Florida State vs. Clemson final score: Seminoles survive in OT, 23-17

Karlos Williams scored on a 12-yard run in overtime and the No. 1-ranked Florida State Seminoles survived without suspended Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston for a 23-17 overtime victory over the No. 22 Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday night.

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Florida State (3-0) extended the longest active winning streak in the nation to 19 games—a school record—while also taking its Atlantic Coast Conference opener from Clemson, which had the ball deep in FSU territory with less than two minutes to go in a tie game before Seminole defensive tackle Eddie Goldman ripped the ball away from Clemson running back C.J. Davidson.

Nate Andrews recovered for Florida State at its own 14-yard line and the ‘Noles elected to kill the clock and play for overtime.

In the overtime, Clemson (1-2) had the ball first, but was stopped on a fourth-and-1 from inside the FSU 16, turning the ball over with Florida State needing a score to win.

Williams wasted no time, rambling for 13 yards on first-and-10 from the Clemson 25 and then scooting around left end on FSU’s second play of overtime to end it.

Redshirt sophomore Sean Maguire, making his first career start in place of Winston, had some rough moments but finished 21-for-39 for 305 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions.

But the problem for the Seminoles was that they had trouble getting the running game going. Williams led the ground attack with 45 yards on 10 carries, but 25 of those came on two carries in overtime. During regulation, the Seminoles were held to minus-12 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

Clemson led 10-3 at the half, but Florida State marched 68 yards on nine plays on its first possession of the second half, tying the score on a 1-yard run by Mario Pender.

Clemson reclaimed the lead on a 2-yard run by true freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson—who replaced senior Cole Stoudt on the Tigers’ fourth possession late in the first quarter and went the rest of the way.

Florida State caught its big break with 6:04 remaining. Rashad Greene—who has killed Clemson throughout his career at FSU—caught his fifth touchdown pass against the Tigers when redshirt freshman cornerback Mackensie Alexander fell down and left Greene all alone down the right seam. Maguire didn’t miss, hitting Greene in stride for a 74-yard score.

Clemson will kick itself for missed opportunities. There was the fumble late in regulation and the Tigers also missed two field goals in the game, one after failing to score from inside the FSU 1-yard line. A bad snap pushed the ball outside the 20 and kicker Ammon Lakip pushed a 40-yard attempt wide to the right on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Watson was 19-for-28 for 266 yards passing and rushed 12 times for 30 yards. Clemson outgained the Seminoles 407-318.

Florida State hits the road next week—presumably with Winston back in uniform—to visit North Carolina State. Clemson goes home to host North Carolina.