Clemson Wins 3rd Straight Bowden Bowl

Clemson's James Davis (1) runs in for the touchdown against Florida State's Myron Rolle (3) as he tries to hold onto his jersey during the first quarter in a college football game, Monday Sept. 3, 2007, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain) (Mary Ann Chastain - AP)

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Florida State. First start at sold-out Death Valley. National TV. Nervous? Not Clemson's new quarterback.

"I think I've been more nervous as a backup before," Cullen Harper said.

He's probably never smiled like this, either. Harper threw two touchdowns in Clemson's 24-18 victory over the Seminoles on Monday night.

It was coach Tommy Bowden's third straight victory over his father, Bobby, and the Seminoles _ and it took away some bad feelings that lingered all offseason after Clemson opened 7-1 and finished last season losing four of five.

"It's huge," Harper said. "It definitely helps everybody's confidence."

Harper was a big reason why. He played like a polished veteran rather than a redshirt junior who barely played the past two seasons.

"He had a lot of anxiety built up, but I thought he did a really good job," Tommy Bowden said.

Speaking of anxiety, it can't be an easy time for Bobby Bowden or his flashy new offensive staff.

After Bowden's son Jeff resigned as offensive coordinator, Bobby hired Jimbo Fisher from LSU along with three more assistants on offense to retool Florida State's tired attack.

Instead, the Seminoles looked more inept than ever. They had one first down and 62 yards. They were 0-of-9 on third downs and punted eight times on the way to trailing 24-3.

"I've never been around a first half of football like that," first-year Seminoles offensive line coach Rick Trickett said.

"The first half was the worst half I've seen us play," Bobby Bowden said.