No Luck Necessary: Clemson cruises past Notre Dame, advances to National Title
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Clemson is headed back to the National Championship Game.
The Tigers will make their third appearance in four seasons in college football’s title game as they await the winner of tonight’s matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
The Tigers, whose arrival in AT&T Stadium, was met by a chorus of boos from the large contingent of Notre Dame fans in attendance, dominated the Fighting Irish, who were appearing in their first-ever College Football Playoff, 30-3.
The second-ranked Tigers exploded in the second quarter for 261 yards and 20 points after a slow start. By the end of the first half, it was the Clemson faithful that were all cheers, leading 23-3 at the break.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished 27 of 39 passing for 327 yards with three touchdowns. Fellow freshman wideout Justyn Ross had a big game as well bringing in six receptions for 148 yards and two scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers were tough throughout the contest. As for Albert Huggins, filling in for the suspended Dexter Lawrence, he forced a fumble on the second play of the game, proving that the Tiger defense wouldn’t suffer minus the All-American defensive tackle. Clemson wasn’t able to recover the ball, but it wouldn’t be long before the defensive line would impact the game.
After a quick exchange to punts to open the game, the Irish had the football back at midfield, but Clelin Ferrell hit Ian Book, forcing the ball loose, before recovering the ball and stealing an early opportunity from Notre Dame. The Tigers took over and promptly marched 31 yards on nine plays before Greg Huegel knocked through a 40-yard field goal giving Clemson an early 3-0 lead.
With the made kick, it was the tenth time this season that Clemson scored first in the contest and with the Tigers are now 37-0 when scoring first since 2015.
Notre Dame answered on their next possession moving 66 yards on ten plays before Justin Yoon hit a 28-yard field goal tying the game 3-3 with 4:31 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kick return, Derion Kendrick fumbled the football, and as the ball bounced towards the sideline, it was hit back into the field of play and recovered by the Irish. After a review, the officials ruled that the football hit out of bounds, sparing Clemson from what looked to be a sure scoring opportunity for Notre Dame.
The Tigers couldn’t do anything with what felt like an extra opportunity and punted the football back to the Irish with several minutes left in the first quarter.
Quarterback Ian Book led the Irish deep into Clemson territory, but a failed fourth down conversion after Isaiah Simmons broke up a deep pass attempt. That play gave Clemson the football at the 35-yard line, and the Tiger offense went back to work.
On the third snap of the series, Lawrence hooked up with fellow freshman Justyn Ross who fought off an Irish defender, then raced 20 yards to paydirt. Huegel’s extra point attempt was blocked, but the Tigers secured a 9-3 lead with 12:50 left in the first half.
Clemson’s defense forced another quick punt, allowing the offense to go back to work from their own 23-yard line. During a ten play drive, the Tigers converted on two key third downs, including a 34-yard strike to Ross on third-and-seven but failed to score as a 49-yard kick from Huegel hooked wide left.
Following another lackluster drive from Notre Dame, Lawrence and Ross hooked up again for a second score. Facing third-and-14 Ross broke free down the middle of the field, and Lawrence delivered a strike for their second touchdown of the game and a 16-3 lead with 3:12 left before the half.
Clemson would strike one final time before the break as Lawrence found Hunter Renfrow for a 32-yard reception. During the play, Notre Dame defensive lineman, Jerry Tillery delivered an incredibly late hit on the freshman from Cartersville, Georgia. After tacking on the 15-yard penalty, Tee Higgins snagged an impressive 19-yard, one-handed grab, in the back of the end zone, giving Clemson a 23-3 lead with just two seconds left in the half.
The second half started slowly for the Clemson offense, but the defense continued to dominate as Brian Kelly’s offense found little room to work.
With 3:05 left in the third quarter, Nolan Turner picked off a Book pass giving Clemson the football near midfield. Three plays later, Travis Etienne broke off a 62-yard sprint to paydirt for a 30-3 lead with 2:04 left in the third quarter. On the run, Etienne broke Wayne Gallman’s single-season rushing mark.
The sophomore from Jennings, Louisiana, finished with 109 yards on just 14 carries with a score.
After Etienne’s long run, the two teams seemed content from that point forward to let the clock run, as Clemson fans celebrated their first Cotton Bowl win since 1940.