The Clemson football program has not had historical success against Florida State, but the wins against the Seminoles have been monumental.
The Clemson football program trails in the overall series with Florida State by a record of 12-20.
The Tigers and Seminoles matched up for the first time in 1970 when Florida State came away with a 38-13 victory in Tallahassee. It would be another five years before the two teams would play again, with FSU coming away with yet another win. Clemson would get its revenge over the Seminoles in 1976 in Tallahassee, but that would mark the last time the two programs would play each other until 1988.
In 1990, Florida State officially joined the ACC and began competing in football in 1992. Since then, the Tigers and Seminoles have developed a healthy conference rivalry.
The Clemson football program- under Dabo Swinney- is currently on its longest-winning streak against the Seminoles. Dabo Swinney has won four-straight dating back to 2015 and is looking to make it five Saturday afternoon when the Tigers host Florida State.
As we continue to prepare for the matchup between Clemson and Florida State Saturday, let’s take a look back at some of the good moments for the Tigers in this rivalry.
Here are the five most memorable wins all-time in Clemson football history against the Florida State Seminoles.
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.
4. An Unexpected Upset (2003)
Fast-forward more than a decade later and Clemson football hadn’t beaten Florida State one more time.
Following the loss in 1989, Florida State reeled off 11-straight wins over the Tigers. Some of the most notable wins included 57-0 beat down in 1993; 45-26 win in 1995; 34-3 victory in 1996; 48-0 thrashing in 1998; and a 54-7 blowout in 2000.
In 2003, Florida State came into the game ranked No. 3 in the nation. Clemson, on the other hand, had just suffered an embarrassing loss to Wake Forest and talks about job security were beginning to be had about Tommy Bowden.
No one expected what would come next. The Tigers upset Florida State at home in Memorial Stadium, beating the Seminoles soundly 26-10.
Clemson would go on to beat Duke 40-7, South Carolina 63-17 and then No. 6 Tennessee 27-14 in the Peach Bowl to cap what became a magical season.
3. The Complete Beatdown (2018)
The most recent memory we have of Clemson and Florida State came last season in Tallahassee.
Despite the talks of ‘upset,’ the Tigers took care of a lesser-talented Seminole team in dominant fashion. It was the biggest blowout for Clemson in its history over Florida State, winning the game 59-10.
The Tigers were so dominant in the win, there was more focus on a Florida State fan than on the game itself. A Seminole fan was spotted reading a book in a section by himself during the beatdown. As the game progressed, more fans joined him and some even began to read as well.
It was a perfect picture of the FSU program under Willie Taggart to that point and the season that the Seminole faithful had to suffer through. Clemson, on the other hand, finished the year undefeated and went on to win the National Championship.
2. We Will Rock You Part II (2011)
You can’t beat the original, but it sure comes close.
For any Tiger fans who don’t understand the importance of ‘We Will Rock You’ during FSU games, you’ll read about it on the next slide.
That being said, 2011 was a different time. The Tigers had just come off an upset win over Auburn the week before and now were hosting a Florida State team who was ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Though most didn’t give them a chance, Death Valley was rocking throughout the afternoon. Clemson’s explosive offense- led by Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins- led the Tigers to a 35-30 win over Florida State and set the program-building in motion. The defense came away with a stop to secure the win late in the game.
During the fourth quarter, Queen’s song ‘We Will Rock You’ began to blare across the loudspeaker- reminiscent of the 2009 game. Even when the music was cut off, the crowd continued to chant.
It was an electric afternoon in Death Valley and one that most will not soon forget.
1. We Will Rock You… The Original (2009)
So, for those wondering about the significance of ‘We Will Rock You,’ here’s the slide for you.
The most memorable win for Clemson football over Florida State came in 2009 when the Tigers put a 40-24 thrashing on the Seminoles, led by CJ Spiller.
As the Tigers took the field for the fourth quarter, Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ came over the loudspeakers.
It was one of the most electric crowds in the history of Death Valley as more than 80,000 people sang the anthem out.
That win marked the last time that Bobby Bowden would ever play against Clemson football and also was instrumental in helping a man by the name of Dabo Swinney rebuild the program early in his head-coaching career.