Florida State Uses Big Second Half to Slam Clemson

Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel came up big when the Seminoles needed him to in their win over Clemson. (AP Photo)

An early ACC showdown took center stage Saturday night. The #10 Clemson Tigers were travelling to Tallahassee to take on #4 Florida State. With these two offenses set to play, no one suggested a defensive stalemate was in store. The Tigers had averaged 46.5 points per game over their last two matchups. Meanwhile, the Seminoles had outscored their first three opponents by a colosal margin of 176-3.

It was Clemson who took control of the game early. A costly fumble and a pair of missed field goals were some of the early setbacks for Florida State. Early in the third quarter, the Tigers increased their lead to 28-14 on a bit of trickery. Running back Andre Ellington completed a pass to All-American wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

Suddenly, it was as if something clicked for the Florida State players. The Seminole offense began to click and the defense started to shut down Clemson's attack. By the time the third quarter ended, Florida State had scored three touchdowns and only given up one field goal to take a 35-31 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles found the endzone again on a five-yard touchdown run by sophomore tailback James Wilder Jr. Their lead was now up to 42-31.

The game-sealing play came with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd dropped back to pass. His pass was intercepted by Florida State sophomore cornerback Nick Waisome. The next Seminoles play was a 27-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Chris Thompson. Now trailing by 18, the Tigers never were able to recover. They did get one touchdown back, but ended up losing 49-37 to Florida State.

When Florida State had to step up, they not only did so, but did so as a team. Quarterback EJ Manuel is emerging as a true star. In the win over Clemson, he completed 27 of 35 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns. Manuel also rushed 12 times for 108 yards, including a 28-yard scamper. The Seminoles two primary tailbacks were just as important to the rushing attack. Thompson (103 rushing yards) and Wilder Jr. (65 rushing yards) both had two touchdowns each.

The effort of the Florida State defense and their pressure on Boyd and the Clemson offense all night cannot be overlooked. With his exceptional play throughout the season so far, Manuel has to be thrust into the Heisman conversation. Along with that, the Seminoles have to be in the national championship conversation as well. They have been that good to say the least.