The Tigers went into South Bend hoping to defend their No. 1 ranking against the No. 4 ranked Fighting Irish and found out from the start that it would be a true battle when Notre Dame took a 10-0 lead right out of the gate.
The Tigers, for the second straight week, had to make a double digit point come back but weren’t able to get the win in double overtime against Notre Dame.
- The Clemson defense stepped up on Notre Dame’s second and third drives only allowing two field goals. Especially on the second when it looked like they would go up 14-0. The defense really wasn’t as bas as some will make out. By the end they just did not have the bodies. But if not for the defense holding ND to field goals, this one gets ugly quick.
- D.J. Uiagalelei came out and did not let the moment be to big for him. He played well enough to win and desreved to win. He ended the night with over 400 yards and two touchdowns through the air along with one on the ground in just his second college start.
- The turn over bug hit Clemson again in the first half and it wasn’t good as it put the defense in really bad positions.
- Jake Venables had an awesome effort play that caused a fumble by Notre Dame QB Ian Book into the end zone that ended the second of only two drives they had in the third quarter. But he also got burned multiple times defending the run, taking terrible angles.
- Cornell Powell had another good night with 161 yards on six receptions and one touchdown. Amari Rodgers also had another huge night with 134 yards on eight receptions.
Travis Etienne did not have a good night. 33 yards on 17 carries, which isn’t all on him but for the fourth straight game fumbled, and again this one was returned for a touchdown. Then goes out of bounds to stop the clock on the final possession of OT. - The offensive line was flat out whipped tonight. No room to run the ball and then on then on one of the biggest plays, lets a guy come through almost untouched on the final possession in double OT. This group is not elite when it comes to run blocking, period.
- Bottom line, at some point a team can only sustain so many injuries before it becomes problematic. That happened tonight. The Tigers can beat bad ACC teams shorthanded, but not top five competition and on the road at that. No excuses, Notre Dame came to win and deserved to win. It is what it is.
- Once again this team showed what it is made up, getting off the mat and coming back. Would have liked to put it away in regulation but there’s no questioning the “want to” of those kids.
- Let’s do it again in a month, when both teams are at full strength. See you in Charlotte Notre Dame.
Former Clemson Tiger Terrence Oglesby has a new ACC Basketball Preview out now available for purchase. Click here to order your copy today. Use the coupon code “clemsonjunkies” for 10% of of your purchase! Also be sure to check out his weekly Let It Fly show on Facebook or Twitter!
