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Florida State Overcomes Double-Digit Deficit, Shocks Clemson in Death Valley

The Seminoles stayed undefeated while ending a losing streak to the Tigers in the process.

Austin Veazey

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Entering today's contest, it was a battle of desperation. Florida State was desperate to finally overcome the Clemson mountaintop, a program they haven't beaten since 2014, while Clemson was desperate to stay in contention for the ACC after losing to Duke to start the season. A loss today would've meant the Tigers' hopes for making the ACC Championship and a great bowl game severely diminish. 

NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions: Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers

It certainly didn't look that way early. Clemson tried playing methodically on their first drive, but only got 6 plays in before punting. They acted liked they were going for it on 4th a little too late and ended up taking a delay of game. FSU was able to move the ball a little bit on their first drive, but a Keon Coleman drive on 3rd down near midfield forced the 'Noles to punt. 

Clemson's offense was the first to get on the board, following a 15 play, 79-yard drive, but FSU's defense stood tall and forced 3 points, but the next two series had people worried. Florida State goes 3 and out, which is followed by a bad punt to give Clemson the ball near midfield. If there's anything you can learn from Clemson's game against Florida Atlantic last week, you can't give them good field position. Early in the drive, they were able to hit Tyler Brown deep down the middle of the field for a big gain to set up first and goal at the 6. After a defensive holding (called by the official furthest from the play) resets the chains, Cade Klubnik sneaks it up the middle to make it 10-0. 

FSU's backs were against the wall at this point. The offense hadn't mustered much of anything, just 21 yards through a quarter and a half, and they needed to respond. Finally, they were able to muster a long drive that included a Jordan Travis keeper on 4th and short to extend the drive, and it ended with a beautiful play design in the red zone to get Keon Coleman wide open. I love these fake tight end screens to get an open man running across the middle. 

That would get it to 10-7, but Clemson's offense was in rhythm by now, and responded with a quick 7 play, 71 yard drive that ended in a Will Shipley option route for a touchdown. Clemson had tried the same play in the first trip to the red zone that got them a much closer opportunity, this time they capitalize. 

With a little over two minutes left on the clock, Florida State wanted to score to keep the game close and maybe turn the tides in their favor, given they were getting the ball first coming of the half. On the second play of the drive, Jordan Travis scrambled loose and finds Keon Coleman downfield for a big 38 yard gain. Next play brought in a defensive pass interference, and just like that FSU is already at the 11 yard line. Three plays later, and Jordan Travis scores a touchdown on a busted QB sneak, where he was stopped originally so the defense thought the play was dead, but he keeps momentum going, curls off to the right, and gets into the endzone. 

Getting this to 17-14 before the half was huge for the momentum. The defense had given up over 6 yards per play and the offense struggled early, but they were still in this game, and had a chance to take the lead coming out of halftime. Given how poorly FSU had played early on, that's a win for Florida State. 

Oh, and the game against LSU was 17-14 with the Tigers in the lead, fyi. 

Florida State came out with a great playaction to start the second half with a DEEP shot to Johnny Wilson for 41 yards. A few plays later would bring up 4th and short, but an illegal formation penalty would push FSU back and force a field goal attempt. Ryan Fitzgerald, who faced a lot of criticism coming into the year, kicked a squibbler but it went right down the middle from 48 yards, and it was all tied up, 17-17, with an opportunity for FSU's defense to make a statement. 

The defense stood up and forced a 3-and-out, it finally felt like FSU was grabbing the momentum. All of that for the offense to follow up with a 3-and-out of their own. Welp. 

Clemson got the ball back and marched right down the field. For an offense that isn't very explosive, they were making some explosive plays happen here. First it was a 17 yard run by Cade Klubnik as he escaped the pocket. Then it was a 12-yard slant to Troy Stellato for a first down on 3rd and 9. Two plays later, facemask call on FSU. It wasn't long before Will Shipley found the endzone for the second time of the afternoon, and Clemson took a 24-17 lead late in the third quarter, it was time for the offense to step up, again.

So, how does another three and out sounds? Because that's what happened. Florida State's offensive playcalling was frustrating at times. Too many counters and sweeps stopped behind the line, slot fades on 3rd and long that Travis wildly misthrew. They punt it right back to Clemson with all of the momentum. First play, Phil Mafah takes it 46 yards down to the FSU 29. The defense needed a play, and they needed a BIG one. 

Enter, stage left, Kalen DeLoach!

This delayed blitz was time so perfectly and Klubnik never stood a chance. DeLoach makes the hit, picks up the ball, and runs it all the way back a touchdown to make it 24-24 going into the 4th quarter. 

For the second time in as many trips to Clemson, Florida State gets a scoop and score; in 2021 it was Jermaine Johnson, in 2023 it's Kalen DeLoach. Now, FSU just had to have a better outcome than two years ago. 

The defense stood tall again to force a punt from Clemson, giving Jordan Travis the ball in the 4th quarter. There were a couple of nice plays, like the swing pass to Trey Benson with just enough loft on it to get over the edge rusher, and Benson takes it for 29 yards up the sideline. Once again, though, the drive will stall because of a failed counter on 2nd and 10, forcing a 3rd and long. Even if FSU has the outside playmakers, this isn't a team that can convert those plays consistently, and they end up punting the ball back after Travis took a big hit with pressure coming from both ends. He got pummeled a few times in this game, took some hits where it took him a second to get up off of the field. Travis is as tough as they come. 

Clemson would take over at the 3-yard line after a great punt, but they'd escape the shadow of their own end-zone with a great pump fake left to come back to a screen on the right to Mafah. But a penalty on the offense, followed by a miscommunication between Klubnik and one of his receivers forces a 3rd and long that FSU was able to corral. 

Jordan Travis now had the ball with a little over 8 minutes left in the game. And they'd give it right back because this entire offense has become either a short counter or a deep shot that falls incomplete. FSU was making room for Travis on playaction rollouts with space to run, he was refusing to tuck it and run, instead trying to force the big play. Maybe he's protecting his shoulder, maybe he really believes the opportunity deep down field is there. It's been like this all season though. 

The next possession for Clemson was extended thanks to a Renardo Green defensive pass interference on 3rd and 6. Beaux Collins curled into him, sure, but Green grabbed the arm. I thought it was a fair call, and it's a killer because it wasn't needed at all. FSU had brought pressure that got home, and Klubnik rushed a throw to the outside that would've missed by a few feet. Alas, it moved the chains, and the long winded drive would end with a short, 30-yard field goal for Clemson. 

And he missed. The kicker they brought out of retirement missed a 30-yarder. You can only laugh. 

Florida State had the ball at the 20 with 1:45 left to score. First play, Johnny Wilson up the sideline for 25 yards. A short Jordan Travis scramble and a missed throw to Wilson brought up 3rd and 9 at the 46. Travis would find Johnny Wilson in the middle of the field for a first down. 

On first down, pressure up the middle forces a throw out of bounds with 29 seconds left from the Clemson 39. A 50/50 jump ball to Keon Coleman on the right side falls incomplete. Travis scrambles left on third, hits Johnny in the hands, but falls to the ground with 18 seconds left. It wouldn't have been a first anyways. The offense would go for it on 4th on a deep shot to Coleman, but it would fall incomplete with 12 seconds left, and Clemson would take over with no timeouts at the 39 yard line. There definitely could've been a defensive hold at the top of the route, but it's tough to get those calls late in the game. 

Will Shipley would get a big run up the middle, but Dabo elected not to hurry the offense up and we go to overtime. 

FSU got the ball first, as Clemson won the toss. After a counter goes nowhere (theme of the day), I present to you: KEON COLEMAN. 

He's a freak. He's not human. He's a winner. 31-24, Clemson ball next. 

First Clemson play, pressure forces a low, incomplete throw to Shipley. Second play, Shipley takes it up the middle to force 3rd and 1. Next was a horrible play call, WR screen that resulted in a loss of two, a horrid decision in that situation. 4th down, Klubnik overthrows the slant, though there was great coverage, and the game is over. Florida State wins, 31-24, in overtime, for their first win in Death Valley since 2013 and their first win over Clemson since 2014. 

This was a WILD game. Unreal. Here are the final stats from the game. 

Screenshot 2023-09-23 at 3.40.16 PM

Clemson outgained FSU 429-311, FSU averaged just 1.1 yards per rush, and FSU had 7 penalties for 60 yards, often in big situations. They held Clemson to 6/14 on 3rd down, but were just 4/13 on 3rd themselves. FSU really didn't have any reason to win this. And they did. Great teams find ways to win. And Florida State finally beat Clemson. 

Jordan Travis throws for 289 yards and 2 touchdowns, becoming FSU's all-time leader in touchdowns, passing Chris Weinke. Keon Coleman finished with 5 catches for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Florida State finally gets a break after a tough September, with a bye week next week before three straight home games, starting with Virginia Tech on October 7. 

How to Watch Florida State and Clemson: Kickoff Time, TV Channel, and Odds

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Lead basketball writer; Former FSU Men's Basketball Manager from 2016-2019

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