Decisive victory: Clemson tops FSU, snaps home losing streak

Clemson’s home losing streak came to an end in Death Valley on Saturday night. For a moment, a disappointing season was met with a decisive victory over an ACC rival.

The Tigers (4-5, 3-4 ACC) needed no late-game drama to knock off Florida State 24-10 and beat a Power 4 team at Memorial Stadium for the first time since Oct. 19, 2024. The six-game skid against the upper level of competition in FBS was broken behind an electric crowd that showed up despite this season’s struggles.

“I know it hasn’t been a great season, but it never gets old to beat the Noles, and it’s never easy to beat the Noles,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “This is a huge game. I don’t care what the records are.”

FSU out-gained Clemson 360-319 on Saturday, but the Tigers caught breaks, especially on defense, that didn’t happen in the previous two games. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was 19 of 26 passing with one touchdown through the air and another on the ground, and safety Ricardo Jones picked off a pass late in the game to cap an improved defensive performance.

In an ACC rivalry game that might’ve looked to be a top-25 matchup in August turned into a battle on the road to bowl eligibility instead. Clemson desperately needed its first home victory since Week 2. The Tigers need two more wins over the next three games to clinch a postseason game.

“We’ve won nine of the last 10 (against FSU)?” Swinney asked during his postgame press conference. “I’ll take it. I’m looking for anything I can get right now.”

Florida State (4-5, 1-5) is facing the same fate after it was unable to capitalize on several big-play opportunities Saturday that could’ve spelled a different outcome. Instead, the Tigers seized some momentum with their first win in almost a month.

“We’re just going to enjoy this one tonight and we’re right back at it tomorrow. A lot of extra work to be ready,” Swinney said. “Quick turnaround because we play a really good Louisville team.”

Game recap

Clemson got off to a fast start and built an 18-0 lead in the second quarter. Klubnik capped an impressive 75-yard drive with a 3-yard score, and Clemson converted a two-point conversion on a run by holder Clay Swinney to go up 8-0 just 6:35 into the game.

After a shanked punt gave FSU the ball at the Clemson 35 and quarterback Tommy Castellanos got the Seminoles down to the 10, the Tigers forced and recovered a fumble.

Clemson capitalized on a huge dropped pass on fourth-and-2 with a flea-flicker play that resulted in a 34-yard TD pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams to go 2 for 2 in the red zone before a 40-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser.

FSU finally got on the board with 33 seconds left on a 7-yard TD pass from Castellanos to Lawayne McCoy in a wild goal-line sequence that included a potential Clemson interception that was ruled incomplete and wasn’t reviewed. McCoy’s catch two plays later was reviewed and confirmed as a score.

FSU had a chance to get closer to start the second half but missed a 40-yard field goal on the first possession of the quarter, while Clemson was able to connect on Hauser’s 23-yarder to go up 21-7 with 6:01 left to play in the third quarter.

The Tigers tacked on another one to go up 24-7 to start the fourth quarter.

Facing a fourth-and-8 at the Clemson 37 with 11:00 to play, FSU kept a drive alive after a pass interference call went against the Tigers. It ended with a 46-yard field goal on a fourth-and-34 after a personal foul call on McCoy thwarted FSU’s promising drive.

“Too many missed opportunities,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “(Clemson) made the plays, and we didn’t. Credit to them.”

Defensive improvement

Saturday appeared to be the recipe for a high-scoring FSU performance.

A maligned Clemson defense had allowed over 850 yards in the previous two games combined, and the Seminoles entered Saturday with the No. 1 offense in the country, averaging 510.5 yards per game.

However, FSU only had 66 yards until a 75-yard touchdown drive late in the first half. The Seminoles were able to accumulate nearly 200 yards in the second half but had little to show for it on the scoreboard.

Still, there were some Clemson defensive breakdowns. A busted coverage on a fourth-and-2 play in the first half left Randy Pittman Jr. wide open on a wheel route, but he dropped a perfect pass from Castellanos.

FSU had multiple other dropped passes that held the scoring attack back, but Clemson also stepped up at opportune times. The Tigers forced four punts, two turnovers and two turnovers on downs.

Against Duke last week, Clemson gave up three plays of 50 yards or more. On Saturday, FSU’s longest play went for 35 yards.

“Everyone just did their job,” Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz said.

Next Clemson game

• Who: Clemson at Louisville
• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
• Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
• Watch: ESPN

This story was originally published November 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM.