Redempion for Dustin Hopkins

It's amazing how sweet redemption can be. Especially if you're Dustin Hopkins. Exactly one week after he took majority of the blame for the loss against North Carolina, Dustin Hopkins became the hero against Clemson. As time expired in the 4th quarter, Hopkins drilled a game winning 55-yard field goal that could have been good from another 10 yards away.

Hopkins setting up for the game winning kick. Photo by Chris Alford

In a game which Christian Ponder was sidelined due to his elbow injury, E.J Manuel and the FSU offense got off to a slow start and were held to just 3 points in the first half. Clemson entered the game as one of the top defenses in the conference and they certainly lived up to that. The Tigers led 10-3 after a low scoring first half.

However, the Seminole's offense showed a little more life in the second half of the game. E.J Manuel was pretty successful running the option throughout the game and it eventually led to the first FSU touchdown of the game in the 4th quarter. The 'Noles took a 13-10 lead but with just under a minute left in the ballgame, Clemson hit a fieldgoal to tie it up at 13-13.

Put into a similar situation as last weekend, the Seminoles had less than a minute to make a game-winning score. The only difference this time was that the game was all tied up. This proved to be helpful for Hopkins as it took off some of the pressure. With just 3 seconds remaining in the game, Hopkins lined up for a career long 55-yard field goal attempt. The kick was accurate and certainly far enough to give the Seminoles a huge win against division rival Clemson. The team stormed the field following the game in celebration. It was sweet redemption for sophomore kicker Dustin Hopkins.