Clemson Football: The Top 5 Historical Moments for the Tigers vs. FSU

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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 28: Retired coach Danny Ford of the Clemson Tigers takes the field during pre-game ceremonies before play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship Game December 5, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

1989: Danny Ford vs. Bobby Bowden, round two

Anybody remember this one? It’s one of the great ones in Clemson history.

I wasn’t quite born yet when it took place, but I’ve seen the reruns multiple times

The year prior to this one, 1988, Florida State escaped with a 24-21 win in Death Valley. This was the famous puntrooskie game where Leroy Butler turned the tide to give the Seminoles the win. Clemson was ranked No. 3 at the time and primed to make a run at a national championship.

Florida State ruined those dreams.

Fast-forward a year later, to 1989 and we get a completely different story.

Clemson football coach Danny Ford went in to Tallahassee and delivered a 34-23 beating to Bobby Bowden’s 16th-ranked Florida State team.

Bowden described the game as “a good whipping,” and went on to say, “I think they were tired of hearing about the puntrooskie.”

This was a major feather in the Tigers’ cap before Ford would move on to Arkansas due to some unfortunate circumstances with the NCAA.

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