Florida State's 2024 college football season has been a test of resilience, and it continued Saturday night against the 15th-ranked Clemson Tigers.
Despite the loss, the Seminole faithful should feel confident and have restored belief in the program's future outlook.
After the first quarter, this game looked over. Clemson jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the blink of an eye, the Tigers hit explosives, and the FSU offense turned the ball over.
It looked like every Florida State game thus far. But guess what? They didn't quit. Two or three weeks ago, this team would have quit, rolled over, and looked like Missouri vs Texas A&M earlier in the day.
Now, yes, Clemson's early onslaught allowed the Tigers to sit in cruise control and leave Tallahassee with a 29-13 win.
However, a Florida State team that lacked any passion or remnant of pride between the lines proved something to its fan base, its coaching staff, and, more importantly, itself.
Brock Glenn made his first start of the 2024 season with DJ Uiagalelei out of the picture for several weeks as he rehabs from surgery.
Mike Norvell has something in the redshirt freshman signal caller. Glenn played very well for an offense that had zero success protecting the quarterback and not a single rush yard through three-quarters of play.
Glenn finished the evening 23/41 for 228 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Clemson only recorded two sacks on the day because of Glenn's ability to move within the pocket, an element of the Florida State offense that has been missing throughout the season.
He made some big-time throws. The 13-yard TD pass to Amaree Wiliams was an absolute dot between three defenders, and the 12-yard TD pass to Ja'Khi Douglas was a precision strike.
Florida State's offense can win football games with Brock Glenn under center, and the redshirt freshman has replenished a cabinet of faith that was otherwise empty entering the week.
FSU is 1-5 (1-4) on the year. This season is about building toward the 2025 team, and while it is early, Brock Glenn appears to be a factor in the Seminoles' future.
The offense has found a dynamic playmaker in freshman tight end Landen Thomas. A position on the field that has brought absolutely zero production and beneficial contribution to FSU entering the game seems to have found its alpha from now on.
Thomas finished the night with seven catches for 80 yards, highlighted by a 35-yard catch and run in the second quarter.
The injection of youth into the starting 22 has done wonders for attitude and energy on the field; Florida State fans must feel great seeing their team show a pulse on the sideline for once in 2024.
On the Clemson side, the Tigers executed a great game plan well. I tip Garrett Riley for what he did with this offense following the season opener against Georgia.
The Tigers dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 265 yards at 6.6 yards per carry. Phil Mafah showcased his ability to project as an NFL-caliber running back, finishing the evening with 154 yards at 6.2 yards per carry.
Cade Klubnik was on schedule on schedule and hit his deep shots when called upon. He's looked great the last month of football following his underwhelming performance against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Klubnik finished the evening 19/33 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. One of the most underrated aspects of his game is just how athletic he is with his legs—he added another 62 yards on the ground.
Overall, it was a good win for Clemson on its first road trip of the season. Now the #10 ranked team in the country, the Tigers are in the lead with Miami for a spot in the ACC title game and playoff.
Florida State is on bye next week before a primetime Friday night matchup with Duke on Friday, October 18th.
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