Florida State battled, clawed, and willed its way to a monumental step for the program under head coach Mike Norvell. After trailing 10-0, the Seminoles responded to take the contest into overtime, eventually walking out of Death Valley with a 31-24 victory.
There were plenty of important plays in the game but there might not have been a more impactful single sequence than linebacker Kalen DeLoach's forced fumble in the third quarter.
The Seminoles opened up the second half with a field goal to tie the game at 17. However, Clemson took back the lead on a one-yard rush by Will Shipley. The Tigers quickly forced Florida State's offense into a three-and-out and it felt like the team was on the ropes with how the defense had performed throughout the game.
It seemed like much of the same after Clemson running back Phil Mafah exploded for 46 yards to begin the possession. The Tigers were threatening to take a two-score lead in the final minutes of the third quarter.
Instead, the Seminoles struck as DeLoach came flying in on a blitz and leveled Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik, who lost control of the football. Braden Fiske tried to corral the ball before it popped into DeLoach's hands. The redshirt senior scampered 56 yards while surrounded by a group of defensive linemen (and Tatum Bethune) to tie the game at 24 and flip the momentum.
That was the first of five consecutive stops for the Seminoles on defense to conclude the game, including a missed 29-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and an incompletion on fourth down to secure Clemson's defeat. Prior to that, the Tigers had been having their way with Florida State and even ended up holding the edge in total yards of offense by a wide margin (429-311).
Following the victory, DeLoach was the latest Seminole to have the honor of breaking the rock. This one was extremely special for the players as it marked the first win against Clemson for anyone on Florida State's roster outside of Jaheim Bell and Gilber Edmond.
DeLoach finished with seven total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one defensive touchdown, and one pass breakup. This was the fourth rock that Florida State has shattered this season. Wide receiver Keon Coleman earned the sledgehammer against LSU after scoring three touchdowns in his debut with the program. Trey Benson joined him the following week after recording a hat-trick of his own. DJ Lundy had the honor against Boston College following a performance that included an interception and a rushing touchdown.
Check out the moment below.
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