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Seminoles Defense Line has Momentum Ahead of Clemson
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- Seminoles Defense Line has Momentum Ahead of Clemson
(Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)
The Florida State Seminoles (3-4) gave the Miami Hurricanes (6-0) all they could handle, and more.
The defensive line of Florida State stepped up and had one of their better performances of the season and now has momentum as they prepare for Clemson (4-2) on Oct. 31.
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Against the Hurricanes, several Florida State defenders graded high for their performances that forced Miami to two overtime periods.
First, the Desir twins showed up and graded high, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Mandrell Desir received a second-highest grade on the team with an 80.7 overall mark.
Against the run, Desir earned an 81.5 grade, and recorded three quarterback hurries on 21 pass rush snaps.
His brother, Darryll, graded at 75.9 overall. Against the run, he earned a mark of 72.2. In pass protection, he received a grade of 75.1 with two quarterback hurries.
Rylan Kennedy tied Mandrell Desir for the second-highest grade on the team, also with 80.7. In addition to 82.6 grade against the run, Kennedy posted six quarterback pressures and one sack.
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Daniels Lyons earned a 76.4 overall grade, with 80.2 when stopping the run. On 25 pass-rush snaps, Lyons recorded three quarterback hurries.
Finally, Deante McCray recorded four quarterback pressures and one QB hit on 21 pass snaps, for a grade of 71.5.
With this momentum, the Seminoles have an opportunity to replicate their performance that took them to a 38-7 victory over Virginia , which included 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
The Florida State defense faces a Clemson team that is not good offensively.
Clemson ranks last in the league in passing offense at 187 yards per game. Their quarterbacks have thrown just two touchdown passes and five interceptions.
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Further, the Clemson passing attack has not found the end zone in each of the last three games, but has thrown four interceptions.
In addition, the Tigers have allowed 17 sacks this season, which puts them at No. 14 in the 17-team league.
That bodes well for an already motivated and inspired Florida State defensive line.
This Clemson team is a mere shell of its former self, when the Tigers posted double-digit win seasons for 12 consecutive years.
In front of the home crowd, Florida State must not let up on the pressure on Clemson's offensive line and their inexperienced quarterbacks.
Against the Tigers, the Seminoles' defensive line has an opportunity to be dominant once again this season in ACC play.
