Clemson Football Tops Florida State in Death Valley Night Showdown
Clemson vs Florida State | Dez Barnes
A night game in Death Valley just hits different. The sun melts behind the horizon, fans have had all day to prepare and get right for battle, and of course, everyone loves being under the lights. This primetime clash between Clemson and Florida State actually brought more high-octane energy and a more packed house than the homecoming game just weeks prior – proving that any time the Burgundy and Gold roll into the Valley, the crowd shows up ready to show out.
Surprisingly, there were more Noles in attendance than the last time they invaded Death Valley, and both fan bases brought their trademark loyalty in full force. Florida State, limping into town at 4-4, seemed to finally wake up against Wake Forest the week prior, but their struggles continued to haunt them as the season marched on. Those struggles materialized immediately on their first possession as they sputtered and failed to move the ball down the field.
Clemson’s Tiger Band during pre- game. Photo: Dez Barnes
First Quarter: Tigers Strike Early with Klubnik and Swinney Magic
With the Seminoles winning the coin toss and deferring, the Tigers seized the opportunity to set the tone. Clemson methodically marched down the field, chewing clock and imposing their will before QB Cade Klubnik punched it in for the game's first rushing touchdown. Klubnik, who had previously stated his determination to finish strong and give his best in the final four games, backed up his words with action.
Then came the twist of the night: Clay Swinney, initially on the field to hold for the extra point, shocked everyone by running it in for a successful 2-point conversion. The scoreboard erupted, and the shot of Head Coach Dabo Swinney'spure jubilation sealed that moment as the highlight of the game – a father-son connection that will be replayed for years to come.
FSU got their chance to respond but went three-and-out. Clemson followed suit with their own stalled drive. After a short punt gave the Noles excellent field position, they looked ready to capitalize – until a botched handoff from QB DJ Uiagalelei resulted in a costly fumble, turning the ball over on downs. But a sack on Klubnik quickly gave possession right back to FSU.
Both teams traded punts in what became a defensive slugfest, but Clemson felt confident heading into the second quarter with an 8-0 cushion.
Second Quarter: Tigers Extend Lead as Seminoles Sputter
FSU desperately needed to manufacture some offensive firepower if they wanted back into this game. Unfortunately, the offense gave the defense no rest, and without complementary football working in harmony, the Seminoles found themselves in a deep hole.
The Tigers struck again with 12 minutes remaining in the half, dialing up a perfectly executed trick play that found Antonio Williams in the end zone, pushing Clemson's lead to 14. The extra point sailed through, making it 15-0 with 12 minutes left before halftime.
FSU's next possession went nowhere, and Clemson capitalized with a field goal to extend the lead to 18-0 with just 2:31 remaining in the half. The game had become frustratingly mundane. While fans remained engaged, there was a palpable restlessness creeping through the stadium due to the lack of explosive plays on both sides. The second half desperately needed to deliver some fireworks.
Third Quarter: Defense Dominates, Offenses Struggle
The second half kicked off with the Seminoles possessing the ball. They marched down the field with renewed purpose but missed a makeable field goal, and Clemson took over on downs. The Tigers responded by driving down the field themselves, but they too settled for three points, pushing the score to 21-0.
The Seminoles' performance in this game was nothing short of perplexing. They failed to convert first downs, missed field goals, dropped wide-open passes, and overall looked completely out of sync – as if they'd never played collegiate football before. What happened to the team that showed fight against Wake Forest? There was a jarring difference from last week to this week, and it showed in every phase of the game.
On the flip side, the Tigers didn't exactly light the world on fire either – they just made fewer mistakes. Clemson's offensive line needs serious work, as QB Cade Klubnik was consistently forced to improvise, run for his life, and manufacture plays out of thin air. The few successful passes they connected on were the only reason they had points on the board.
Offensively, Clemson has only three playmakers who can consistently make a difference: Adam Randall, TJ Moore, and Antonio Williams. Unfortunately, the play-calling doesn't always put them in positions to showcase their strengths.
Defensively, the Tigers were bailed out significantly by the incompetence of FSU QB Castellanos and Seminole receivers who seemingly forgot how to catch the football. The Clemson defense has a few standout players but lacks a true superstar, and in any bigger game against elite competition, that could spell trouble. Looking at this game objectively, the Tigers aren't as dominant as the scoreboard suggested. If the Seminoles had shown up with the same energy they brought against Wake Forest, this game could have easily looked very different.
At the end of the third quarter, the Tigers added another field goal to take the score to 24-7.
Fourth Quarter: Seminoles Show Signs of Life, But It's Too Late
In the fourth quarter, the Noles started their possession with their longest rush of the entire game, moving them down the field with a glimmer of hope. They looked to at least get on the board again, but given the way the previous three quarters had unfolded, it seemed highly unlikely they'd find the end zone. They gave it everything they had but had to settle for a field goal – successfully converting this time – to make it 24-10 with 7:37 remaining in the game.
Without a miracle, there was simply no way the Florida State Seminoles would mount a comeback based on their anemic performance all night.
Final Thoughts: Tigers Move to 4-5, Eyes on Finishing Strong
The Tigers secured their second home victory of the season and improved to 4-5 overall, with three games remaining on the schedule. One more fairly easy home game against Furman University, a fellow South Carolina school in the SoCon conference, awaits to close out their home slate.
The Tigers are looking to finish the season 8-5. While there are no hopes of playoffs or the ACC Championship this year, they can still salvage a winning record and build momentum heading into next season. For a program with Clemson's pedigree, that's the bare minimum expectation – but it's a foundation they can build on.
Final Score: Clemson 24, Florida State 10
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