FSU suffers another setback with road loss

CLEMSON, S.C. — It was another lost opportunity for Florida State, one that slipped through the Seminoles’ fingers.

Mistakes and offensive inefficiency cost Florida State (3-6, 3-5 ACC), with the Seminoles falling to No. 4 Clemson 31-14 Saturday. The loss leaves Jimbo Fisher’s team needing wins in its remaining three games against Delaware State, Florida and LouisianaMonroe to qualify for a bowl game. The program hasn’t missed a bowl since 1981.

This one seemed particularly painful for the Seminoles, with the two programs — at least on the surface — going in opposite directions. Clemson (9-1, 7-1 ACC) wrapped up the Atlantic Division crown with its win Saturday, setting up a meeting with Miami in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 2.

Florida State, meanwhile, has suffered through a season marked by key injuries and inconsistent play from its younger athletes.

“Our kids are learning, that’s for sure,” Fisher said after the loss. “We can continue to grow from this, but they competed very hard, played very hard and made a heck of a run to have a chance to be in it.

“But again just relax and make the play when we have to. Whether it’s offense, defense, special teams, we just can’t seem to make that play when we need to make it.”

Even the band had trouble after one of the buses carrying about 50 members broke down on the way to Memorial Stadium Saturday, forcing them to miss the halftime show. While those members would eventually show up to finish the game, the Seminoles could not do the same on the field.

FSU mounted a late rally, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter, but a James Blackman interception crushed any shot at a comeback.

“Five minutes to go, we were right there and had a chance and we let it slip away from us,” Fisher said. “Give them credit, they made the plays they had to do to win the game.”

Blackman never looked comfortable running the offense as Clemson applied relentless pressure throughout the game. It seemed as if a Tigers defender was in the freshman quarterback’s face at every turn and Blackman was sacked five times. Two of those sacks led to fumbles recovered by Clemson.