Clemson Football: 5 most memorable wins vs. FSU in Dabo Swinney era

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers 64-17 in the ACC Football Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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Deshaun Watson (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2016: The official downfall of the FSU program

Though Clemson had moved into the top spot in the ACC by the time the 2016 season had rolled around, there were still plenty of fans and analysts who believed the Seminoles could compete.

Florida State- though it had two losses- stepped into Doak Campbell Stadium ranked as the No. 8 team in the nation looking to knock off the No. 1-ranked Tigers.

They came dangerously close.

Clemson took an early 14-0 lead, but it was actually FSU who took the lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Seminoles put up 28 points in the second and third quarters (14 in each) to take a 28-20 lead.

That’s when Watson’s greatness shined yet again. Wayne Gallman scored a touchdown, but the two-point conversion try was missed. The Tigers got a stop and added a field goal to take a 29-28 lead with 5:25 remaining.

FSU roared back with an 80-yard drive, led by explosive plays from Dalvin Cook, to take a 34-29 lead with just 3:23 remaining. But that was too much time to leave on the clock for Watson and Co.

Watson found Jordan Leggett on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 2:06 and the defense held on to deliver the Tigers a 37-34 victory.

That game, in many ways, proved to be the official downfall of the FSU program.

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