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Sports

Clemson Spikes Ball on Third Down, Has to Settle for Field Goal

Clemson spiked the ball on third down as they were looking to score a touchdown, so they had to settle for a field goal.

Clemson had something cooking at the end of the first half against Florida State and then Deshaun Watson spiked the ball on the Seminoles seven-yard line on third-and-three. That's a problem because fourth down is next and unless you score or get a first down, you're out of downs. Clemson still had a timeout to use, and with 33 seconds left on the clock, they had a world of options, but on fourth down, they had to take the sure points. Obviously Watson had some kind of brain cramp, forgetting the downs. Watching him interact with Dabo Swinney, it looks like maybe signals got crossed as they tried to work in the hurry up.

Whatever the case, Clemson drove 75 yards in 55 seconds, preserving one timeout, and could have tied the game. Instead they had to settle for a field goal and a 10-6 score at halftime.

Dabo Swinney was clearly perplexed and distraught by the scene, but he's going to be really upset if those (potential!) four points they left out there come back to bite them at the end of the game.

[ABC]