CFB Fans Teed Off on Dabo Swinney, Clemson for Blown Lead vs. Florida State

There were some questionable late game decisions by Dabo Swinney and his staff late in Saturday’s loss to Florida State.

No. 4 Florida State survived a road scare in Death Valley, 31–24 in overtime over Clemson on Saturday afternoon.

The Seminoles never led in regulation, as it took until the first overtime for Florida State to capture its first lead of the day. The game even getting into overtime was a surprise in and of itself.

Clemson had all the momentum, driving down the field late in regulation, but some questionable play calling put the ball back in Florida State’s court. Tigers offensive coordinator Garrett Riley called a pass play in second down deep in Seminoles’ territory with just over a minute to play, which caused the clock to stop. 

Clemson would line up a 29-yard field goal two plays later with kicker Jonathan Weitz, who just rejoined the team this week. Weitz missed the chip shot field goal, giving Florida State an opportunity to drive down the field to win the game in regulation. Clemson’s defense held though, leading to a 24–24 tie heading into overtime.

In the extra frame, Florida State scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Travis to wide receiver Keon Coleman as the Seminoles took their first lead of the game. On the ensuing possession, Clemson was faced with third down and short and the Tigers elected to throw the ball to the boundary, which was snuffed out by Florida State. It was the second questionable decision by the Clemson offense in crunch time, and it proved consequential. The Seminoles stopped the Tigers on fourth down to end the game and survive a wild game in Death Valley.

The late game mismanagement by the Clemson offensive staff had college football fans up in arms. Here are some of the best social media reactions from a wild game on Saturday in Death Valley.

Sometimes Dabo reacts to things Clemson does as if he had zero influence on them

— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) September 23, 2023

The Garrett Riley playbook has 436 different short passes in it, and Clemson's last 3 plays of regulation were a weird misdirectiony thing that had no chance, a forfeit of a QB draw, and a forfeit of a run with no timeouts left. The team trying to win should win in OT.

— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) September 23, 2023

Dabo Swinney and Garrett Riley to end regulation and on 3rd and 1 in OT: pic.twitter.com/820G5fArh0

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) September 23, 2023

Dabo Swinney with some coaching malpractice here in the second half.

Burning TOs, forfeiting downs and then purposely relying on a kicker who is fresh out of retirement.

Awful stuff.

— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) September 23, 2023