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Clemson Football: 5 Most Memorable Wins vs. Florida State

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with fans after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 23-13 at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with fans after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 23-13 at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

5. Danny Ford Gets His Revenge (1989)

If you know your Clemson football history, you know about the infamous 1988 loss to Florida State the year before this game. It’s become known as one of the most memorable moments in all of College Football history.

As the Tigers entered the game ranked No. 3 in the nation, Bobby Bowden made one of the most jaw-dropping decisions of his career and it worked to his advantage. It’s become known as the “Puntrooskie.”

That loss knocked Clemson out of the National Championship picture and dashed the Tigers’ hopes of creating momentum to get back to being a national power.

In 1989, though, Danny Ford got his revenge.

Ford led Clemson to a 34-23 win over Florida State in Tallahassee. After the game, Bobby Bowden told the media that he believed the Tigers were tired of hearing about the Puntrooskie and said the game was a ‘tail-whoopin.’

Ford would leave Clemson for Arkansas following the season, but the game still lives on as one of the greatest wins in Clemson football history over Florida State.

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