Instant Analysis: No. 4 FSU 49, No. 10 Clemson 37 |
TALLAHASSEE, FL- Instant Analysis: FSU 49, Clemson 37
What went right: The Tigers started off the night with a bang when quarterback
Tajh BoydTajh Boyd On the Tigers’ next drive, with Clemson facing a fourth down inside the Nole 20-yard line, kicker
Spencer BentonSpencer Benton Following the first two touchdown drives, the Tiger offense sputtered, but the second punt was fumbled by FSU and recovered by Clemson. The Tigers made the Noles pay when Boyd hit
Brandon FordBrandon Ford FSU kicker Dustin Hopkins, usually reliable, missed two first half field goals and the Noles had the half’s only turnover. The Tigers brought out the bag of tricks early in the second half as Boyd threw back to Watkins, who then hit a wide-open
Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro What went wrong: The defense continued to give up big plays, especially on outside runs. FSU quarterback E.J. Manuel chewed up the Tigers on the Noles’ first drive, and the second drive was much the same. Clemson had to call a couple of early timeouts because of issues getting personnel on the field. Clemson challenged a second quarter fumble by FSU – the ruling on the field was that the runner was down – and the call was upheld. Facing a third-and-three at their own 42-yard line, Morris reached into his bag of tricks and had
Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins The Seminoles did drive down the field, getting a big punt return on special teams and then marching down the field with no timeouts. They made it look easy on Clemson’s defense, but did have to settle for a Dustin Hopkins field goal attempt. The defense – this graph can explain it all. Florida St. had receivers open in flat, down the middle, up the sidelines and anywhere else they could run. Clemson was called for two pass interference penalties, and the tackling was less than poor – it was atrocious. In all, FSU rang up 27 first downs and was 7-for-12 on third down. The Noles also rushed for 287 yards while passing for 380 yards. Manuel had 482 total yards of offense on his own. Turning Point of the Game:Clemson had just used a trick play to go up 28-14, but the Tiger kickoff was returned to Clemson 11-yard line. The Seminoles punched it in quite easily, and the Tigers never recovered after that play as Florida St. went on a 35-3 run after that play. Stat of the Game: The defense gave up 667 total yards of offense. You read that one right – 667 total yards.
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
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hit Nuk Hopkins on a 60-yard touchdown on the game’s first drive. The catch was the longest of Hopkins’ career.
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#13 6-1, 195
Myrtle Beach, SC
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passed the ball to fullback
Darrell SmithDarrell Smith
RS Jr. Fullback
#40 6-2, 250
Gadsden, AL
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for a first down. Clemson would later score on the drive.
Gr. Tight End
#80 6-4, 240
Wando, SC
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for Clemson’s third touchdown.
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
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on a wheel route and a 52-yard touchdown as Clemson held a 28-14 lead.
RS Jr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
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hit a 51-yard field goal – the longest of his career – giving him 15 consecutive field goals dating back to last season, a Clemson record.
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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attempt a pass down the field to
Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
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, who was wide open. The pass was slightly overthrown, and Clemson had to punt, giving FSU the ball back with time to score.
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