Five most exciting Clemson football wins over Florida State in the Dabo Swinney era
The Clemson football program has experienced success unlike anything we’ve ever seen under the leadership and guidance of Dabo Swinney. It should come as no surprise that the Tigers have also seen extended success against their historical rivals under Swinney, as well.
The Clemson football program has a total of 13 wins all-time against the Florida State Seminoles (FSU leads the series 20-13). Seven of those 13 belong to Dabo Swinney.
As we continue to prepare for the upcoming rivalry matchup- though the Tigers are favored by nearly five touchdowns heading into the game- let’s take a look at some of the best moments in Clemson football history against the FSU Seminoles, directed by Swinney- the winningest Tiger coach against the Seminoles in program history.
We’ll take a look at this list in chronological order, beginning with Swinney’s first ever win against FSU.
2009: We Will Rock You
It was Dabo Swinney’s first year as the full-time head coach of the Clemson football program and things had been up-and-down at times.
Clemson entered their rivalry matchup against Florida State looking to pull off an upset and did they ever deliver. The Tigers pulled away for a 40-24 win after a couple of emotional defensive stops and big plays from the offense- led by C.J. Spiller– late in the third quarter and heading into the fourth.
Of course, what will always be remembered most is the entire stadium singing ‘We Will Rock You’ in unison.
It was a magical moment and as the Tigers took the field for the kickoff, you couldn’t help but know they were going to walk away victors, much of that due to their massive home field advantage.
2011: We Will Rock You, Part II
Florida State pulled off a win at home in 2010, but had to travel back to Death Valley to face a Clemson football team coming off a huge win over reigning national champion Auburn.
Led by some new faces- Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins– the Tigers put up a ton of points and held on late for a 35-30 victory.
Boyd finished the day with 344 yards passing and three touchdowns while the freshman Watkins introduced himself to the nation with 141 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
As the Tigers clinched the game, 80,000 strong lifted their voices and sang ‘We Will Rock You’ yet again late in the fourth quarter of the matchup.
2015: Revenge & stepping onto the national scene
Coming off of a 2013 National Championship and a 2014 CFB Playoff appearance, Florida State entered the 2015 season without Jameis Winston and there seemed to be just a small crack in the armor.
Clemson entered the November matchup looking to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division for the first time in four years and the Tigers finally did it.
Though FSU held a 10-6 lead at halftime and the game was tied 13-13 heading into the fourth quarter, Deshaun Watson came through when the Tigers needed him most and the defense held FSU scoreless in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 23-13 win and a division title.
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.
2018: Complete & utter domination
Who can talk about wins over Florida State in the Dabo Swinney era and not mention this gem?
Just two years ago Clemson went into Doak Campbell Stadium and absolutely drug the Seminoles through the mud.
Freshman Trevor Lawrence threw for four touchdowns and the Tigers came away with a dominant 59-10 win over the out-matched and out-classed Seminoles.
FSU finished the day with -21 yards rushing, turned the ball over twice and didn’t score any points until the third quarter when the Tigers were playing second and third stringers.
The most memorable portion of this game? The hilarious FSU fan who brought a book to read to pass the time by while he sat in Doak Campbell Stadium watching the ‘Noles get dismantled.