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FSU Football: How did #Tribe19 do against Clemson?

By Sam Tschida

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Brendan Gant #44 of the Florida State Seminoles tries to stop Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Brendan Gant #44 of the Florida State Seminoles tries to stop Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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After FSU football’s loss against Clemson on Saturday, Chop Chat’s Sam Tschida takes a look at how the true freshmen played against the Tigers.

A disappointing but unsurprising loss against Clemson on Saturday dropped FSU Football to 3-3 for the season. With the game well in hand by the third quarter, a lot of young guys, especially the group from Tribe 19, got actually game reps. Let’s break down how they did.

Offense

Dontae Lucas was the only true freshman to receive any playing time on offense, and like the rest of the o-line, it wasn’t his best day. Up until the Clemson game, Lucas had been the highest-graded lineman on the team according to PFF, averaging a 64.8 grade per game. It’s a great sign for the future that a true freshman is the best o-lineman, but pretty indicative of the current state of the line.

Lucas did get the start at right guard over Mike Arnold for the first time since the Virginia game. The Pro Football Focus grades have not come out yet, but it’s safe to say that no one on the offensive line will receive a good grade. The Clemson defense allowed just 253 yards of offense, most of which was allowed by their second team during the 4th quarter.

It wasn’t a surprise that Lucas looked overmatched; any true freshman going against that Clemson defense would be. While not great for the present, it is important for the future, and this will only help the Pope become a better player.

Defense

Since the game was basically over by the 3rd quarter, a ton of true freshmen got reps against the Tigers.

The secondary saw a ton of true freshmen get snaps. Akeem Dent got the start at strong safety and wasn’t bad. He recorded five total tackles, four of which were solo. Dent also recorded a pass breakup and made a good play right here.

Travis Etienne goes through a gigantic hole, and with no linebacker help, the safeties have to step up. Dent goes low and makes a ‘Seahawk tackle’ on the running back, preventing a touchdown. Dent also had a major tackle in the red zone during the second quarter, and it seems every week Dent gets better and better.

Defensive backs Renardo Green and Jarvis Brownlee each recorded stats, with Brownlee getting a tackle and Green recording two pass breakups. Raymond Woodie III once again only saw the field on special teams, as did Brendan Gant.

In the front seven, Tru Thompson once again saw playing time, recording two tackles. Jaleel McRae didn’t get the start at linebacker but also saw a decent amount of playing time and got one stop. Defensive end Derrick McLendon got snaps late in the game against Clemson’s backups and held his own, but didn’t record any stats.

Bottom Line

The result was expected, and it’s on to Wake Forest to build momentum for a bowl game next week. The one positive many should take from this game is the fact the team never quit, especially the young guys. They didn’t always make the best play, but they sure gave their best, and that’s all you can ask out of this team right now.

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