ESPN College Football

Heather Dinich talks to Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd about the Tigers’ win over Florida State.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- It was a fleeting thought that lasted approximately “a few hours.” That’s how long Clemson receiver Xavier Dye quit the team earlier this season.

It lasted until coach Dabo Swinney sat Dye down in his office and told him he needed to work harder, not walk away. The result was a hungrier Dye who has since added something to Clemson’s offense -- including a 43-yard touchdown reception in the Tigers’ 40-24 win over the Seminoles on Saturday -- instead of taking a piece way.

“I put a lot of hard work into this program, and they’ve been good to me,” Dye said. “I couldn’t just walk out and leave all the guys I’ve been working with, bleeding with and all that stuff. I was able to stick around, man-up, keep working hard and help the team out as much as I can.”

He’s not the only one.

Dye is a small example of the big picture here at Clemson. Unlike recent teams of the Tommy Bowden era, this team does not quit under Swinney. It didn’t fold after a 1-2 start in conference play that included an embarrassing loss to now last-place Maryland, and it didn’t concede anything to Florida State despite trailing 17-6 in the first quarter. Clemson fans have been conditioned to expect impending doom, but with each win over the past three weeks, the Tigers have taken steps to convince doubters they’re capable of more this year. The reward -- a trip to the ACC championship game in Tampa -- is now just two wins away. Clemson needs only to beat NC State and Virginia -- two teams that have combined for three conference wins -- in order to win the division.

	Sam Sharpe/US Presswire
	Clemson's C.J. Spiller rolled up a school-record 312 all-purpose yards.

“It’s a new group of coaches, it’s a new message,” said offensive coordinator Billy Napier, whose group has now scored at least 38 points in four straight games for the first time in the history of the program. “We recognize the fact that our preparation is going to impact how we play on Saturdays. It’s a new Clemson. It’s an overhaul. The message is different, and our players more than anything see the opportunity that’s been there in the past. They believe in the message that’s being given to them every week.”

It was the program’s biggest step towards winning the Atlantic Division, and it’s been a long time coming for a program in search of its first ACC title since 1991.

“Our fans deserve this win, our players deserve this win, and the administration deserves this win,” said Swinney. “Championship teams find a way to win games, and that’s what we’ve been teaching these guys. And they found a win to win, despite many obstacles. That team rose up in the fourth quarter and refused to lose.”

Not that they didn’t try a few times.

The Tigers missed three extra points and two field goals. They scored four times in seven trips to the red zone. And they had two turnovers and seven penalties.

At halftime, with his team trailing, 17-14, Swinney asked his players, “Why the long faces?” He reminded them they had an entire half yet to play, and they responded to him.

C.J. Spiller looked Heisman worthy as he finished with a school-record 312 all-purpose yards, and the defense came up with four interceptions for 82 yards. The Tigers finished with a season-high 483 yards of total offense, and quarterback Kyle Parker tied a single-game freshman record with four touchdown passes.

“We did take a big step today,” said wide receiver Jacoby Ford said. “It just feels good to get over that hump. It’s something we haven’t been able to do the past few years. This is a team that really wanted it. We knew what was at hand. We just wanted to go out there and play to the best of our abilities and get the job done.

“It’s definitely not over until it’s over,” he said. “Our goal is to get to Tampa. We haven’t punched our ticket yet.”

This year, though, there seems to be less concern about the Tigers losing that ticket.

C.J. Spiller discusses Clemson's 40-24 win over Florida State with ACC blogger Heather Dinich.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the end, Clemson had two things Florida State did not -- C.J. Spiller and defense. Both were the difference in a mistake-laden game and the Tigers were able to assert themselves as the best team in the Atlantic Division with a 40-24 win over the Seminoles.

Spiller had another Heisman-worthy performance, and Florida State finally ran into a defense that could force Christian Ponder into mistakes. While it was a sloppy game for both teams, the Noles made the more costly errors. Now FSU likely has to win its next two ACC games to become bowl eligible, as a win over Florida in the season finale is unlikely. Wake Forest, though, is in the same situation, and a lot of pride will be on the line next Saturday in Wake Forest.

Not only is Clemson bowl eligible, but it's in a great position to play for the school's first ACC title since 1991.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the midst of an interception, Clemson safety Rashard Hall tried to throw a lateral to DeAndre McDaniel, but instead found Kavell Conner who ran it back 29 yards to put the Tigers in scoring position at the 24-yard line. It was an odd play, but this time, Clemson was able to make something out of the Noles' mistake.

For the most part.

Clemson missed another extra point, but still leads 27-24. And there's way too much time left in this game (nine minutes) for any Clemson fans to feel comfortable. This game has been filled with game-changing mistakes, and it's fitting for how the Atlantic Division has struggled this year.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- First there was the drop by Jacoby Ford inside the 10-yard line. Then there was Clemson's penalty for an ineligible receiver on third and goal. And finally -- and fittingly -- there was the missed 26-yard field goal. And for the second time tonight, Clemson missed an opportunity to take the lead from Florida State.

That's two missed field goals and an extra point for the Tigers. Do the math, and it adds up to a touchdown, which Clemson could use right now. The Tigers trail 24-21 entering the fourth quarter.

After wins over Wake Forest and Miami, it appeared that Clemson had solved some problems on offense, but C.J. Spiller can't be the only answer for this team, especially when so much else is going wrong around him.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Florida State running back Jermaine Thomas accounted for 19 yards and a touchdown on six carries to help give the Seminoles a 24-21 lead here in the fourth quarter.

The Noles are starting to look better running the ball here in the second half, and it has helped. Florida State was 4-for-4 on third down conversions on that scoring drive. Thomas and quarterback Christian Ponder are making this Clemson defense work. Thomas is averaging 4.4 yards per carry tonight and is on his way to a 100-yard game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Florida State did a decent job in the first half of containing C.J. Spiller, but good luck finding a defense that can do it for four quarters -- especially one as troubled as Florida State's.

Kyle Parker found Spiller down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown reception that put the Tigers ahead 21-17. Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier and coach Dabo Swinney promised this past summer they would get the ball to their playmakers this year, and they've delivered. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are the keys to this offense, and they're making use of both of those guys for big gains today.

Spiller is already in my top five Heisman list. The only question still hanging out there is how high he should be on it, and right now, he's stating his case to move up. The Tigers have to hang onto this lead for that to happen, though.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. - Chris Chancellor is out for the rest of the game with a lower leg injury. This is a significant hit to the Tigers' defense, as Chancellor is a veteran who ranks among the top four active ACC players in terms of total career interceptions. Still, the Tigers have lots of talent in their secondary with Crezdon Butler and DeAndre McDaniel.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- First, an injury update. Chris Chancellor has a lower leg injury. He’s being reevaluated during the break. Now, a quick look at what happened in the first half here in Memorial Stadium.

Turning point: It was first and goal from the FSU 5-yard line, when Kyle Parker was sacked by Markus White for a loss of a yard and fumbled. Dekoda Watson recovered it, and Clemson’s chance at heading to the locker room with a lead took a hit. The defense gave Parker and Co. another opportunity on the ensuing drive with an interception, but Richard Jackson missed a 38-yard field goal. That fumble on the five-yard line was as close as the Tigers would get to reasserting themselves in the first half.

What Clemson needs to do: Eliminate the penalties and capitalize on their red zone scoring chances. Clemson has five penalties for 40 yards. That’s surprising, considering the Tigers entered this game averaging just 4.6 penalties per game, which was fourth best in the country. Earlier in the year, when Clemson was struggling, it was in the red zone. That appears to be the case again tonight.

What Florida State needs to do: Continue to run the ball and limit the mistakes. Jermaine Thomas has been a bright spot for the Noles, and his success helps Ponder with the play-action passes and opens up other options in the passing game. Right now, though, FSU has only been successful on 1 of 2 third downs. Their three turnovers have kept them out of a rhythm. Ponder’s two interceptions are uncharacteristic, but Clemson’s defense deserves some credit for that.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson is trying to give it away. So is Florida State:

Here, you take it.

No, really, you.

No, no, I insist.

There have been five total turnovers so far. Clemson forced three, FSU forced two.

There have been penalities, turnovers and silly mistakes by both teams. FSU had 12 defenders on the field. Earlier in the first quarter, Clemson had 10. Told you these teams even each other out.

The Atlantic Division is up for grabs here. So is the football.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- What goes around comes around here in Death Valley. After returning an interception for a touchdown, Florida State let the Tigers back in the game with a turnover of their own, as a forced fumble by Kavell Conner lead to a two-play, 48-yard scoring drive. C.J. Spiller was able to punch it in on a two-point conversion, and the Tigers now trail, 17-14. It was the first two-point conversion of Spiller's career. There's not much he can't do, really.

Two plays before that, FSU fumbled, but left guard Rodney Hudson recovered it. This is an even game so far because both teams are making similar mistakes, and have the speed and talent to help compensate for them with big plays. Whichever team makes fewer errors and comes up with the key defensive stops will come out on top in the fourth quarter.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- About those turnovers. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker threw a costly one in the first quarter, as FSU's Jamie Robinson returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown for a 17-6 lead. Mickey Andrews threw his hands in the air in celebration, and it's about time his defense gave him something to cheer for.

So far, the Noles have done a good job of containing C.J. Spiller and putting pressure on Parker. That interception was his mistake, though, as he had a receiver wide open. It's those kinds of plays that will be the difference in this game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Florida State wide receiver Lonnie Pryor's 49-yard touchdown reception put the Noles ahead 10-6 here in Death Valley, and if quarterback Christian Ponder is feeling any pain tonight, you certainly couldn't see it in the smile on his face after that play.

Jimbo Fisher is calling a good game so far, and so is Billy Napier on Clemson's sideline.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Florida State's defense is using its friendly formation tonight. You know, the one that holds the door open for you? They allowed an 11 yard pass. A 23-yard pass. And finally, a 17-yard touchdown pass. Seven plays, 76 yards, and the Tigers lead 6-3.

Quarterback Kyle Parker is 6-of-8 passing for 67 yards to six different receivers so far.

As for the missed extra point? Rare. Very rare. The first missed extra point since the 2006 Music City Bowl. The first missed extra point in the past 116. Let's see if the Noles can respond. They've been moving the ball well so far tonight.