FSU football: Impact players versus the Clemson Tigers

DT Fabien Lovett Sr.

As most of the fans know, the Seminoles were without the likes of ultra-talented defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr. for a majority of the season after he suffered an injury late in the 2022 season opener against the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately, the Seminoles’ defense struggled to control the line of scrimmage, which created running lanes for opposing backs to be successful.

Lovett Sr. has only recorded three tackles thus far through three games in 2023. It almost looks like the coaching staff wanted to save him for one of the biggest games of the year (in this matchup against Clemson).

Especially against a football team that has a quarterback in Cade Klubnik, who does not throw the ball downfield a ton. Plus, they like to establish the run with their do-it-all running back, Will Shipley. This could be a great strategy that pays off hugely for a defense that is looking to assert its dominance early and often.

In the 2022 matchup against Clemson, running back Will Shipley had himself a game where he had 20 carries for 121 yards. Shipley is the engine that runs the Tigers’ offensive system. If the Seminoles can have Lovett Sr., Fiske, Farmer, and others clog up the interior and force the talented back to force it to the outside then FSU has an opportunity to be very successful on Saturday afternoon.