CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Instant Analysis: No. 21 Clemson 35, No. 11 FSU 30

Instant Analysis: No. 21 Clemson 35, No. 11 FSU 30


by - Senior Writer -

Instant Analysis: Clemson 35, Florida St. 30

What went right:The Tigers won. The offense avoided a slow start that plagued the team in recent weeks and put up 21 quick points. Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS So. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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looked decisive and was making the right reads, and he also made several plays with his legs. The defense came up with a big turnover in the second quarter.

Also, with Clemson facing a Seminole team that kept making big plays on offense in the second half, Chad Morris and his offense seemingly always had an answer.

In the past, the Clemson program has been known for following up a big win by laying an egg the next week. In this game in particular, facing the No. 11 team in the nation, there were several opportunities for the Tigers to roll over and play dead, but kept finding ways to make plays. Tight end Dwayne AllenDwayne Allen
RS Jr. Tight End
#83 6-3, 255
Fayetteville, NC

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and receiver Nuk Hopkins came up with clutch catch after clutch catch.

The defense, and Rennie MooreRennie Moore
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 265
Saint Marys, GA

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, came up with a big fourth quarter stop when it had to.

What went wrong: The defense allowed a scoring drive to open the game, and Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
So. Defensive Back
#21 5-11, 170
College Park, GA

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allowed FSU receiver Rodney Smith to get behind him on a 57-yard touchdown. Following a Quandon ChristianQuandon Christian
RS So. Linebacker
#34 6-2, 220
Lake View, SC

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interception that gave the Tigers the chance to go up either 28-10 or at least 24-10, the offense sputtered and Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS So. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 200
Greenville, SC

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missed a 35-yard field goal.

The second half wasn’t much better for the defense, which consistently gave up big passing plays. The Tiger defense had no answer for Rashad Greene or FSU quarterback Clint Trickett, who kept making big plays on third down.

Also, with just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers faced a fourth-and-1 at the FSU 23-yard line, and opted to try and convert the fourth down instead of kicking a field that, if good, would have put the Tigers up by eight. Ellington was stuffed for no gain.

Turning Point of the Game :Facing a fourth-and-three at the Clemson 43-yard line and trailing by five, the Seminoles first jumped offsides and then Rennie Moore slammed the door on the FSU chances by sacking Trickett.

Stat of the game: Clemson ran up 460 yards of total offense, and Tajh Boyd was 23-of-36 for 344 yards and three touchdowns.

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