Final Score: Florida State 23, Clemson 17
Playing without suspended-quarterback Jameis Winston, No. 1 Florida State defeated No. 22 Clemson 23-17 in overtime.
Here’s how it happened.
Winston Shows Up in Pads
Jameis Winston showed up to the game wearing pads. An annoyed Florida State coach made his Heisman Trophy winner go back to the locker room to change.
Seminoles Hit Long FG; Tigers miss chip-shot
Florida State struck first when the Seminoles hit a 53-yard field goal in the first quarter. Earlier in the first quarter, Clemson put together a 53-yard drive to get inside the Florida State 10-yard line, but the Tigers missed a 23-yard field goal attempt, causing Jameis Winston to erupt on the sideline.
Maguire Off to Strong Start
Florida State sophomore Sean Maguire, who is replacing Winston in tonight’s game, has looked good early, as he has thrown for 83 yards through the first quarter Here’s one of his nice passes.
Clemson Ties Game
After missing a 23-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game, Clemson’s Ammon Lakip hit 30-yard field goal to cap off a 10-play, 75-yard drive and tie the game at 3 each. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been huge for the Tigers, throwing for over 100 yards thus far.
Howard Puts Tigers Ahead Shortly Before Halftime
Clemson running back D.J. Howard ran in from one-yard out to put Clemson up 10-3 with six minutes left in the first half. The run capped off a 6-play, 47-yard drive. The score remained the same until halftime.
Meanwhile, Florida State only has 84 total yards, including -22 rushing.
Florida State Scores TD On Opening Drive of Second Half
Florida State running back Mario Pender ran in from 1-yard-out to tie the game at 10 each. After failing to generate any offense in the second quarter, the Seminoles came out firing in the second quarter, and moved 68 yards in nine plays for the touchdown.
Clemson Botches Snap, Misses FG
Clemson was inches away from scoring a touchdown, but the Tigers had a high-snap, forcing them outside the 20-yard line. On third-and-long, Clemson was unable to score, and the Tigers were forced to settle for a 40-yard field goal attempt, and hooked it right.
Watson Rushes For Clemson TD
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson ran in from 1-yard out to put Clemson ahead 17-10 with 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The touchdown was set up by a great catch by Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams.
Florida State Hits 74-yard touchdown pass
Florida State’s Rashad Greene ran past a falling-down Clemson defender to be wide open down the field and caught a 74-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17 with six minutes remaining.
Both Teams Make Mistakes, Head to OT
Clemson intercepted Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire with two minutes remaining, and it appeared Clemson was on its way to pulling the upset.
But, with the Tigers already in field goal range, Clemson fumbled the ball after a completed reception, and the Seminoles recovered shortly before the fourth quarter ended to send the game to overtime.
Florida State Wins in OT
It only took two plays for Florida State to score in overtime after stopping Clemson.
Seminole running back Karlos Williams beat Clemson to the outside for a 12-yard scamper into the end zone to secure the win for Florida State.
Clemson started with the ball in overtime, but failed to convert a 4th-and-1 attempt. On 3rd-and-20, Clemson hit a 19-yard screen pass to set up the 4th-and-1, but were stuffed on a run attempt.