Florida State At Clemson: Five Plays That Changed the Game

Which crucial plays made the difference in the Seminoles' victory over the Tigers?

The sun was high in the sky over Memorial Stadium as the Florida State Seminoles and Clemson Tigers took the field in Death Valley. Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers entered the face-off boasting a seven-game winning streak over the ‘Noles. During that time, the program reached the pinnacle of the college football world and reigned supreme over the Atlantic Coast Conference whilst Florida State’s program experienced rock bottom. Time and again, it was Clemson serving as the reminder of just how far the Seminoles had fallen. This year’s matchup, however, was shaping up to be drastically different.

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Mike Norvell has the Florida State Seminoles on the climb, and that climb started to reach new heights throughout the first few weeks of the 2023 college football season. After defeating #5 LSU and securing victories in the weeks that followed, it was the ‘Noles who carried a top-5 ranking and national title hopes into Death Valley. Meanwhile, the Tigers were looking to recover from their Week 1 loss at the hands of Duke by pulling off an upset of their own and positioning themselves to defend their ACC title. Countless storylines were littered across both sidelines, but they all boiled down to this: FSU had its sights set on solidifying its place in the national spotlight and reclaiming the ACC throne, and Clemson was not going to go quietly.

Like two gunslingers locked in the heat of an old-west fast draw at high noon, these two bitter foes stood toe to toe with the highest of stakes on the line. Clemson took the first shots, maintaining a lead for most of the day behind the stellar passing play of quarterback Cade Klubnik, but Florida State continually found ways to respond and keep things knotted up. Back and forth, these heavyweights traded blows in this high-drama affair. When all was said and done, Florida State emerged from the dust cloud and accomplished something they had not done in seven long years: they defeated the Clemson Tigers.

With the win in Death Valley, Florida State moves to 4-0 on the season and continues to control their own destiny within the ACC. The battle-tested ‘Noles survive a hard-fought September undefeated and return home as the fifth-ranked team in the country. In the days ahead, Mike Norvell and company will have an opportunity to catch their breath and regroup during the bye week before returning to their playoff push in the latter third of the season. Before I, too, take a break from watching high-anxiety football games and spend the bye week ending the reign of the previous Tiger King, let’s review some pivotal moments from Saturday’s contest against Clemson. 

1. Quarterback Jordan Travis muscles his way into the endzone to cut the Clemson lead before the half

Florida State’s offense was struggling to create sustained drives to open up the game. Their first two drives ended in a combined total of 21 yards gained and resulted in two punts. Meanwhile, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was finding success through the air, going 8 of 13 for 129 yards through the air on his first two drives en route to a quick 10-0 lead. The inability to establish a rushing game against a strong Clemson interior offensive line left the ‘Noles overly reliant on the passing game, and quarterback Jordan Travis was able to find his rhythm on their third drive. Travis led the offense on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a Keon Coleman touchdown. Swinney’s Tiger offense immediately responded with a quick touchdown drive of their own, and Clemson was threatening to run away with the game before things even hit the half.

Trailing 17-7, Florida State’s offense took over at their own 25 yard line with just over 2 minutes remaining in the first half. Jaheim Bell reeled in an 11 yard gain to start off the drive for the Seminoles. On 1st & 10, Travis dropped back to pass but was quickly flushed out of the pocket. Keeping his eyes downfield, he rolled right and motioned to his receiver before delivering a strike toward the sideline that fell into the hands of a wide-open Keon Coleman. Coleman turned upfield and followed his blocker, wide receiver Johnny Wilson, down to the Clemson 28 yard line. Two plays and one pass interference call later, the ‘Noles were knocking on the door with 30 seconds left on the clock.

On 1st & Goal from the Clemson 2 yard line, Florida State’s offense had three wide receivers in the formation. Quarterback Jordan Travis lined up directly under center and snapped the ball. He tried to push through the line and into the end zone but was immediately stood up by the Clemson defense. In a true “play until the whistle” moment, Travis stayed upright, kept his feet moving, and eventually muscled his way into the end zone for a touchdown.

Travis led a spirited 5-play, 75-yard drive wherein he went 3 for 3 through the air for 57 yards and capped it off with a rushing TD of his own. Florida State, now down 14-17, was able to get back within striking distance before the half and would have an opportunity to do even more damage after receiving the second-half kickoff. 

2. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nails a 48-yard FG to open the second half

Over the course of the first half, Clemson had shown the nation why they still deserved everyone’s respect. The talented defense had effectively shut down Florida State’s run game, and despite key injuries across the board, the Tiger offense was finding success both through the air and on the ground. However, the Seminoles were also making a statement. They were storming back from a 17-7 deficit and showing the nation they belonged in the upper echelon of the college football rankings.

Scoring before the break had afforded the ‘Noles an opportunity to erase the deficit at the onset of the second half, and they were dead set on capitalizing. Jordan Travis connected with Johnny Wilson for a 41 yard gain on the first play from scrimmage, and the Seminoles were threatening deep in Tiger territory after just one play. Minimal gains on the next three plays forced the ‘Noles into a 4th & 1 scenario from the Clemson 30 yard line. Travis found his favorite target, Keon Coleman, for a 10 yard gain on the conversion attempt, but an illegal formation penalty on the offense completely wiped the play off the board. Instead, Florida State would have to attempt a long field goal to come out of the drive with points.

Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald lined up to attempt a 48 yard field goal attempt from the right hash. After a clean snap and clean hold, the kicker made clean contact with the ball and gave it plenty of distance for a make. As it sailed through the air, the ball violently curved to the right before making another sharp turn back to the left and flying just inside the upright. Fitzgerald nailed his only field goal attempt of the day, and it came at the most opportune of times for the Seminoles. With the made field goal, FSU had completed the 10-point comeback and leveled the game at 17-17 early in the third quarter. 

3. Linebacker Kalen DeLoach strip sacks Klubnik for a scoop 'n score

It’s being deemed the “play of the season” for the Seminoles.

The offense was sputtering once again for the Seminoles, and the Tigers were capitalizing in the process. FSU’s defense struggled to impede Clemson’s offensive attack on the way to running back Will Shipley’s first rushing TD of the 2023 season. Holding a 24-17 lead, the Clemson defense forced the Florida State offense into a quick three-and-out. On the first offensive play following the put, Clemson running back Phil Mafah punished the Seminole defense for poor tackling and broke off a 46-yard gain to the FSU 29 yard line. Clemson was threatening to extend their lead even further, and for the Florida State faithful, it was starting to look like an eighth straight loss to their ACC foe.

Klubnik dropped back to pass on 2nd & 10 from the FSU 29. While Klubnik scanned the field in search of a wide receiver target, FSU linebacker Kalen DeLoach took off in a full sprint toward the quarterback. DeLoach’s perfectly timed blitz allowed him to surge into the backfield untouched and lay the boom on an unsuspecting Klubnik. The ferocious hit lodged the ball free for a fumble around the FSU 42 yard line. Defensive tackle Braden Fiske attempted to pick the ball up, but it bounced off of his hands and fell into the hands of none other than Kalen DeLoach. DeLoach, flanked by a convoy of Patrick Payton, Braden Fiske, Tatum Bethune, Jared Verse and Dennis Biggs, Jr., scooped the ball up and ran it back all 56 yards for a touchdown.

Instead of falling behind in a two-score game, Florida State once again found themselves in a dead tie with the Tigers behind a pivotal score by their defense. Locked up at 24 a piece, the Seminoles and Tigers were going down to the wire in Death Valley.

4. The FSU defense forces Clemson to settle for a FG and it sails wide left 

Each team traded their fair share of empty drives as the fourth quarter began. By the 7-minute mark, both teams had combined to produce four consecutive drives that resulted in punts. For Florida State, the final punt meant kicking away from their own 7 yard line and giving Clemson a window of opportunity to win the game. Klubnik and company began their drive at the Clemson 44 yard line. The quarterback found receiver Beaux Collins for a gain of 7 yards on first down, but Klubnik recovered his own fumble for a 3 yard loss on the following play to bring up a crucial 3rd & 6. On third down, Klubnik attempted a pass to Collins that fell incomplete but FSU DB Renaldo Green, who was in tight coverage at the time, was called for a controversial pass interference penalty. Just like that, new life was breathed into the Tigers' drive.

Clemson charged into Florida State territory, and it was not long until their focus shifted from high tempo to time-draining. Ever so patiently, the Clemson offense waded deeper into Florida State territory until they reached the red zone. With just over 2 minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers have a fresh set of downs at the FSU 12 yard line. Not wanting to yield a touchdown, the Florida State defense kicked into overdrive. Defensive back Kevin Knowles dragged Will Shipley down for a loss on first down which defensive lineman Patrick Payton followed up with a pass breakup on second. Klubnik dropped back to pass on 3rd & 11, but he elected to take off running as the pocket collapsed. With nothing but green grass ahead of Klubnik, Payton dove for the quarterback’s feet and brought him down by his shoestrings to save a large gain and force fourth down.

With 1:49 on the clock and a Florida State offense that was struggling to move the ball, a field goal by Clemson would surely spell doom for the Seminoles. That is exactly what Dabo Swinney elected to do on 4th & 10 from the FSU 12 yard line. Kicker Jonathan Weitz, who graduated from Clemson in May and re-joined the team earlier in the week, lined up to attempt the 29-yard field goal. Weitz had the ball right in the middle of the field. By every standard, this was a routine, chip-in shot for the kicker. He lined it up, called for the snap, kicked through the ball, and watched as it sailed wide left. The commentators on the call said it best:

“What would’ve been a Hollywood ending,” said Greg McElroy.

“Well, the writers are on strike,” added Sean McDonough.

5. Jordan Travis lobs one in the endzone to Keon Coleman for the game-winning touchdown

The Seminoles survived regulation without once taking the lead, but they’d get their opportunity in overtime. Florida State lost the coin toss and, per Clemson’s decision, the Seminole offense was forced to take the field first. Taking over from the 25 yard line, Jordan Travis and the rest of the offense went to work. Tight end Jaheim Bell rushed the ball for a one yard gain to begin what was sure to be a long, back-and-forth overtime.

Jordan Travis had other ideas.

Travis lined up in the shotgun with two tight ends in the formation, Trey Benson in the slot, Johnny Wilson out wide to his left and Keon Coleman to his right. Benson motioned from the slot to the backfield alongside Travis before the quarterback finally called for the snap. All five eligible receivers immediately ran out into the pattern, but Travis quickly singled out just one. He planted his foot in the ground, turned right, stepped up and uncorked a throw towards wide receiver Keon Coleman.

The rest is history.

Coleman reeled in the ball at the 1 yard line before his momentum carried him right into the end zone for what would become the game-winning touchdown. Florida State took its only lead of the game at 31-24. After a 4th down stop on Clemson’s overtime possession, ‘Noles all throughout Death Valley stormed the field in exaltation.

The Seminoles accomplished what only three other teams have done since 2013 and defeated the Clemson Tigers on their own turf. In the process, they snapped a seven game-losing streak to Swinney's program and kept their postseason hopes alive. Mike Norvell slayed his "white whale", Jordan Travis solidified himself as the new Tiger King, and the 'Noles continued their warpath back to national prominence. 

Fifth-ranked FSU moves to 4-0 on the season and will look to get refreshed and reload during the upcoming bye week. 

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