Top-ranked Florida State was forced to rally against #22 Clemson Saturday night, but did so behind 305 yards passing by Sean Maguire and an overtime touchdown from Karlos Williams. The 23-17 victory was the 19th straight for FSU as the Seminoles improved to 3-0 on the season. As Florida State gets set to take on N.C. State, the Noled Out staff gives out game balls for the win in Saturday’s ACC opener:
Offense
Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: Rashad Greene, WR
Florida State’s senior wide receiver Rashad Greene finished with nine receptions for 135 yards on Saturday night — both game-highs. Greene’s 74-yard touchdown catch with 6:04 to play evened the game for Florida State and would ultimately force overtime. Greene now has 418 yards receiving in three games this year and sits just 716 yards shy of Ron Sellers’ FSU career receiving record.
Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Sean Maguire, QB
In his first career start, quarterback Sean Maguire passed for 305 yards and a touchdown as Florida State rallied past Clemson. Maguire was sacked five times and intercepted twice, but went 15-for-22 in the second half with 199 yards. With the Seminoles trailing with just over six minutes to play, Maguire found Rashad Greene for a 74-yard touchdown on 2nd-and-24 to tie the game at 17.
Defense
Mike Ferguson and Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Eddie Goldman, DT
With the game on the line, Florida State junior defensive tackle Eddie Goldman rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Goldman finished with just two stops on the night, but came through with a key forced fumble with under two minutes to play and Clemson driving to win the game. In overtime, Goldman recorded a sack and got penetration on a 4th-and-1 for Clemson that was ultimately stopped by a pair of Seminole defenders to set up the winning score.
Special Teams
Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: Cason Beatty, P
The much-maligned Florida State punter Cason Beatty averaged just over 40 yards-per-punt on eight kicks Saturday night, but four of them were downed inside the 20. Beatty also hit a season-long punt of 50 yards in the first half. Clemson did not have a single punt return yard for the evening.
Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Roberto Aguayo, K
Sophomore kicker and reigning Lou Groza Award winner Roberto Aguayo connected on his only field goal attempt of the night which was a season-long of 50 yards. Aguayo also made both of his PAT attempts and had three of his five kickoffs go for touchbacks.
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