President Richard McCullough might have to write another statement.

A turbulent season took a turn for the worse as Florida State, a five-point favorite, was undone by Ashton Daniels’ four turnovers and Clemson capitalized en route to a 36-24 victory on Saturday night inside Doak Campbell Stadium. It was the most points the Tigers have scored against a Power 4 defense this season.

Even with FSU trailing 26-10 in the third quarter, Daniels fumbled deep in Clemson territory. Daniels led a late rally with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the Seminoles fell short with another interception late in the fourth quarter.

Tait Reynolds’ 79-yard touchdown run on third-and-12 with 3:17 to go sealed it up for Clemson.

The Seminoles (3-5, 1-4 ACC) looked to make a statement in their return home after defeats at Louisville and Miami. Instead, they dropped their third straight game and now back-to-back games against rivals.

Clemson (5-3, 3-2) won for the third straight time in the series.

“Extremely disappointed with the result,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “I had high expectations for how we would come out and play. But absolutely did not play to the standard of our expectations.”

Daniels’ first-half interceptions led to a Clemson touchdown and a field goal, and he also had a third-quarter fumble and a fourth-quarter interception. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 350 yards, a 46-yard touchdown pass to Micahi Danzy, a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jasen Lopez and added a 13-yard touchdown run.

His three turnovers matched his three from the loss at Alabama on Sept. 19.

Conversely, Reynolds was under pressure but productive. Reynolds didn’t have a touchdown pass in four games, dating to Sept. 19, but he had two in the first half against FSU’s dreadful defense.

Clemson led 23-10 at the half, just five points short of the Tigers’ season high 28 points vs. a Power 4 defense in a win over North Carolina.

FSU officials promoted the game as “Operation Garnet Storm,” and they delivered with an electric halftime drone show, in-game events that honored Peter Warrick and members of the military as well as the Marching Chiefs’ performance of “Thriller.” They spelled out “Happy Halloween” to finish the performance.

But the football team’s performance wasn’t much of a treat despite the late rally. FSU managed just 127 yards on the first eight drives and the defense pressured Reynolds but gave up far too many points.

FSU’s defense delivered a poor effort against a struggling Clemson offense, one that raises questions about not just Norvell’s future but also Tony White’s as the defensive coordinator.

Norvell is now 41-39 in his seventh season at FSU. As the calendar turns to November, the Seminoles have four games left to bounce back.

Injury report

Defensive lineman Deante McCray left the game with help from trainers in the second quarter after suffering what appeared to be a left ankle injury.

FSU was shorthanded in the secondary with Quindarrius Jones and K.J. Kirkland out. Kirkland was questionable to play and then was not dressed out.

Receiver Duce Robinson missed most of the second half as he stood on the sideline and watched. Trainers had taken away his helmet.

“At halftime, after he had gotten checked out, we knew that he wouldn’t be back in the game,” Norvell said. “Obviously, there will be a little bit of a process as we get into this next week.”

Tre Wisner also left the game with an injury. Wisner had 13 carries for 43 yards, the majority of FSU’s 65 rushing yards (on 13 carries).

Clemson starting left guard Elyjah Thurmon laid on the grass on his side for a few minutes before medics and trainers were able to turn him and put Thurmon on a cart to take him to the hospital.

Freshman steps in

Amari Thomas had just one carry for a yard, but he added three receptions for 34 yards.

Novell idea

FSU fans paid for a banner to be flown over Doak pregame. But the banner instead created comic value when it read “FIRE MIKE NOVELL - PETER COLLINS.” Spelling Norvell wrong wasn’t the plan, although the missed spelling got the banner a considerable amount of social media engagement.

Coming up

FSU plays at Boston College on Nov. 7 at noon (ACC Network). The Eagles were routed by Duke 47-2 on Saturday afternoon.

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