FSU couldn't stop C.J. Spiller Saturday night.

Seminoles take lead into fourth quarter but can't earn the win over the Tigers.

Nov. 7, 2009

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CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Florida State football team's two-game winning streak has come to an end.

The Seminoles (4-5, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell 40-24 on the road at Clemson (6-3, 4-2) Saturday night in a contest that was close all game until the final quarter.

FSU boasted a 24-21 advantage heading into the final period of play but a stout Tiger defense -- run by former FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele -- and an offensive explosion helped Clemson run away with the win and into the driver's seat of the ACC's Atlantic Division.

Clemson entered the conference showdown with the nation's fifth-ranked pass defense and it showed against a Florida State passing attack that ranked ninth in the nation. The Tigers forced Seminoes quarterback Christian Ponder into a career-high four interceptions.

On offense, Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller was unstoppable as he rushed for a career-best 185 yards and one score.

As for Ponder, he finished the night 21-of-33 for 264 yards and just one score.

Jermaine Thomas rushed for over 100 yards for the second straight game for the 'Noles. The Jacksonville, Fla. native accrued 119 yards on 26 carries and had one score. Rod Owens led the FSU receivers with nine grabs for 77 yards.

Tigers quarterback Kyle Parker tossed four touchdowns.

Florida State started the scoring Saturday night under the bright lights with Dustin Hopkins 35-yard field goal in the first quarter after a big punt return by fellow true freshman Greg Reid.

It didn't take Clemson long to get its first score as Dwayne Allen snagged an 18-yard scoring pass from Parker but the Tigers missed the extra point.

Down by three points, a nifty Seminole play on the team's next possession swung the game back in favor of the visiting team. On the play, Ponder faked a handoff, then faked a reverse and then finally connected with true freshman Lonnie Pryor for the first-year player's first-ever touchdown reception. The 49-yard scoring pass gave the 'Noles a 10-6 lead late in the first quarter.

Jamie Robinson Interview Jermaine Thomas Interview Jimbo Fisher Interview Lonnie Pryor Interview

The exciting offensive play was then followed up by an equally thrilling defensive one when senior rover Jamie Robinson took his third interception of the season 52 yards to pay dirt, increasing the FSU lead to 17-6.

After FSU backup tailback Chris Thompson fumbled the football a few minutes later, Clemson made the miscue hurt even more. Two plays after the Seminole turnover, Parker connected with Xavier Dye on a 43-yard touchdown pass and then Spiller scampered in on the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 17-14.

On Florida State's ensuing drive, Ponder was intercepted for the first time of the evening and it looked like Clemson was going to use the takeaway to then take the lead. But Markus White's forced fumble on Parker and recovery by Dekoda Watson after the Tigers had marched down the field and into the redzone kept the 'Noles on top.

Spiller gave Clemson its first lead of the ballgame when he nabbed a swing-pass out of the backfield and took it 58 yards for the go-ahead score after both team's emerged from the locker room at halftime.

Down 21-17, Thomas plunged across the goal line with 5:04 left in the third quarter to regain the Seminole lead. Thomas' dive into the endzone capped an impressive FSU drive that saw Ponder and the offense convert several difficult third downs.

Unfortunately for the 'Noles, that score would be the last feel-good moment of the night.

The Tigers got a nine-yard touchdown run from Andre Ellington, a two-yard touchdown reception from Durrell Berry and a five-yard run by Spiller in the final 10 minutes of the fourth quarter.

FSU will be in the road again next weekend. The Seminoles play at Wake Forest on Saturday and that game time will be announced on Sunday.