Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Kyle Parker threw for 242 yards and four
touchdowns, as the Clemson Tigers pulled away for a 40-24 win over the Florida
State Seminoles in an ACC clash at Memorial Stadium.
Parker hit on 18-of-30 pass attempts and was intercepted once, as Clemson
(6-3, 4-2 ACC) captured its fourth straight victory. Tailback C.J. Spiller
also had a big night, as he rushed for a career-best 165 yards and a score,
while catching three passes for 67 yards and another touchdown. With the win,
the Tigers now control their own destiny for the Atlantic Division title.
Quarterback Christian Ponder had a rough game for FSU (4-5, 2-4), as he threw
for 264 yards and a score, but with four interceptions. Jermaine Thomas turned
in 119 yards and a score on 26 carries, as the Seminoles saw their two-game
win streak come to an end.
The Seminoles started the scoring with a 35-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins
midway through the first quarter.
The Tigers responded three minutes later, as Dwayne Allen pulled in a 17-yard
touchdown pass from Parker. The extra-point failed, however, leaving Clemson
with just a 6-3 edge.
Less than two minutes later, FSU regained the lead with a 49-yard scoring
strike from Ponder to Lonnie Pryor. A 52-yard interception return for a score
moments later by Jamie Robinson gave the Seminoles a 17-6 advantage at the
end of the first quarter.
Clemson scored the only points of the second quarter, as Xavier Dye snared a
43-yard touchdown pass from Parker early in the frame. Spiller converted a
two-point try and the Tigers trailed just 17-14 at the break.
Spiller pulled in a 58-yard touchdown pass from Parker early in the third
quarter and Clemson now held a 21-17 edge.
FSU would respond later in the frame, as Thomas plunged one yard for a score
and a 24-21 lead.
The Tigers, however, would take over in the final quarter, scoring 19-
unanswered points for the 40-24 victory. The outburst began with a nine-yard
touchdown run by Andre Ellington and was followed with a two-yard touchdown
pass from Parker to Durrell Barry. Spiller put the finishing touches on the
game with a five-yard touchdown run with 3:29 remaining.
Clemson gained 483 total yards, including 241 rushing, and was aided by five
FSU turnovers.
