Clemson Tigers Roar Past Florida State Seminoles, 45-21, in Rivalry Clash
The rivalry game between #11 Clemson and Florida State had all the drama youd expect—and some you wouldnt. A strong Clemson second half, standout performances on both sides of the ball, and a bizarre moment just before halftime culminated in the Tigers walking out of Tallahassee with a commanding 45-21 victory.
A Bizarre Halftime Twist
The game took an unexpected turn with 30 seconds remaining in the first half. A strong gust of wind swept through the stadium, and Florida State head coach FLman tripped and fell near the sideline, breaking his hip. The incident resulted in a ten-minute delay before halftime, but it seemed to energize the Seminoles. Rallying behind backup quarterback-turned-acting coach DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State finished the half with a burst of momentum, scoring a late touchdown to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
Dominant Defense Leads Clemson Comeback
Whatever Clemson head coach ElJefe said to his team during the extended halftime break worked wonders. The Tigers defense emerged from the tunnel locked in, shutting down the Seminoles offense for the remainder of the game. Florida States second-half struggles were compounded by turnovers, as Clemsons secondary picked off four passes—two of which were returned for touchdowns. The defensive units ferocity completely flipped the script, silencing the home crowd and erasing any hope of a Florida State comeback.
Offensive Stars Shine Bright
On offense, quarterback Cade Klubnik delivered a near-flawless performance. The sophomore signal-caller completed 10 of 15 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns, avoiding mistakes and making big plays when it mattered most. Phil Mafah continued his stellar season, pounding the Seminoles’ defense with 125 rushing yards. Tight end Jake Briningstool had a breakout game, hauling in five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and make critical plays.
A Momentum Shift for the Ages
The turning point of the game seemed to come during the halftime chaos. With Florida State missing their head coachs presence on the sideline, Clemson seized the opportunity to reset and assert their dominance. The Tigers scored 31 unanswered points in the second half, combining suffocating defense with efficient offense to take full control of the game.
Rivalry Back in Clemsons Hands
Coach ElJefe and the Tigers celebrated on the field as the clock hit zero, reclaiming the rivalry in emphatic fashion. "We knew we had to come out and play our brand of football in the second half," ElJefe said postgame. "Our defense set the tone, and the offense followed through. Im proud of the way we responded."
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