Instant Analysis: "Dark Places" describes FSU's day in loss to Tigers

Christian Wilkins scores a second-half touchdown (Photo by Melina Myers, USAT)

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Oct 27 15:58:54 GMT-04:00 2018

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Dark Places.

A Florida State fan was shown repeatedly reading Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places. Seminole football players, coaching staffs and fans probably found themselves in their own dark places following Clemson’s 59-10 dismantling of Florida State Saturday afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Clemson’s offense could pretty much call their own shots for the last three-quarters of the game. Trevor Lawrence got into a rhythm after the roughing the kicker call in the second quarter. In the just two-and-a-half quarters, Lawrence completed 20-of-37 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns. It was Lawrence’s second consecutive and career 300-yard game.

Another difference maker on the day was sophomore wide receiver Amari Rodgers, who had a breakout day. Rodgers caught six passes for 156 yards and two scores, including the first touchdown of the second half.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: After being knocked out of last year’s Florida State game with a stinger, linebacker Tre Lamar got his revenge. Lamar had three tackles and an interception. The interception came on a floater from FSU quarterback Deondre Francois - it was tipped at the line of scrimmage - and Lamar returned 43 yards setting up Clemson’s third touchdown of the game.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:

*Roughing the kicker – Clemson’s offense was stopped on its first drive of the second quarter, but Asante Samuel hit kicker Greg Huegel on a missed field goal giving Clemson the ball back. Three plays later, Lawrence hit Tee Higgins with a seven-yard touchdown pass getting the Clemson offense rolling.

*Big man touchdown – Co-offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott gave the jumbo package a little twist. Instead of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence blocking for a running back, Lawrence and Wilkins lined up in I-formation behind quarterback and Wilkins rumbled one-yard into the end zone for his first career rushing touchdown and a 21-0 Clemson lead.

STAT OF THE GAME: With his four touchdown passes, quarterback Trevor Lawrence (12 coming into Saturday’s game) broke Deshaun Watson's school record for touchdown passes by a true freshman (14 in 2014). Lawrence’s 314 passing yards gave him 1,490 yards for the season also breaking Watson's school record for passing yards by a first-year freshman (1,466).

UP NEXT: Clemson meets Louisville Saturday in a high noon matchup in Death Valley. The Cardinals lost to Wake Forest 56-35 Saturday.

Florida State travels to Raleigh to take on N.C. State.