Red Zone Mistakes Cost Tigers All Night

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Clemson amassed 500 yards of total offense.

The 15 ^th -ranked Tigers rushed for 265 yards and threw for 235 more. They were 6 of 15 on third down. They averaged 6.8 yards per play and had 28 first downs.

When looking at the numbers, it appears Clemson ran away with a victory at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night. However, that was not the case.

The Tigers journeyed to the Florida State red zone six times and failed to score a single touchdown in a 29-13 victory.

Two times they failed to score a single point, as the Seminoles (1-5, 1-4 ACC) blocked two field goal attempts.

“I need to see that tape and see if I can give a better answer, but I think the biggest thing is we missed on a few plays, honestly,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “When you watch it, it is probably just a couple of things that we, maybe, call differently.

“I have to see it, and I will watch it on the plane home.”

The Tigers (4-1, 3-0 ACC) did score two touchdowns, but both were located outside of the red zone. Quarterback Cade Klubnik hit Antonio Williams for a 57-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and then freshman T.J. Moore on a 23-yard tunnel screen that went for six points.

After that, the Tigers got five field goals from freshman kicker Nolan Hauser from 26, 38, 25, 31 and 24 yards.

“Again, you have to come away with points. You got to get them however you can get them,” Swinney said. “They add up.”

Clemson’s head coach also gave credit to Florida State for keeping the Tigers out of the end zone.

“I told y’all coming in here that they have some dudes,” Swinney said. “Every one of those guys on the defensive line are going to be drafted, every one of them.”

“They are a really good group. They showed up to play and I thought they competed all the way to the end,” he continued.