was crushed throughout defensive finish Myles Murphy’s sack on Travis. A brief punt from Alex Mastromanno gave the Tigers respectable area place.

After three straight touches from Shipley, Florida State introduced cornerback Kevin Knowles on a blitz off the sting. Knowles didn’t get dwelling on quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who stepped up within the pocket and launched a 59-yard landing go to large receiver Antonio Williams. Security Akeem Dent bought caught behind the play, releasing up Williams for an enormous achieve.

Florida State’s third drive on offense was set again by an unlawful block within the again. Nonetheless, Travis hit large receiver Johnny Wilson for 22 yards on the primary play to maneuver the Seminoles out of the shadow of their very own goalpost. Travis related with large receiver Malik McClain on a powerful catch for a conversion on third down earlier than Benson discovered extra working room for a achieve of 16 yards. A run from working again Lawrance Toafili made it 1st and purpose however Clemson stopped FSU solely three consecutive performs. Fullback DJ Lundy punched via the center to place the ‘Noles up 14-7 early within the second quarter.

Clemson responded with an extended drive of its personal as Uiagalelei discovered Joseph Ngata for 19 yards and a conversion on third down. Defensive finish Derrick McLendon got here away with a sack earlier than dropping Uiagalelei on third and brief. The huge quarterback promptly saved the ball to achieve sufficient on fourth right down to hold the Tigers on the sphere. He hit Williams after which a wide-open Jake Briningstool to tie the sport at 14.

Benson carried the Seminoles into Clemson territory however Travis missed his subsequent two passes to carry up third and lengthy. The redshirt sophomore scrambled for eight yards because the offense ready to go for it on 4th and a couple of. Travis threw deep to Johnny Wilson the play however the go was deflected by Nate Wiggins. The Florida native didn’t see a wide-open participant out of the flat that might’ve possible resulted in a conversion.

The Tigers drove down the sphere but once more behind a wide range of runs from Shipley, together with two that netted a primary down on third down. Linebacker Tatum Bethune compelled an incompletion on third and seven from the 30. Clemson elected to kick the sphere purpose as BT Potter related from 47 yards out to provide the Tigers their first lead of the evening.

Trying to tie the sport or re-take the lead earlier than the half, Toafili discovered 19 yards to maneuver the offense in the direction of mid-field. On 2nd and 12, Travis regarded to throw downfield however offensive deal with Robert Scott was crushed badly off the sting by Murphy. Travis fumbled after being hit from behind and the ball was recovered by Clemson.

On the primary play of the following possession, Shipley went straight up the center for 36 yards to place the Tigers on the cusp of the purpose line. Uiagalelei ran it in himself with 19 seconds remaining within the half. All of the sudden, Clemson was on a 17-0 run, together with ten factors in simply 1:32 of recreation time. The Tigers led 24-14 on the break.

One staff got here out of the half able to play the third quarter and the opposite was apparently nonetheless within the locker room. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Shipley exploded for 69 yards earlier than being tripped up by linebacker Kalen DeLoach. Uiagalelei related with Davis Allen down the sideline for a 31-yard landing on the Tigers’ first offensive play.

Toafili was introduced down for a five-yard loss on Florida State’s first play of the second half. Travis accomplished his subsequent two passes to tight finish Cam McDonald for brief good points however the Seminoles went three and out and trotted out the punt staff.

The Tigers seemed to be enjoying for the faux and Florida State fell into the journey. Tight finish Wyatt Rector took the direct snap and was stuffed nicely in need of the road to achieve. Clemson took over contained in the Seminole 40 with an opportunity to proceed constructing their lead. Uiagalelei ran in for a landing however a holding penalty took the factors off the board. Dennis Briggs recorded a brief sack to power one other area purpose try from Potter, which was good. 

Travis discovered large receiver Ja’Khi Douglas downfield for 28 yards however an unlawful shift wiped away the achieve. Florida State went three and out once more. This time, the Seminoles punted it away. Clemson matched it with a 3 and out of its personal, which was additionally the Tigers’ first of the evening.

Trailing 34-14, Florida State lastly gained its first conversion of the second half with a go to Wilson with 3:05 to play within the third quarter. Again to again completions to Toafili netted one other first down. Travis was sacked by Ruke Orhorhoro on third down however a face masks penalty prolonged the drive.

Travis used his legs to get one other first down for the Seminoles earlier than go interference in the long run zone moved the ball to the two-yard line. Again-to-back poor passes from the 2 made it third and purpose for Florida State. Travis ran once more however was introduced down for a loss as Clemson compelled 4th and 4 with 12:52 to play.

Defensive finish Xavier Henry beat offensive deal with Jazston Turnetine inside and bought his fingers on Travis’ go. It was the third time of the evening that Florida State had turned the ball over on downs. Two of the fourth down makes an attempt got here inside 4 yards to achieve.

Following a Clemson punt, Toafili discovered 25 yards of working room on third and brief to maneuver the Seminoles close to the crimson zone. Travis hit Johnny Wilson over the center for 22 yards to make it 1st and purpose. On third down, he rolled out to his proper and located Douglas for a landing to chop the deficit to 34-21.

The Tigers netted just a few first downs to burn nearly all of the remaining clock earlier than punting it again with 4:01 remaining. The kick was nearly blocked however as a substitute, it hit the bottom on the FSU 1 and rolled to the 6, which was principally a narrative of the sport in a nutshell. 

Travis eluded two defenders and ran for a primary down earlier than hitting Markeston Douglas for 23 yards. Douglas introduced in one other catch on the following play and broke away from a deal with for 29 yards to maneuver Florida State into scoring place. Operating away from stress, Travis threw throughout his physique to large receiver Kentron Poitier for a landing. 

All of the sudden, the Seminoles had minimize the deficit to 34-28 with 2:17 to play. However, it was too little, too late for Florida State as Clemson recovered the following onside kick. With no timeouts remaining, the Tigers had been in a position to safe the victory in Tallahassee.

Florida State completed with 460 yards of whole offense within the recreation, together with 254 passing yards and 206 yards on the bottom. Travis accomplished 57% of his passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and nil interceptions. He additionally ran 14 instances for 64 yards and one other rating.

Operating again Trey Benson paced the Seminoles with 7 rushes for 69 yards. Operating again Lawrance Toafili added 11 carries for 68 yards and 6 catches for 45 yards. Vast receiver Johnny Wilson led the staff with 6 catches for 75 yards. Vast receiver Ja’Khi Douglas got here away together with his first landing catch this season.

On the opposite aspect of the ball, Florida State surrendered 370 yards of whole offense to Clemson. Defensive finish Derrick McLendon led the unit with eight tackles, one deal with for loss, and one sack. Security Jammie Robinson additionally recorded eight tackles whereas Dennis Briggs totaled two tackles and a sack.

Florida State has a BYE week earlier than returning to motion towards Georgia Tech on Saturday, October 29.

READ MORE: Florida State Seminoles launch Depth Chart for Clemson Tigers

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