FSU football: Noles have to slow down Clemson RB Will Shipley

FSU football is preparing to take on the Clemson Tigers in the hostile environment of Death Valley on Saturday, September 23rd, at noon EST on ABC.

Beating the Tigers will be a difficult task for the Seminoles to accomplish, but we have already witnessed that head football coach Dabo Swinney lose to the Duke Blue Devils in their season opener by a score of 28-7.

Head football coach Mike Norvell and his football team are ready to compete with the likes of Clemson, who have won the ACC seven out of the last eight years.

However, to accomplish that feat, the Seminoles’ defensive unit will have to contain the likes of Clemson’s do-it-all running back Will Shipley.

In the Seminoles’ 34-28 loss to the Tigers last season, the talented back recorded 20 carries for 121 yards, which included an 11-yard gain in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

Unfortunately, Florida State still did not have their star defensive tackle, Fabien Lovett Sr., who was still recovering from an injury that he suffered in the fourth quarter of the 2022 season opener against the LSU Tigers.

Fast forward to the 2023 season, the Seminoles’ defensive unit now has the likes of the former Mississippi State transfer in their lineup for Saturday’s contest. It looks as though the coaching staff was taking precautions to his snap count in anticipation of this pivotal matchup.

FSU will need every bit of it as they look to make a statement to the college football world. Just like last season, Shipley has been utilized effectively, where he has accumulated 36 rushing attempts for 225 yards this season.

With a younger quarterback in Cade Klubnik, they will likely have to rely on the veteran Shipley to ensure that the offense continues to move the chains. The Seminoles’ defense will have to remain focused on the task at hand, which includes not missing tackles in the open field that can turn into big plays.