Written by Adrian Beecher
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/9/9/9399298/fsu-clem-ht.jpg?439)
(Tallahassee, FL) - Turnovers led by high intensity defense has the Clemson Tigers out in front of FSU in a 17-14 dog fight at the half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson has completed 14 of 19 passes for 146 yards and 1 TD through the air, along with an interception and 57 yards rushing. For the Noles, leader Deondre Francois has completed 10 of 19 passes for 187 yards and a TD and an interception as well. Dalvin Cook is leading the FSU rushing attack with 8 carries for just 33 yards.
Clemson started the game with possession and drove straight down the field, picking up a 1st down on 4th down and then found themselves in the endzone on a 1 yard TD run from Wayne Gallman. This made it 7-0 Tigers with 11:05 left in the 1st quarter.
FSU’s opening drive started out promising, but didn’t end in the same way. After getting down to the 19 yard line of Clemson, a 15 yard personal foul and a sack on Deondre Francois pushed the Noles back to a 2nd and 20. They were able to pick that up, then on the next set of downs, a run for a loss by Dalvin Cook along with another sack on Francois, pushed the Noels outside of field goal range, forcing them to punt. Their punt sailed into the back of the endzone, giving the Tigers a 1st and 10 at their 20-yard line.
It then took Deshaun Watson and the Tigers 10 plays to go 80 yards down field as Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow along the right sideline for a 4-yard TD pass. This made it 14-0 Clemson with 1:41 left to play in the 1st quarter.
FSU’s 2nd possession of the game ended quickly with a 3 and out. A short punt set up the Tigers with a 1st and 10 at the Noles’ 49. The Tigers were unable to take advantage of the field position as FSU forced them into a 3 and out as well. Clemson’s first punt of the night pinned the Noles’ back at their 7-yard line. This then lead FSU into another quick 3 and out.
After being setup at the Noles’ 47 yard line to start the drive, Clemson looked to go up 3 scores. However on 3rd and 1, Deshaun Watson threw an ill-advised pass that was tracked down and intercepted by Noles’ cornerback Marquez White, setting up FSU with a 1st and 10 at their own 40-yard line. Then a meltdown ensued for the Clemson defense.
A total of 3 pass interference penalties were called on the Clemson defense, one was negated by a FSU holding call. However, the penalties pushed the Noles deep into Tiger territory and led to a 4 yard rushing TD by Dalvin Cook as FSU made it 14-7 with just 8:20 left in the half. The Noles defense then stood tall, forcing Clemson into a punt on their ensuing possession.
FSU’s Deondre Francois on a 1st and 10 from the Noles’ 32-yard line, was hit hard as he passed it deep down field. The pass sailed on him and was intercepted by Jadar Johnson, giving the Tigers possession at their own 39-yard line. 8 plays, 2 minutes and 56 seconds later kicker Greg Huegel for the Tigers put a 23 yarder through the uprights to make it 17-7 Clemson with just 1:44 left on the clock.
FSU then answered on a quick moving drive as Francois completed passes for 40 and 23 yards before connecting with Nyqwan Murray for a 5 yard TD play that was initially ruled incomplete. However after a review on the field, it was determined that Murray got a foot down in the end zone, cutting the Clemson lead to just 3 points before the half.
Clemson started the game with possession and drove straight down the field, picking up a 1st down on 4th down and then found themselves in the endzone on a 1 yard TD run from Wayne Gallman. This made it 7-0 Tigers with 11:05 left in the 1st quarter.
FSU’s opening drive started out promising, but didn’t end in the same way. After getting down to the 19 yard line of Clemson, a 15 yard personal foul and a sack on Deondre Francois pushed the Noles back to a 2nd and 20. They were able to pick that up, then on the next set of downs, a run for a loss by Dalvin Cook along with another sack on Francois, pushed the Noels outside of field goal range, forcing them to punt. Their punt sailed into the back of the endzone, giving the Tigers a 1st and 10 at their 20-yard line.
It then took Deshaun Watson and the Tigers 10 plays to go 80 yards down field as Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow along the right sideline for a 4-yard TD pass. This made it 14-0 Clemson with 1:41 left to play in the 1st quarter.
FSU’s 2nd possession of the game ended quickly with a 3 and out. A short punt set up the Tigers with a 1st and 10 at the Noles’ 49. The Tigers were unable to take advantage of the field position as FSU forced them into a 3 and out as well. Clemson’s first punt of the night pinned the Noles’ back at their 7-yard line. This then lead FSU into another quick 3 and out.
After being setup at the Noles’ 47 yard line to start the drive, Clemson looked to go up 3 scores. However on 3rd and 1, Deshaun Watson threw an ill-advised pass that was tracked down and intercepted by Noles’ cornerback Marquez White, setting up FSU with a 1st and 10 at their own 40-yard line. Then a meltdown ensued for the Clemson defense.
A total of 3 pass interference penalties were called on the Clemson defense, one was negated by a FSU holding call. However, the penalties pushed the Noles deep into Tiger territory and led to a 4 yard rushing TD by Dalvin Cook as FSU made it 14-7 with just 8:20 left in the half. The Noles defense then stood tall, forcing Clemson into a punt on their ensuing possession.
FSU’s Deondre Francois on a 1st and 10 from the Noles’ 32-yard line, was hit hard as he passed it deep down field. The pass sailed on him and was intercepted by Jadar Johnson, giving the Tigers possession at their own 39-yard line. 8 plays, 2 minutes and 56 seconds later kicker Greg Huegel for the Tigers put a 23 yarder through the uprights to make it 17-7 Clemson with just 1:44 left on the clock.
FSU then answered on a quick moving drive as Francois completed passes for 40 and 23 yards before connecting with Nyqwan Murray for a 5 yard TD play that was initially ruled incomplete. However after a review on the field, it was determined that Murray got a foot down in the end zone, cutting the Clemson lead to just 3 points before the half.