Game recap: Florida State comes up just short, loses to Clemson

Florida State has one more chance to capture a marquee win in its most difficult stretch of the season.

After starting 4-0 for the first time since 2015, the Seminoles were scheduled to face three straight-ranked opponents. They fell in their first two games, losing to No. 14 Wake Forest (31-21) and No. 15 NC State (19-17) to begin October.

To end its three-game gauntlet, FSU (4-2, 2-2 ACC) will next host No. 4 Clemson (6-0, 4-0) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (TV: ABC).

Under coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers look primed for their seventh run to the College Football Playoff in the last eight years. They already defeated the two teams that beat the Seminoles, in the Demon Deacons (51-45 in double overtime) and the Wolfpack (30-20).

All of their other wins have been by at least 23 points.

FSU will look to beat Clemson for the first time since 2014, losing six straight games. The Seminoles lead the all-time series over the Tigers 20-14, including a 12-5 record in Tallahassee.

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11:10 p.m. | Florida State suffers third straight loss to Clemson

After another hot start, Clemson dominates the second and third quarters to hand Florida State its third straight loss.

The Seminoles added a 6-yard passing touchdown from Travis to Douglas in the fourth quarter, and a 25-yard strike from Travis to Kentron Poitier to make it 34-28. They attempted an on-side kick late, but Clemson recovered.

Florida State (4-3, 2-3 ACC) fell 34-28 to Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC) at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday.

10:19 p.m. | Clemson tacks on 10 more heading into the fourth

The Tigers only picked up where they left off at halftime, starting the half with a 69-yard kickoff return from Shipley to the FSU 31. The following play, Uiagalelei hits Davis for a 31-yard touchdown pass to make it 31-14.

Potter goes 2-2 on the night, hitting a 34-yard field goal to make it 34-14.

Florida State has struggled to get over midfield, turning over on downs from their own 34, and punting from their own 25, before ending the third quarter at the Clemson 25. They'll start from there to open the fourth quarter.

9:17 p.m. |Clemson builds comfortable lead at the half

The Tigers outscored the Seminoles, 17-7, in the second quarter, building a 24-14 lead going into halftime. Lundy scored early to give FSU the early 14-7 lead before Clemson responded with a 7-yard strike from Uiagalelei to Jake Briningstool to tie things up at 14.

Later on, Clemson settled for a 47-yard field goal from B.T. Potter to make it 17-14. Florida State had a late opportunity but a fumble by Travis at the FSU 42 is recovered by Tyler Davis, eventually leading to a 5-yard rushing score from Uiagalelei to make it 24-14 at the half.

FSU is outrushing Clemson, 139-98, while Clemson is leaning more on its passing game with a 149-98 advantage. Travis is 10-18 for 98 yards and Uiagalelei is 10-15 with 149 yards. Antonio Williams has 76 receiving yards for Clemson and Shipley has 67 rushing yards for the Tigers.

For the Seminoles, Johnny Wilson has 35 receiving yards and Benson has 69 rushing yards.

8:28 p.m. | Jordan Travis gives FSU another quick start

Florida State once again finds success off of its first drive, seeing Jordan Travis make a 10-yard run to the house to take an early 7-0 lead. Clemson quickly responded with a 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ Uiagalelei to Antonio Williams.

The Seminoles still have the ball after this play, currently at the Clemson 1 on a drive that started at the Florida State 7. Linebacker DJ Lundy pounds it in from the 1-yard line to give FSU a 14-7 lead to start the second quarter.

27 plays for FSU on a 93-yard scoring drive. 74 rushing yards. Clemson allowing an average of 63-yards prior to tonight's game.

7:44 p.m. | FSU vs. Clemson is underway

Clemson wins the coin toss and elects to defer to the second half. Florida State ball to start.

The temperature is 79 degrees in Tallahassee and clear, with a 1 m.p.h wind speed to the west.

7:20 p.m. | Final FSU injury update, pregame warmup observations

FSU is warming up in full pads.

Running back Trey Benson, linebacker Amari Gainer, and wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas are fully dressed and expected to play. Benson and running back Lawrance Toafili are starting vs. Clemson.

Starting running back Treshaun Ward is not dressed out and is not expected to play. Benson and Douglas could step into larger roles tonight.

Defensive end Jared Verse was warming up in full pads but had a knee taped. Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett is in street clothes and is out. Defensive tackle Robert Cooper is expected to be available. He missed most of last week vs. NC State with an apparent upper-body injury. Cooper is starting this week vs. Clemson.

Defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson is unavailable. Wide receiver Darion Williamson, tight end Jackson West and offensive lineman Thomas Shrader are unavailable.

No changes to starting offensive line.

6:30 p.m. | Pregame injury updates

There will be a handful of FSU players who will be worth monitoring during pregame warmups.

Starting running back Treshaun Ward will be the most notable player to watch. He permanently left the NC State game last Saturday after suffering an apparent collarbone injury. Coach Mike Norvell said Monday that Ward “will do everything in his power" to be against Clemson.

Ja’Khi Douglas, who lines up at wide receiver and running back, is expected to play in his first game of the season. He missed the first six games after going down with an undisclosed injury during preseason camp. For the first time all season, the Seminoles listed him on their two-deep chart Monday.

Starting defensive tackle Fabien Lovett traveled with the team to NC State but did not dress out. He is still looking to play in a game for the first time since he suffered a lower right leg injury against LSU on Sept. 4.

Backup linebacker Amari Gainer, FSU’s active career leader in tackles, has not played in a game since he went down with a lower leg injury in the Aug. 27 season opener against Duquesne. He dressed out and participated in pregame warmups before the Wake Forest and NC State games but did not receive action.

Reserve receiver Darion Williamson will look to make his return for the first time since he suffered an undisclosed injury against Boston College on Sept. 24. He led the Seminoles with 98 receiving yards on five catches in that game.

Defensive backs Travis Jay and Demorie Tate, tight end Jackson West and center Thomas Shrader are among other scholarship backups who have missed extended time. Shrader is the only player among them to play in a game this season, and his action came in the season opener.

West Virginia receiver transfer Winston Wright Jr. (car accident) has yet to play in a game this season but is expected to return at some point.

Offensive linemen Bless Harris and Kayden Lyles, linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. and walk-on running back CJ Campbell are out for the season with undisclosed injuries.

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Game recap: Florida State football comes up just short against Clemson