CLEMSON, S.C. -- Longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who announced last week that he will retire at the end of this season, was honored by Clemson's coaches in a private ceremony Saturday night.

Before the game, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, associate head coach Brad Scott and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele presented Andrews with a helmet signed by the Tigers coaching staff and a football signed by the entire Clemson team.

A few years before he joined Bobby Bowden's staff at Florida State, Andrews was an assistant coach at Clemson from 1976-80.

Andrews is retiring after 26 seasons with the Seminoles. Scott and Steele also coached with Andrews earlier in their careers at Florida State.

PONDER IN NO RUSH

Though he is rising up the national passing rankings, Florida State junior quarterback Christian Ponder said he expects to return for the 2010 season.

Ponder, who entered Saturday's game ranked fifth nationally with 306.6 passing yards per game, said he won't give the NFL Draft much thought until after he receives his evaluation from the NFL underclassmen advisory committee in December or January.

``After the season, I'll take an evaluation and see what happens and make a decision after that,'' Ponder said. ``But I see myself playing here next year. We'll see what they say and what happens. There's a chance either way.''

If the evaluation is positive, FSU's coaches insist they won't pressure Ponder to stay.

``We would love to have Christian back, but [we want] whatever is best for Christian,'' offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said. ``I would never hold him back if that is what's best for him and his future and where he wanted to go. I would be the first one to [congratulate him]. That's what we are here for.''

If Ponder returns, Fisher said he believes the quarterback would be a Heisman Trophy candidate.

MANUEL WAITS HIS TURN

Redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel knew he would have to be patient this season, once Ponder held off his challenge during preseason practice.

But Manuel thought he might see a little more action than what he had through Florida State's first eight games.

With only one of those games being decided by more than 10 points, Manuel had only attempted two passes.

``Sometimes it's frustrating,'' Manuel said. ``But I've been taking these practices as seriously as possible. The reps that I do get, I try to take advantage of them to the fullest and try to learn from those.''

BACK IN ACTION

Senior defensive tackle Budd Thacker, who had missed Florida State's past two games with a sprained MCL, returned to action Saturday night and played in the first quarter.

Senior receiver Richard Goodman also returned to the field after missing two games. He was out with a pulled groin.

THIS AND THAT

• The two-point conversion scored in the second quarter was the first of Clemson tailback C.J. Spiller's career. The senior has scored touchdowns in just about every way imaginable -- on runs, receptions, punt returns and kick returns.

• FSU receiver Bert Reed's 44-yard catch in the second quarter was the longest reception of his career. His previous long was 34 yards.

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