CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Heartbreaker in Tallahassee
Clemson's defense had five sacks, but it wasn't enough

Heartbreaker in Tallahassee


by - Senior Writer -

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Clemson has found a variety of ways to lose heartbreaking football games over the years, but Saturday night’s overtime loss to Florida St. may have been the biggest heartbreak of all.

The Tigers had the ball inside of Florida St. territory with just over two minutes to play, but a fumble by C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-10, 203
Clemson, SC

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forced overtime and No. 1 Florida St. scored on a touchdown in the first overtime as the ‘Noles escaped with a 23-17 win over the Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium late Saturday night.

The Tigers had the ball first in overtime, but Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA

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was stopped short on fourth-and-inches at the 16 yard line. Florida St. took over and Karlos Williams scored on a 12-yard run for the win.

The Tigers dominated in the statistical categories, but two missed field goals and three lost chances in the red zone doomed Clemson. One bright spot – the Tigers look like they have found a starter in Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA

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, who was 19 of 28 for 266 yards. However, it was a botched snap on a play at the half-yard line, the failed fourth down play and the two missed field goals that doomed the Tigers in the loss.

The Tigers are now 0-5 all-time against No. 1 teams, and four of those losses have been to Florida St. Ironically, Florida St. had just one yard rushing on the night before the winning score. Clemson outgained the ‘Noles 407-318, and sacked backup quarterback Sean Maguire five times and had eight tackles for loss. But the defense finally buckled under the missed chances of the offense and special teams.

The teams traded punts on the initial possessions of the game, but the Tigers managed to get inside the Seminole 10-yard line on their second possession. On third-and-three at the FSU six, Stoudt’s pass to a wide-open Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL

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was low, and the Tigers settled for a 23-yard field goal attempt by Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 200
Alpharetta, GA

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. Lakip shanked the kick, and the Seminoles responded by getting a 49-yard field goal from Roberto Aguayo for a 3-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.

The Tiger defense held the ‘Noles off the scoreboard through the rest of the quarter, and Watson led Clemson’s first scoring drive of the night, a drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal by Lakip.

Watson stayed in the game and led a drive that ended in a punt, but with Clemson’s defense overwhelming the Florida St. offense, Watson stayed in to take over on his third consecutive drive. Facing a third-and-six at the Nole13-yard line, the freshman fired a laser to Jordan Leggett for the first down. One play later D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Sr. Running Back
#22 6-0, 205
Lincoln, AL

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barged over from two yards out and Clemson had the 10-3 lead with just over six minutes left in the half.

The Seminoles adjusted to Clemson’s rush and came out with quick throws on the first drive of the second half, and tied the game at 10-10 on a short touchdown run by Mario Pender four minutes into the second half.

Late in the third quarter, the Tigers had a drive that advanced down to the Seminole half-yard line. Stanton SeckingerStanton Seckinger
RS Jr. Tight End
#81 6-4, 241
Isle of Palms, SC

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appeared to catch a back-shoulder throw from Watson for the touchdown, but his knee was ruled down just short of the goal line. Two plays later, center Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 292
Simpsonville, SC

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snapped the shotgun snap 23 yards over Watson’s head, and the Tigers had to settle for a 40-yard field goal attempt by Lakip that sailed wide right.

Clemson’s defense rose to the occasion on the ensuing drive. The ‘Noles pushed a drive up to near midfield, but Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 244
Polkton, NC

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forced a quick throw and the pass bounced off of tight end Nick O’Leary’s hands, and it was intercepted by Jayron KearseJayron Kearse
So. Safety
#20 6-4, 215
Fort Myers, FL

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.

The Tigers made the Seminoles pay, but it took a miraculous diving catch by Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC

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to make the drive count. Williams caught a 39-yarder from Watson - he was double-covered on the play but dove in between the two defenders to make the catch at the three. One play later Watson pushed it into the endzone for his first career rushing touchdown, and Clemson led 17-10 with just under 12 minutes to play.

The teams traded punts, and when Clemson sacked Maguire on Florida St.’s second play on the next drive, the ‘Noles faced a second-and-24. However, corner MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL

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fell down and Maguire hit Rashad Greene in stride for a 74-yard scoring strike, leaving the teams tied at 17-17 with 6:04 remaining.

Clemson was forced to put, and the ‘Noles had a chance to drive down for the win, getting the ball back with just over four minutes remaining. However, Maguire’s pass over the middle was intercepted by Jadar JohnsonJadar Johnson
So. Defensive Back
#18 6-1, 207
Orangeburg, SC

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, and it was the Tigers who appeared poised for the win, taking over at the FSU 26-yard line with just over two minutes remaining.

Two plays later, Davidson fumbled and FSU took over at their own 14 with 1:36 left on the clock. Instead of driving for the win, however, the ‘Noles ran out the clock to force overtime.

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4 OT [ 5 ]   Score

-----------------    -- -- -- -- -- [ - ]   -----

Clemson............. 0 10 0 7 0 [ 0 ] - 17 Record: (1-2,0-1)

Florida State....... 3 0 7 7 6 [ 6 ] - 23 Record: (3-0,1-0)

Scoring Summary:

1st 07:40 FS - Roberto Aguayo 50 yd field goal, 9-48 3:22, CU 0 - FS 3

2nd 14:52 CU - Ammon Lakip 30 yd field goal, 10-75 4:43, CU 3 - FS 3

05:56 CU - D.J. Howard 1 yd run (Ammon Lakip kick), 6-47 2:54, CU 10 - FS 3

3rd 11:05 FS - Mario Pender 1 yd run (Roberto Aguayo kick), 9-68 3:52, CU 10 - FS 10

4th 11:44 CU - Deshaun Watson 2 yd run (Bradley Pinion kick), 4-64 1:32, CU 17 - FS 10

06:04 FS - Rashad Greene 74 yd pass from Sean Maguire (Roberto Aguayo kick), 3-76 1:21, CU 17 - FS 17

OT 15:00 FS - Karlos Williams 12 yd run, 2-25 0:00, CU 17 - FS 23

CU FS

FIRST DOWNS................... 17 18

RUSHES-YARDS (NET)............ 40-101 27-13

PASSING YDS (NET)............. 306 305

Passes Att-Comp-Int........... 33-22-0 39-21-2

TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS..... 73-407 66-318

Fumble Returns-Yards.......... 0-0 0-0

Punt Returns-Yards............ 1-0 1-28

Kickoff Returns-Yards......... 2-25 4-65

Interception Returns-Yards.... 2-28 0-0

Punts (Number-Avg)............ 7-43.1 8-40.4

Fumbles-Lost.................. 1-1 0-0

Penalties-Yards............... 3-29 8-41

Possession Time............... 32:41 27:19

Third-Down Conversions........ 5 of 16 4 of 15

Fourth-Down Conversions....... 0 of 1 0 of 0

Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 3-7 2-2

Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 5-49 1-4

RUSHING: Clemson-C.J. Davidson 12-54; Deshaun Watson 12-30; Cole Stoudt

4-24; Adam Choice 6-9; Wayne Gallman 4-6; D.J. Howard 1-1; TEAM 1-minus 23.

Florida State-Karlos Williams 10-45; Mario Pender 8-15; Dalvin Cook 1-3; TEAM

1-minus 2; Rashad Greene 1-minus 2; Sean Maguire 6-minus 46.

PASSING: Clemson-Deshaun Watson 19-28-0-266; Cole Stoudt 3-5-0-40.

Florida State-Sean Maguire 21-39-2-305.

RECEIVING: Clemson-Adam Choice 4-46; Charone Peake 3-28; Mike Williams

2-72; Germone Hopper 2-52; Artavis Scott 2-34; Adam Humphries 2-20; C.J.

Davidson 2-10; Wayne Gallman 2-3; Stanton Seckinger 1-19; Jordan Leggett 1-12;

Jay Jay McCullough 1-10. Florida State-Rashad Greene 9-135; Nick O'Leary 6-78;

Jesus Wilson 4-56; Karlos Williams 1-27; Christian Green 1-9.

INTERCEPTIONS: Clemson-Jadar Johnson 1-24; Jayron Kearse 1-4. Florida

State-None.

FUMBLES: Clemson-C.J. Davidson 1-1. Florida State-None.

Stadium: Doak Campbell Attendance: 82316

Kickoff time: 8:25 End of Game: 11:54 Total elapsed time: 3:29

Officials: Referee: Gary Patterson; Umpire: Rich McMahan; Linesman: Michael Kelley;

Line judge: Deon Lawrence; Back judge: Hans Wittelsber; Field judge: Harry Tyson;

Side judge: Tony Tarantini;

Temperature: 75 Wind: NE 5-10 Weather: clear, 86% humidity

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Subject (Replies: 86) Author
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TigerNet News®
spacer Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
jba6ch®
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
bumcdonald
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
mattthematty
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
bumcdonald
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
mattthematty
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
SAG6060®
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
edmaddict09
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
scotts_®
spacer Re: Thanks chad. This ones on you. Terrible job
SAG6060®
spacer Re: New Story: Heartbreaker in Tallahassee
lmcountryboy
spacer Any good HS kickers out there need a scholarship? 1 availabl***
jba6ch®
spacer Re: Any good HS kickers out there need a scholarship? 1 availabl***
Terp77
spacer Re: Any good HS kickers out there need a scholarship? 1 availabl***
Terp77
spacer Dabo can't beat a good team consistently
bumcdonald
spacer Just lost on the road to #1 team in nation...
TigerTown
spacer Re: Just lost on the road to #1 team in nation...
bumcdonald
spacer 4th team? You mean, when we beat the WV kid....
TigerTown
spacer That sentiment is valid only if
tigerpathmd®
spacer Like we were missing in our game @ UGa?
TigerTown
spacer Re: That sentiment is valid only if
rwwjr
spacer Re: Dabo can't beat a good team consistently
Tiger4life03
spacer Re: Dabo can't beat a good team consistently
bumcdonald
spacer Re: Dabo can't beat a good team consistently
Tigerluvr
spacer Re: Dabo can't beat a good team consistently
tiger james
spacer Over the last 3 years we have had plenty of TD's not being
tiggerz04
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slumdog
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tiger james
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kelleysjewelry
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kelleysjewelry
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kerigantoo
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macveen
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rwwjr
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Foothills Tiger®
spacer 4th down
pawsitivelytiger
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kelleysjewelry
spacer BTW, there is a full blown QB controversy now
jba6ch®
spacer Re: BTW, there is a full blown QB controversy now
Stone Cold Tiger
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hospiceChaplain
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bigb71089
spacer I'm #### serious when I say I'll take 10-2 over 7-5 any day
tiggerz04
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rwwjr
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slumdog
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Mooka
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slumdog
spacer Pulling a Clemson, just became a thing again. Thx Chad***
jba6ch®
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lkirk
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Tigerluvr
spacer OC Seeking Coaching Job
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CoachAb24
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rwwjr
spacer BV and the Defense
jba6ch®
spacer Re: BV and the Defense
Tigerluvr
spacer Chad, man up and take the well deserved blame***
jba6ch®
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LanceC
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kerigantoo
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rwwjr
spacer Too many mistakes
dattiger05
spacer Re: Too many mistakes
BenSkidmore
spacer Couldn't even read this.
gat1ger®
spacer Re: Couldn't even read this.
kerigantoo
spacer Re: Couldn't even read this.
Mooka
spacer Re: Couldn't even read this.
slumdog
spacer Jameis is the man!
clemsonfan1010
spacer Re: Jameis is the man!
rwwjr
spacer Hurts...
dakid91
spacer We won the game by 7 and should have won by 21
orangeblood10
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macveen
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spacer Ray Rice says...
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spacer Re: Ray Rice says...
rwwjr
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kingmcelrath88®
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kingmcelrath88®
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kingmcelrath88®
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kingmcelrath88®