Travis helps No. 4 Florida State snap 7-game losing streak to Clemson with 31-24 overtime victory

CLEMSON, S.C. — Jordan Travis has spent too lengthy listening to how No. 4 Florida State cannot beat Clemson.

That is over now after Travis threw a picture-perfect landing go in extra time to elevate the Seminoles to a long-sought victory over the rival Tigers.

Keon Coleman caught the 24-yard TD go from Travis in extra time and the Seminoles adopted up with a defensive stand to snap a seven-game shedding streak to Clemson with a 31-24 win that touched off a Loss of life Valley celebration a decade within the making.

“I had tears coming down within the locker room,” mentioned Travis, the sixth-year quarterback.

Florida State had has ceded its place because the ACC’s energy program to Clemson. Clemson had received seven of the previous eight league crowns and nationwide titles in 2016 and 2018.

Now, it seems to be just like the Seminoles are prepared to leap again into the highest spot.

“We come right here with that environment and had adversity over the course of the sport, all stuff you count on,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell mentioned. “The top of this recreation, it was actually particular. The issues I used to be most happy with, I informed our gamers, was they put their coronary heart on show.”

Travis additionally threw for one more TD and ran for a rating for the Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Convention), who had not overwhelmed Clemson (2-2, 0-2) since an extra time victory in 2014. He is now accounted for 82 touchdowns in his profession to maneuver previous Chris Weinke as No. 1 in program historical past.

FSU linebacker Kalen DeLoach pressured a fumble by Cade Klubnik and scooped it up for a 56-yard TD return to tie issues at 24-all with 31 seconds left within the third quarter.

“I noticed it,” DeLoach mentioned. “And I did what I may do.”

Florida State trailed by as a lot as 10 twice within the first half.

Clemson had an opportunity to take a late lead with 1:47 left within the fourth quarter, however Jonathan Weitz, a graduate pupil who left the staff earlier than the season solely to return this week after the Tigers had points within the kicking recreation, missed a 29-yard attempt large left.

“After I hit it, I believed I hit it good,” Weitz mentioned. “After I appeared up, it is dying left.”

Given one other probability, Travis and the Seminoles wouldn’t fold. Travis lofted a high-arcing go that Coleman caught in stride and hushed the raucous Loss of life Valley crowd on the primary further possession.

Clemson could not get a primary down on its possession when Klubnik’s fourth-and-2 go sailed large of the goal and Florida State’s gamers sprinted to rejoice on the sector the place this system hadn’t received since 2013.

Clemson had solely misplaced twice in 10 years at Loss of life Valley because the Seminoles and quarterback Jameis Winston’s memorable, 51-14 beatdown of the Tigers in 2013.

Klubnik handed for 283 yards and a landing and ran for a rating. However he had a fumble for the third time in 4 video games, this one proving pricey.

“We performed our butt off,” Klubnik mentioned. “We have simply acquired to discover ways to end.”

The Tigers began No. 9 within the preseason rankings, slid down and finally out of the ballot after a 28-7 loss in Week 1 to unranked Duke. Three weeks of listening to their season was over clearly rankled the defending ACC champions they usually had their best offensive exhibiting this season.

However they slowed down late and after having a third-and-1 in extra time, could not get a yard to maintain the sport going.

Weitz had been Clemson’s back-up kicker for 4 seasons, earlier than calling it quits this 12 months. He acquired a name from coach Dabo Swinney at his dwelling in Charleston final Sunday, asking hime to rejoin the staff, and returned Monday. Weitz had been engaged on a graduate diploma on-line.

He acquired the Tigers’ scoring began with a 30-yard subject objective. He had made simply three further factors in his 4 seasons with the staff earlier than pursuing a job in finance.

THE TAKEAWAY

Florida State: The Seminoles overcame maybe their largest ACC hurdle to supplant Clemson because the league heavyweight. If Florida State can proceed to point out the grit it displayed in raucous Loss of life Valley, it is going to be a robust guess to be enjoying for its first ACC convention crown since 2014.

Clemson: The Tigers wanted a win right here to get themselves again within the ACC and Faculty Soccer Playoff chase. As a substitute, they have two losses in September for the second time in three seasons and can want convention chaos for any probability to play for a league title.

NO RESPECT

Travis mentioned Clemson’s alternative of one-on-on protection towards Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman acquired him offended. The 2 receivers mixed for 10 catches and 180 yards with Coleman catching two TDs.

“I really feel like we have been disrespected all day. Whenever you put one-on-one towards Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, I really feel like you don’t have any respect for both the receivers or the quarterback.”

UP NEXT

Florida State has per week off, then begins a three-game homestand with Virginia Tech on Oct. 7.

Clemson travels to Syracuse on Saturday.

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AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll