Watson Drives Tigers to Victory in Final Minutes
In a week that saw four unbeaten teams fall, the third ranked Clemson Tigers (8-0, 5-0) escaped Tallahassee with a 37-34 win over 12th ranked Florida State (5-3, 2-3). Deshaun Watson and Dalvin Cook were both as good as advertised for their perspective teams. Watson threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns for Clemson. His performance was, by no means, perfect however. Florida State’s corners were able to bait him into two interceptions. Cook, on the other hand, amassed 169 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries for the Seminoles.
FSU – Clemson Recap
Saturday night’s match up began like so many others for the Seminoles, with a double digit deficit. Watson led the Tigers on a nine play, 68 yard drive that ended with a one yard touchdown run by Wayne Gallman. Florida State’s opening drive also moved into its opponent’s territory. However, a personal foul penalty and a third down sack that forced the Seminoles to punt.
Clemson’s second drive featured Watson connecting with Hunter Renfrow three times in 10 plays. The last pass was a four yard strike for a touchdown, padding the Tigers’ lead to 14. The next three drives ended with both teams punting.
Florida State finally seized some momentum when Marquez White picked off Watson in Seminole territory. The Seminoles then marched 60 yards in six plays and got on the score board with a four yard touchdown run by Dalvin Cook.
After a Clemson punt on its next drive, Florida State gave the ball right back to the Tigers three plays later when Deondre Francois was intercepted by Jadar Johnson. Clemson turned that turnover into a Greg Huegel field goal to make the score 17-7.
Just before halftime Francois led Florida State on a touchdown drive concluding with a 5 yard strike to Nyqwan Murray, who made a toe tapping catch in the endzone.
After the Seminoles punted on their opening drive of the second half, Clemson pushed its lead to six with another Huegel field goal. Following another Seminole punt, Deshaun Watson was once again baited for an interception. The next play, Dalvin Cook gave the Seminoles their first lead on a 43 yard touchdown run.
Three drives later, Cook raced 70 yards down the sideline for a score bringing the Seminoles lead to eight. Clemson then responded with a 10 play, 75 yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to two. After a Florida State punt, Clemson regained the lead with a 46 yard field goal.
Down by three with just over five minutes to play, Francois moved the Seminoles 72 yards in nine plays. Cook finished the drive off with his fourth rushing score of the game. The Seminoles’ two point try failed and Clemson was left trailing by five with 3:23 on the clock.
Watson used this time to find tight end Jordan Leggett for gains of 25 and 34 yards to drive deep into Florida State territory. Watson then connected with Leggett a third time for the go ahead score with a little over two minutes left to play.
Florida State was able to move into Clemson territory for a chance for potential game tying field goal. However, two consecutive false starts moved the ball back from Clemson’s 34 to Clemson’s 44 yard line. Clemson then sacked Francois on back to back plays to end the game.
