Clemson Football: 5 underrated moments from the Fiesta Bowl victory

The Clemson football team defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl. Here’s a look at five underrated moments from the victory.

The Clemson football team came away with a thrilling 29-23 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl.

Though the Tigers struggled out of the gate, falling behind 16-0, they never gave up and continued to fight.

We’ve heard analysts talk extensively over the course of the last few days about the big plays- such as Trevor Lawrence’s 67-yard touchdown run, the ‘jump-pass’ to take the lead, and Nolan Turner’s game-winning interception- but let’s take a look at five of the most underrated moments of the night for Clemson.

5. Baylon Spector’s sacks

Baylon Spector was inserted into the game for Clemson to provide more speed for the Tigers. He was used primarily as a QB spy and a way for the Tigers to still have size on the field with more mobile bodies.

He came through with two big sacks- the first two of his career- in key moments to keep the Tiger defense going.

Spector’s first sack came on the possession following Clemson taking the lead. The Tigers were up 21-16 when he came away with a sack on a 3rd down and 8 for Ohio State. Spector later added one in the fourth quarter.

Though these weren’t huge momentum-shifters, they were plays that kept the Tigers in the game and that’s a testament to Spector’s performance Saturday evening.

4. Targeting on Trevor Lawrence

Here’s a play that has been talked about in-depth, but I don’t think Clemson football fans realize the magnitude of this particular moment.

The Tigers hadn’t been able to get much of anything going offensively to this point in the game. Clemson was already trailing 16-0 and it looked as if another punt was coming.

That’s when Ohio State DB Shaun Wade ducked his head and led with the crown of his helmet, resulting in a targeting. And yes, that was the correct call.

Lawrence iterated after the game that he got angry when he saw that Ohio State thought they had knocked him out of the game.

The resurgence gave Clemson new life and that’s all that needs to be said.

3. Will Spiers, in general

The performance that Will Spiers gave, especially in the first half, is one of the most underrated aspects of this game without a doubt.

Spiers punted seven times for an average of 44.9 yards per punt and had five punts downed inside the 20.

Backing Ohio State up gave Clemson’s defense an opportunity to stop the Buckeyes and the changes in field position may very well have been the difference between Ohio State scoring touchdowns on those possessions where they settled for field goals.

Spiers was also roughed on a punt in the third quarter, that resulted in Clemson getting the ball back and scoring a touchdown.

Though many overlook the punting game, Will Spiers is one of the unsung heroes for the Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl.

2. Chad Smith’s big 3rd down play

You may not remember this play in particular, but it one of those game-savers that were absolutely important for the Tigers winning this game.

Ohio State took the lead with a little more than 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter and then the Buckeyes got the ball back with 9:59 left in the fourth. The Buckeyes would go on a drive that would take up 6:52 on the clock before ultimately having to punt the ball back to the Tigers, pinning Clemson inside its own 10-yard line.

One of the single-biggest plays of the game came with 4:15 remaining. Ohio State was facing a 3rd-and-5 from the Clemson 40-yard line. If the Buckeyes got the first down there, they would have the opportunity to run off potentially up to two more minutes off the clock, maybe more.

Justin Fields threw a tunnel screen to Austin Mack and Ohio State had blockers out in front. For just a second, you can see a hole that looks as if Mack could break it off for more than just the first down, but Chad Smith evaded a blocker and made the tackle, forcing the Buckeyes to punt and give the ball back to Trevor Lawrence for one final drive.

Smith had several plays like that during the game, but no tackle was bigger than that one in that spot when the Tigers needed it most.

1. Tanner Muse shoestring tackle

If you’ve watched the game back at all, you’ve noticed what probably was the most underrated play in the entire game.

J.K. Dobbins had already broken off one big run for a touchdown and it looked as if he was going have another.

That’s when Tanner Muse chased the All-American from behind and came away with a shoestring tackle inside the Clemson 10-yard line.

Ohio State was already up 10-0 and would’ve gone up 17-0 before the end of the first quarter had it not been for Muse’s hustle.

Instead, he made the tackles and the Buckeyes eventually were forced to kick a field goal.

Though that play wasn’t regarded so highly in the moment, looking back shows just how important it was that Muse didn’t give up and made what very well could be considered a game-saving tackle in the first quarter.