Notes, stats from FSU’s loss to No. 4 Clemson
FSU QB Travis Jordan is stopped just short of the goal line. PHOTO BY KEN FIELDS
By BOB FERRANTEE Editor/The Osceola
Florida State played about as well as could be expected against a top-5 team in an packed, high-energy Doak Campbell Stadium. And then for a third straight week, a Seminoles turnover resulted in a draining score for the opponent.
Jordan Travis’ second-quarter fumble, off a blind-side hit by Myles Murphy, gave No. 4 Clemson a short field and an opportunity to extend the lead and held off a late fourth-quarter rally 34-28 on Saturday night.
The Tigers won for the seventh straight time in the series, although FSU ran for 206 yards and made a late push after trailing by 20 points in the second half.
“Really proud of our guys for how they fought,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “Basically you take the two minutes on both sides of halftime, those were kind of devastating and some of the results of what occurred. Had a turnover. Obviously led to a quick touchdown.
“The kick return coming out of half, quick touchdown. And then obviously being aggressive, trying to provide a spark. We didn’t get the fake punt and led to another short field with that. Just the things that we were executing well, just had a couple of mishaps and big swing in the game.”
FSU (4-3, 2-3 ACC) and Clemson traded touchdowns in what was an entertaining first 20 or so minutes. The Seminoles scored on a 75-yard drive on their first possession, resulting in a Jordan Travis 20-yard weaving run past a few Clemson defenders. And then FSU scored on its third drive, a 15-play, 93-yard drive that resulted in a DJ Lundy 1-yard run.
But Clemson had an answer each time and it was a lookout block by left tackle Robert Scott that allowed Murphy to jar the ball loose from Travis. Clemson needed just three plays to score, with DJ Uiagalelei races to the pylon and giving Clemson a 24-14 lead with just 19 seconds before halftime.
After an opening punt, the Tigers scored on six straight scoring drives to push the lead to 34-14. Clemson (7-0, 5-0) scored on six straight drives and surpassed the 30-point mark for a seventh straight game to open 2022. Will Shipley had 20 carries for 121 yards and six catches for 48 yards, and he added a 69-yard kickoff return that set up another Clemson touchdown.
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