Game recap: No. 3 FSU football defeats No. 23 Clemson in overtime for major ACC win

CLEMSON, S.C - Florida State football had a scare last week on the road against Boston College. The Seminoles were able to hang on for a 31-29 victory over the Eagles.

This set up a pivotal ACC matchup for No. 3 FSU (3-0, 1-0 ACC) against No. 23 Clemson (2-1, 0-1) at noon Saturday in Death Valley.

The Seminoles, which began the season ranked as No. 8 in the Associated Press Poll, jumped to No. 3 following wins over then-No. 5 LSU 45-24 in a second-half runaway at Camping World Stadium in Orlando in Week 1 and opened their home schedule with a 66-13 romping of Southern Miss in Week 2.

The Tigers opened the season with an upset 28-7 loss to Duke but have bounced back with victories over Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic by a combined score of 114-31.

Follow along for here for live updates and coverage from the game, or Democrat beat writers Ehsan Kassim (@Ehsan_Kassim) and Jack Williams (@JackGWilliams) on X, the app formerly known as Twitter.

FSU takeaways: Florida State wins overtime thriller in Clemson; first win in decade in Death Valley

Keon Coleman makes game-winning TD grab

Receiver Keon Coleman took a ball out of the air, landing in the end zone on a 24-yard throw from Jordan Travis to score a touchdown in the first overtime against Clemson.

The Seminoles defense then forced an errant throw on fourth-and-2 to come away with the 31-24 victory.

FSU snapped a seven-game losing streak to Clemson and won for the first time in Death Valley since 2013.

The Seminoles had not beaten the Tigers since an overtime victory in 2014.

FSU trailed 10-0 and were down 24-17 with Clemson driving to take a two-touchdown lead when Kalen DeLoach changed the game with a sack, strip fumble and scored the game-winning TD in the fourth quarter.

The Seminoles remain perfect at 4-0, 2-0 ACC. Clemson falls to 2-2, 0-2.

FSU has a week off, then starts a three-game homestand with Virginia Tech Oct. 7.

Florida State-Clemson football headed to overtime.

We are headed to overtime in Death Valley.

FSU called heads and lost the toss. Clemson elected to defend first.

Clemson’s new kicker Jonathan Weitz hooked a 29-yard go-ahead field goal to give the Tigers a chance to take the lead.

Florida State had a chance to its first lead of the game but failed a fourth down on a deep throw from Jordan Travis to the end zone.

Clemson got the ball back with 12 seconds left at its own 39 and following a good Will Shipley run, could not get another play off.

Kalen DeLoach sacks, returns fumble for TD to even FSU football with Clemson at 24 at end of third quarter

Linebacker Kalen DeLoach made the biggest play of the game for FSU football with a momentum-changing turnover. He sacked QB Cade Klubnik coming off a linebacker blitz. After Braden Fiske could not scoop the ball, DeLoach picked up the ball himself and returned it for a TD.

The Seminoles offense had just gone three-and-out for the second drive. Following a 46-yard run by Phil Mufah, the Tigers were poised to take a two-touchdown lead.

The play could have saved the game for FSU.

Will Shipley helps Clemson recapture lead

The Florida State defense allowed one first down on Clemson’s first drive of the second half and forced a punt. It was a chance for the Seminoles to take their first lead of the game.

Instead, the run game was stuffed twice and a third down pass went incomplete forcing a three-and-out.

The Tigers took advantage with a 11-play, 77 yard drive to burn 4:54 off the clock to re-take the lead. Will Shipley scored from a yard out.

A simple 3-yard gain by Tyler Brown turned into a 9-yard gain due to a missed tackle by Jarrian Jones. That set the tone for the drive, which included a 17-yard run by Cade Klubnik, who got out of an arm tackle and sack.

Jake Briningstool had two catches for 25 yards on the drive.

The FSU rushing offense has just 21 yards for 15 rushes late in the third quarter. The run game has struggled as the offensive line hasn’t opened many holes.

Ryan Fitzgerald evens FSU-Clemson football at 17-17

Florida State opened the second half with a deep ball from Jordan Travis to Johnny Wilson for 41 yards to get the offense rolling.

The Seminoles converted a fourth and one three plays later but the catch by Keon Coleman was taken off the board following an illegal formation penalty on FSU.

Ryan Fitzgerald came on and hit a 47-yard field goal on fourth and six to even the game for the Seminoles.

Fitzgerald remains a perfect 4-for-4 on kicks this season following a tumultuous season for him in 2022.

It’s now time to see if defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and the FSU defense can make adjustments against the Clemson offense.

Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman score before half to help FSU football cut Clemson lead to 17-14

The Seminoles offense has awoken, as they drove down in under two minutes to cut the score to 17-14 before halftime.

Travis ended the scoring drive with a one-yard keeper. He also hit Jaheim Bell twice for big catches, as well as Keon Coleman for 38 yards. A DPI on a pass to Johnny Wilson also aided FSU.

The Seminoles scored and are going to get the ball out of halftime. Even with everything that went wrong in the first half for FSU, it is positioned to take the lead or tie the game with a good drive coming out of the locker room.

Travis ended the first half 12 of 17 passing for 171 yards and a touchdown. Coleman led FSU with four receptions for 62 yards and a score.

Cade Klubnik was 13 of 18 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown. Will Shipley has nine rushes for 23 yards, but three receptions for 37 yards and a TD.

Cade Klubnik, Will Shipley respond for Clemson to build 17-7 lead

Cade Klubnik continued his attack on the FSU defense to respond to the FSU scoring drive. He hit Will Shipley for a 10-yard touchdown pass on a slant route to put the Tigers up 10 with 2:12 left in the first half.

Klubnik also hit Troy Stellato for 14 yards and had a 33-yard pass to Jake Briningstool to get the team deep into Seminole territory.

The FSU secondary has continued its struggles from last game as the absence of Akeem Dent continues to hurt the team.

The Seminoles' last drive of the half could be huge for them. They also get the ball out of halftime.

Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman help FSU football strike back

With the game potentially about to get away from them, Jordan Travis turned to his key pass weapons to mount an important drive. The 13-play, 75-yard drive ended with a Travis touchdown pass to Keon Coleman from seven yards out.

The biggest play of the drive was a one-yard rush on a read-option by Travis on fourth and one from near midfield to keep the drive going.

Travis also hit Johnny Wilson, Kyle Morlock and Trey Benson with key passes on the drive.

It was the first score for the Seminoles’ offense since they took a 31-10 lead over Boston College early in last Saturday’s third quarter.

Clemson takes 10-0 lead over FSU behind Cade Klubnik

After forcing a three-and-out on FSU’s second possession, the Tigers opened with great field position on its own 49.

Cade Klubnik ended the drive and gave Clemson a commanding 10-0 lead in the first on a QB sneak from one yard out.

Klubnik hit Tyler Brown for a 28-yard gain on the third play to move the ball to the FSU 6 earlier in the drive. Tatum Bethune was called for a holding on a third down stop for FSU from the 1 to give Clemson a fresh set of downs.

Jonathan Weitz, Clemson draw first score

Jonathan Weitz, a former walk-on, was invited back to the roster this week and successfully converted his first kick from 30-yards out to get the Tigers on the board.

On the drive Cade Klubnik to Beaux Collins for a gain of 12 on third and eight for Clemson.

Klubnik converted another third down on a throw to Tyler Brown on third and seven. That came after Will Shipley gained 15 yards on second and 22 on a screen pass where he broke a tackle.

Clemson already has three third down conversions and one on fourth.

The FSU defense is struggling with missed tackles still.

Clemson, Florida State trade punts

The Seminoles and Tigers traded punts on their first drives of the game.

Clemson collected one first down when FSU allowed them to convert on third-and-six but got a stop in third-and-three from near midfield to force a punt.

Kalen DeLoach had a nice PBU on the drive,

That is something that will be a key all game for FSU, as Clemson is an offense that moves the ball methodically instead of getting huge chunk plays.

On third and 10, Clemson’s D got FSU off the field when Andrew Mukuba broke up a Jordan Travis pass to Keon Coleman. He was tight in coverage the entire time.

Earlier in the drive, Travis threw a pass well behind Kyle Morlock and it was dropped by Jalyn Phillips for what should have been a major game-changing interception.

Travis needs to clean up his throws or that could spell trouble.

Pat McAfee picks Clemson over FSU on College Gameday

Pat McAfee picked Clemson to upset No. 4 FSU on Saturday on ESPN's College Gameday show. The other four pickers all picked the Seminoles to pull off its first victory in Death Valley since 2013.

Maurice Smith warming up, expected to start

As reported earlier, Robert Scott (lower body) and Akeem Dent (hamstring) are both out for the Seminoles. Center Maurice Smith was warming up and is expected to start.

Along with Scott and Dent, wide receivers Kentron Poitier and Deuce Spann appear to be out and dressed out.

Ja'Khi Douglas and Brock Glenn, both of whom Mike Norvell has ruled out previously not been seen either.

Running back Samuel Singleton, receiver Goldie Lawrence, tight Jerrale Powers, OL Julian Armella, Qae'Shon Sapp, Kanaya Charlton, Lucas Simmons and Daughtry Richardson, as well as DL Darrell Jackson, KJ Sampson, Ayobami Tifase, Aaron Hester and Lamont Green Jr. are scholarship players not spotted, as are LB DeMarco Ward, LB Dylan Brown-Turner and DB Ja'Bril Rawls

Jordan Travis, FSU QBs warming up

Jordan Travis, Tate Rodemaker and AJ Duffy are warming up on the field now. Freshman Brock Glenn was ruled out for a few weeks with an injury by head coach Mike Norvell earlier this week.

The Seminoles are wearing gold helmets, white tops and garnet bottoms for the game today.

Clemson is in orange helmets and tops and white bottoms.

Clemson without starters Antonio Williams and Walker Parks

Clemson has confirmed star wide receiver Antonio Williams and starting offensive tackle Walker Parks(undisclosed) are out for the game.

Williams, the 5-foot-11 receiver, has 15 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns this season. He had 56 receptions for 604 yards and four TDs last season.

Parks entered 2023 having played 1,984 career snaps over 37 games (26 starts).

Jordan Travis warming up, throwing deep balls

Jordan Travis is out here ripping balls from 40 yards out to the end zone. He doesn't seem to have any ill effects from last week's injury.

Travis was hurt on the second-to-last FSU drive before halftime. Tate Rodemaker took a knee to send the game to halftime before Travis returned in the second half.

He has 739 passing yards, eight touchdowns and one interception in 2023.

Robert Scott, Akeem Dent out for Clemson game for Florida State

Florida State takes on Clemson this week, with a noon kickoff. We are keeping an eye on for availability of three starters in this one are center Maurice Smith, right guard Robert Scott and safety Akeem Dent.

Smith and Scott (lower-body injuries) both missed the last two weeks while Dent went down against Southern Miss with a hamstring injury.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports both Scott and Dent are out and Smith is back.

Kentron Poitier, Byron Turner Jr., Quindarrius Jones and KJ Kirkland are other players to keep an eye on, based on last week’s availability for the BC game.

Representatives from the Gators Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Pop-Tarts Bowl are in attendance for today’s game, as well as two reps for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills (2x) New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers (3x) are also in attendance.

What time is the FSU game today?

• When: Noon Saturday, September 23

• Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina

Where can I watch FSU vs. Clemson on TV, streaming?

• TV: ABC (check local listings)

• Streaming: ESPN+ ($9.99 per month), WatchESPN (cable subscription needed) and the ESPN app, fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Sean McDonough is on the play-by-play with Greg McElroy as analyst and Molly McGrath reporting from the sideline for ABC. Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

What radio station is FSU football on?

• Radio: Seminoles Radio Network/WTNT 103.1 FM, SiriusXM Channel 82

• Online radio: Seminoles.com

FSU schedule 2023

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Clemson vs. FSU score, game recap from Florida State football game