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The Tigers came into their semifinal game as a touchdown favorite and it started out really well with Clemson scoring touchdowns on two of their first three possessions. After jumping up 14-7, the Buckeyes then scored 28 unanswered points and took a 35-14 lead into halftime. Clemson was able to get an interception in the end zone on Ohio State’s first drive of the third quarter and then drove it 80 yards for a touchdown that cut the lead to 14 but that’s as close as they would get from that point on losing 49-28.
- Clemson got smacked in the mouth by the Buckeyes who were the better team in this game and it really wasn’t even close.
- The game was won in the trenches and the Tigers got manhandled by Ohio State’s lines on both sides of the ball. The Clemson offensive line had been criticized by some this season so this happening really wouldn’t surprise a lot of people but the way the defensive line got beaten was. Especially considering Ohio State was one of the worst FBS teams when it came to pass protection.
- Brent Venables got outcoached. There is just no other way around it. Ryan Day was two steps ahead of him pretty much all night long.
- After the second drive of the first half it was as if Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers offense got out of sync and they looked that way for the remainder of the game. The Buckeyes adjusted after the first two Clemson touchdowns and the Tigers never looked the same.
- The Clemson defense seemed to be a step behind the Buckeyes offense the entire game while the defensive backs got beaten up and down the field all night long.
- They also had no answer for Ohio State RB Trey Sermon who finished with 193 yards on 31 carries. It has been awhile since a Clemson defense got run on like that.
- Just before the Tiger defense was able to get safety Nolan Turner back they lost their heart and soul, linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for a targeting call after his hit on Justin Fields. Fields would later on that drive throw touchdown pass to WR Chris Olave to put them up by 21 points. It was a major turning point in the game. Clemson had the Buckeyes stopped but the penalty gave them new life and they made the Tigers pay.
- Many have questioned whether or not Lawrence would be back for next season but it’s pretty much a sure thing he is not coming back. He will end his college career with a 34-2 overall record, with both losses coming in the Superdome and in the playoff. In his finale he was 33 of 48 for 400 yards, two TDs, and one interception. He also put the ball on the ground three different times.
- Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney was already having to answer questions about him putting Ohio State at No. 11 in his final coaches poll and he stood by his decision and reasoning for why he did that. He also reminded people he also said they were good enough to beat them and win it all earlier in the week. However, looking back, maybe it didn’t need to get talked about quite so much over the past two weeks.
- Travis Etienne once again was virtually nonexistent. He finished with 32 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground. He also had 64 yards on 4 catches but Etienne just wasn’t much of a factor once the team was forced to start playing catch-up.
- The Sugar Bowl has not been friendly to Swinney or the Tigers of late. The last three trips there now have ended with the Tigers being on the losing end of blowouts. In 2017 to Bama, 2019 to LSU and 2020 to Ohio State. Can someone find that voodoo doll and just burn it?
