Clemson Football: Top 5 moments in Cotton Bowl win over Notre Dame

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs for a 62 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

5. The Exclamation point

With just 2:04 left in the third quarter, the Tigers were already up 23-3 over Notre Dame and were in clear control of the game.

But Travis Etienne provided the exclamation point.

The sophomore, who had been shut down for the majority of the game, blasted off for a 62-yard scamper in which he high-stepped into the end zone.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1079165197825310720

It was at that moment that most fans- even the most pessimistic Clemson fans and most optimistic Notre Dame fans- knew the Tigers were heading to Santa Clara.

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