In a thrilling rivalry game that lived up to the hype, Clemson edged out Florida State 38-31 in a back-and-forth battle that came down to fourth quarter execution. Both teams showcased explosive offenses and key defensive plays, but it was ElJefe’s Tigers who made the game-changing plays when it mattered most.
Offensive Highlights
Cade Klubnik put on a near-perfect performance under center for Clemson, completing 10 of 16 passes for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns, displaying poise and deep ball accuracy. His connection with Antonio Williams was electric — Williams racked up 166 yards and 3 touchdowns on 5 catches, including a game-breaking 65-yard strike.
Phil Mafah powered Clemson’s ground game with a workhorse performance: 35 carries for 211 yards and 1 touchdown. His balance of patience and burst was key in wearing down the Seminoles' defense late.
Florida State wasn't far behind offensively. They totaled 399 yards, with 263 coming through the air, and hung tight with the Tigers until the very end. But Clemson’s ability to control tempo and clock (holding the ball for 14:12 to FSU’s 13:48) helped seal the deal.
Defensive Standouts
Clemson’s defense bent but didn’t break. Jamal Anderson and Wade Woodaz led the team with 7 tackles each, while Peter Woods tallied 2.0 sacks and applied constant pressure in the second half. RJ mickens was able to tag on a meaningless INT to his statline on a hail Mary right before half.
Team Stats Breakdown
Stat Clemson Florida State
Total Yards 528 619
Rushing Yards 209 136
Passing Yards 232 263
Turnovers 2 3
Third Down Conversions 2/5 (40%) 2/7 (29%)
Red Zone TDs 2 1
Despite being outgained in total yards, Clemson made the most of their opportunities with zero sacks allowed and a +1 turnover margin.
Coaching Battle: ElJefe vs Sammy
This classic ACC clash also featured a compelling chess match between two elite coaches. ElJefe’s balanced play-calling and red zone execution gave Clemson the edge, while Sammy’s Seminoles kept it close with aggressive vertical passing and solid special teams play.
But in the end, a third-quarter scoring surge by Clemson (21 points) proved too much to overcome.
Player of the Game:
Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson) – 5 receptions, 166 yards, 3 TDs. Unstoppable deep threat who flipped the game in Clemson’s favor.
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