This is the second in a series of Top 5s against Clemson that will lead up to the showdown in Death Valley this weekend.  We’ll look at great individual performances in the Clemson series today.  Again the results are from the jumbled and unscientific thoughts spilling from my head.

5) Derrick Brooks – ’93 (6 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 Fumble Recovery, 1 TD, 1 Blocked Punt, 2 PBU)

In a game that Florida State dominated from start to finish, Derrick Brooks stood out on defense among the offensive fireworks of the day.  The most memorable Brooks play on the day was a fierce solo hit at the goal line to deny a touchdown on 3rd down. The Noles would get the 4th down stop to preserve the shutout.  However, he had two plays that probably had a greater impact.  Early in the 2nd quarter, he blocked a Clemson punt that was recovered by Clifton Abraham for a touchdown.  Then in the 4th quarter, he scooped up a Clemson fumble and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown.

4) Greg Jones – ’02 (22-165 yds 3 TDs)

Greg Jones had a memorable performance in Florida State’s lone Thursday home game in history.  This was Jones at his best, a bruising, punishing running back with enough speed and quickness to leave the defender guessing.  He had two jaw dropping runs on this night. The first was a long 64 yarder that saw him break a couple tackles and set up a go ahead Seminole touchdown late in the first half.  The second was a ridiculous one man effort run that saw him break eight tackles in route to his 21 yard game sealing touchdown.

3) Chris Weinke – ’00 (27-43 521 yds 2 TDs)

This performance is most remembered for the 98 yard touchdown to Snoop Minnis on one of the greatest play action fakes of all time.  However, it was big play after big play for Weinke on this night.  Although he wasn’t the sharpest in this game completing just 62% of his passes, it was for an astounding 19 yards per completion.  Three different Seminole recievers went over 100 yards in this contest and running back Jeff Chaney had a 42 yard catch and run for a touchdown, too.  The 98 yard touchdown is tied for the longest pass play in Seminole History and the 521 yards are the 2nd most in a game.

2) E.J. Manuel – ’12 (27-35 380 yds 2 TDs and 11-102 yds)

This was the culmination of E.J. Manuel’s career and the game that Florida State fans had always hoped to see out of the talented quarterback.  In a near perfect performance, he became just the 2nd FSU quarterback to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game.  With the Noles down in the 2nd half, Manuel stepped up his game and completed his final 11 passes for 183 yards.  He gave the team the lead for good with 2:37 to go in the 3rd quarter when he found Rodney Smith for a 29 yard touchdown pass, one of the best throws of the night.

1) Peter Warrick – ’97 (8-249 yds 2 TDs, Punt returns: 4-123 yds 1 TD)

This was Peter Warrick’s coming out party to the nation.  After showing glimpses of what would be his immense talent, Warrick exploded at Clemson in 1997.  He made an amazing acrobatic catch for a 48 yard touchdown to put FSU up 21-14.  Then early in the 2nd half, he had a 90 yard punt return for a touchdown.  He capped off his day with a 80 yard touchdown reception that put the Noles up by two scores in the 4th quarter. His 249 receiving yards are 3rd all-time in FSU history and his 90 yard punt return is the 2nd longest in FSU history.

Honorable Mention:

Warrick Dunn – ’94 (17-133 yds 2 TDs)

Warrick Dunn – ’95 (12-180 yds 2 TDs)

Corey Simon – ’99 (10 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Sack)

Greg Jones – ’01 (17-160 yds 1 TD)