FSU outlasts Clemson in overtime nail-biter, moves to 4-0 on the season

No. 4 Florida State took to Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that has long been pinpointed as one of the most significant in the ACC (and country this season) — a faceoff against the Clemson Tigers, who experienced a slip up in the squad’s season opener against the Duke Blue Devils.

Clemson, only a two-point underdog despite the loss and an unranked status, went three-and-out on its opening drive but then scored on its next three straight, going up 10-0 before the two teams traded quick touchdowns heading into halftime.

Florida State knocked a field goal through to tie things up, but then a Clemson touchdown followed by an FSU punt threatened to put the game out of reach. It was then, in the closing seconds of the third quarter, Kalen DeLoach strip-sacked quarterback Cabe Klubnik and then proceeded to recover the ball and take it to the end zone, making it a 24-24 ball game.

That score held throughout the bulk of the fourth, looking to shift for a final time in Clemson’s favor as the Tigers made their way into Florida State territory. Settling for a field goal, Clemson missed a 29-yard field goal to give FSU one final chance at a win in regular time.

Jordan Travis immediately hit Johnny Wilson deep for a 25 yard catch, two plays later the two connected for a 15-yard gain. After three incomplete passes, facing fourth and 10 from the Clemson 39, Travis tried to hit Keon Coleman but failed to complete the pass (with a little extracurricular activity from the Clemson secondary contributing to that.)

Clemson ran a quick rush with Will Shipley, gaining 13 yards but letting the clock tick down to overtime.

The Tigers won the toss and deferred, giving Florida State the ball first to kick off overtime. On the second play, Travis hit Coleman for a touchdown, giving the Seminoles their first lead of the day at 31-24.

Clemson went four-and-out on the next series, giving the Seminoles the win.

---

Game Notes, via FSU Sports Info

» With a 31-24 win at Clemson in overtime Saturday, No. 4 Florida State improved to 4-0 on the season, 2-0 in the ACC and 20-6 all-time when ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll, including 5-4 on the road. FSU is now 149-29 (.837) when ranked in the Top 5 and 100-6 (.943) when ranked in the Top 5 against unranked opponents, with 19 consecutive wins.

» The win snapped Clemson’s 25-game ACC home winning streak, which was the longest in the nation. The Noles are 21-15 all-time against Clemson.

» Florida State’s 10-game winning streak is the 4th-longest in the country. FSU has scored at least 30 points in all 10 games, the 2nd-longest active streak. Both streaks are FSU’s longest since the 2012-14 seasons.

» The win evened FSU’s all-time overtime record at 4-4. Mike Norvell improved to 1-1 at FSU in extra time.

» Quarterback Jordan Travis was 21-for-37 for 289 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and no turnovers. Travis’s 3rd touchdown - from 24 yards to Keon Coleman in overtime - was his 82nd total TD at FSU, a new school record.

» Travis moved to 3rd in FSU history with 8,744 yards of total offense; 6th with 6,916 passing yards; 8th with 500 career completions; tied for 8th with 26 career rushing touchdowns; and tied for 7th with 21 wins as the starting quarterback.

» Travis has thrown at least one touchdown in 16 consecutive games, the longest streak by an FSU quarterback since 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston’s 27- game streak in 2013-14. He has multiple TD passes in five straight games, a career high.

» Coleman caught five passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns - his 5th and 6th of the season. Coleman has played just four games at FSU in his career and is the Noles active receiving TD leader.

» Linebacker Kalen DeLoach had a 15-yard sack on Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, forcing a fumble, recovering the fumble and returning it 56 yards for a game-tying TD in the third quarter. It was DeLoach’s first career touchdown; FSU’s second defensive TD of the year (Jarrian Jones pick-6 vs. Southern Miss); and FSU’s first scoop-and-score since Jermaine Johnson II at Clemson in 2021.

» Sophomores Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer had FSU’s two other sacks, and Payton led FSU with 1.5 TFL. The Noles added a season-high seven pass breakups. » Johnny Wilson had a game-high 94 receiving yards. He caught a 41-yarder and a 25-yard pass and leads FSU with six 20-yard receptions this year.

» Florida State’s first touchdown came on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 6:23. It was FSU’s longest TD drive in terms of plays and time on the season. » FSU’s 173 points scored through four games are the 7th-most in school history, and 4th-most vs. all-FBS opponents.

» Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald made a 48-yard field goal to tie the game in the third quarter. It was his longest of the season and second-longest of his career, behind a 53-yarder in 2021. He scored seven points and remains perfect on the season kicking. Clemson’s missed 29-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining in the game was the first missed by an FSU opponent this year.

» Punter Alex Mastromanno boomed six punts for a 49.3 average, including a massive 59-yard punt; a 57-yard punt; a 52-yard punt; and a 51-yard punt that was downed at the 3-yard line.

» Florida State did not turn the ball over for the second time this season. Clemson entered Saturday with a takeaway in 16 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the country. The Tigers’ last home game without a takeaway was vs. Boston College in 2020. » Clemson is now 61-3 at home since the beginning of the 2014 season. Saturday’s 31-24 loss was Clemson’s first home loss by more than one point since FSU’s 51-14 win on October 19, 2013.

Florida State 31, Clemson 24: Final stats

Total Yards:

Florida State: 311

Clemson: 429

Pass Yards:

Florida State: 289

Clemson: 283

Rush Yards:

Florida State: 22

Clemson: 146

Penalties:

Florida State: 7-60

Clemson: 6-50

1st Downs:

Florida State: 16

Clemson: 25

3rd Downs:

Florida State: 4-13

Clemson: 6-14

4th Downs:

Florida State: 1-2

Clemson: 1-2

Total Plays:

Florida State: 57

Clemson: 79

Avg Yds/Play:

Florida State: 5.5

Clemson: 5.4

Avg Yds/Completion:

Florida State: 13.8

Clemson: 11.3

Avg Yds/Rush:

Florida State: 1.1

Clemson: 3.6

Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg):

Florida State: 31 (1.7)

Clemson: 164 (4.3)

Red Zone:

Florida State: 2-2

Clemson: 4-6

Time of Possession:

Florida State: 25:24

Clemson: 34:36

Turnovers (Def Pts Off):

Florida State: 0 (0)

Clemson: 1 (6)

Fumbles-Lost:

Florida State: 0-0

Clemson: 2-1

Sacks (Def Yds):

Florida State: 3 (22)

Clemson: 2 (9)

TFL (Def Yds):

Florida State: 6 (28)

Clemson: 5 (1)