The Clemson Tigers started the game off slow but their defense and in-game adjustments helped them secure a 29-23 victory over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. The defending national champions started the game down 16-0 and things did not look good.
Defensively, the Tigers had three red zone stops in the first half and forced the Buckeyes to settle for 3 field goals. They also picked off Justin Fields twice, including one by Nolan Turner in their own end zone on the final drive of the game. Fields went into the game with a 40 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio.
Chad Smith led Clemson’s defense with 12 tackles. Derion Kendrick and James Skalski finished the game with 9 tackles each.
TIGERS’ OFFENSE COMES THROUGH
On Offense, sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 18-of-33 passes for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. Travis Etienne led Clemson in receiving with three receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another one.
Lawrence had a big game, scrambling out of the pocket and in the read-option offense. He rushed for 107 yards on 16 carries including a huge 67-yard touchdown run to cut Ohio State’s lead down to 16-14 before halftime.
THE DRIVE
The biggest drive of the game came with 3:07 left in the 4th quarter with Clemson down 23-21. Lawrence drove his team 94 yards on 4 plays and capped it off with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Etienne. The Tigers went for two and Lawrence connected with Tee Higgins to put Clemson up 29-23 with under 2 minutes left in the game.
Ohio State got the ball back with 1:49 and one last drive to go for the win. Justin Fields did well completing 4 out of 5 passes and got the Buckeyes down to the Clemson 23 yard line. On 2nd down and 7 with :43 left, Chris Olave ran a corner route and Fields threw a post route and the miscommunication led to a Clemson interception and victory.
Even though Clemson won the national championship last year and were 13-0 going into this game, the media and football fans across the country have doubted the Tigers. This game showed they are fighters that play with a lot of heart and never give up after being down by 16.
LSU IS ON DECK
Dabo Sweeney likes the underdog role and uses it to motivate his players. They already know no one expects them to win against LSU. When the odds are against Clemson, it is when they are at their best and have proven they have the ability to rise above the favored opponent.
The win extended Clemson’s nation’s best 29-game winning streak and sets up a showdown against No.1 LSU on January 13 at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
