For the first time in a long while, Dabo Swinney saw the Clemson Tigers he used to know. Behind a composed performance from quarterback Cade Klubnik and a resurgent defense, Clemson snapped its home skid with a 24-10 victory over Florida State on Saturday night in Death Valley.
The win ended a string of frustration for the Tigers (4-5, 3-4 ACC), who hadn’t won at home since Sept. 6 and had dropped six consecutive games against Power Four opponents in Memorial Stadium. It was also a much-needed moment of pride for a team fighting to salvage a difficult season.
Clemson’s offense wasted no time asserting itself, marching 75 yards on the opening drive. Klubnik capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown run, and in a fitting family twist, holder Clay Swinney — Dabo’s youngest son — dashed in for a two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
The Tigers extended the lead to 18-0 midway through the second quarter, cashing in after a fourth-down stop in Florida State territory. On the next play, Klubnik connected with Antonio Williams on a perfectly executed 34-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass that sent the home crowd into a roar.
Florida State (4-5, 1-5) finally found the end zone late in the first half when quarterback Thomas Castellanos hit Lawayne McCoy for a 7-yard score, cutting Clemson’s lead to 18-7 at the break.
After surrendering a combined 81 points in back-to-back losses to SMU and Duke, Clemson’s defense rediscovered its bite. Perhaps inspired by a visit from former defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the Tigers clamped down on one of the ACC’s most explosive offenses.
They held Florida State to just 360 total yards — a season low — including only 110 on the ground. The Seminoles also turned the ball over twice and were plagued by penalties, including costly calls for offensive pass interference and unnecessary roughness in the fourth quarter that derailed their comeback hopes.
Clemson made critical stands in the red zone, forcing a fumble at its own 8-yard line and stopping Florida State on fourth down earlier in the game. When Castellanos slipped on fourth down with under three minutes left, any hope for a Seminoles rally vanished.
Klubnik was efficient and poised, completing 19 of 26 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown and one rushing score.
Castellanos finished 20 of 38 for 203 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a fumble. Despite flashes of mobility and creativity, he struggled against Clemson’s consistent pressure.
After three straight home losses, the Tigers took a different approach to pregame emotions — forming a circle around the Tiger Paw midfield logo, locking arms, and giving thanks for another chance to play. That unity seemed to carry over through four quarters.
Florida State will return home to face Virginia Tech on Saturday night, while Clemson faces a short turnaround with a Friday night showdown against No. 14 Louisville in Death Valley — a chance to prove this renewed spirit isn’t just a one-week flashback.
