CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Dabo Swinney loved seeing the Clemson Tigers he’d gotten used so.
‘”I loved their effort, I loved their toughness, I loved their stick-to-it-ness,” coach Swinney said after his team’s first home victory in two months with a 24-10 victory Florida State on Saturday night.
“It don’t get old to beat the ‘Noles,” Swinney said.
Cade Klubnik threw for a touchdown and ran for a second to lead the Tigers (4-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a win in Death Valley for the first time since defeating Troy on Sept. 6.
The Tigers and Seminoles (4-5, 1-5) looked like they would have big implications on the ACC race. But both contenders were out of the picture early and left scrambling to salvage lost seasons.
Clemson was 1-4 at home this season and had lost its past six games against Power 4 programs on its field. This time, though, the Tigers took an 18-0 lead and took advantage of nearly all of Florida State’s miscues. They held the league’s top offense to its lowest totals with 360 yards, 110 yards rushing and 10 points.
“Our record isn’t what we want to be,” Swinney said. “But when you see the resilience, you know what these guys have under the hood.”
Klubnik had a 3-yard TD run to finish the 75-yard opening scoring drive and holder Clay Swinney — the youngest son of coach Swinney — bolted for a two-point conversion. The Tigers cashed in on a fourth-down stop in the second quarter inside Florida State territory with a 34-yard flea flicker scoring pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams.
Loading Comments