The Clemson football team defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl. Here are some studs and duds from the win.
The Clemson football program improved its impressive winning streak to 29 games with a victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl.
Here’s a look at some studs and duds from the 29-23 victory over the Buckeyes.
Studs
The ‘Heart of a Champion’
If you watched the game, the ultimate ‘stud’ from this game has to be the heart that Clemson football played with.
The Tigers were down early. Ohio State came out clicking on all cylinders and Clemson struggled to get anything going. Even when they were down 16-0- and it very well could’ve been more- the team didn’t give up. They continued to fight.
The heart that this Tiger team played with was absolutely prevalent as the game progressed. Clemson exchanged blows throughout the night with the Buckeyes before ultimately coming up with the plays needed to win the game.
The Legendary Drive
Speaking of plays to win the game, how about that last offensive drive of the game for the Tigers?
Ohio State took a 23-21 lead with a little more than 11 minutes remaining in the game. The Buckeyes got a stop and then held onto the ball for more than six minutes. When Ohio State finally did punt the ball, just 3:07 remained on the clock and Clemson was backed up at its own six-yard line.
It took the Tigers just four plays to drive 94 yards and punch the ball into the end zone. Clemson converted on the two-point attempt and ultimately came away with the win.
More Studs
Trevor Lawrence
People can say whatever they want to about Trevor Lawrence, but he proved Saturday night that he deserves every bit of hype that he’s received over the course of his Clemson football career.
Lawrence earned Offensive MVP Honors, throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing 16 times for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Lawrence had the huge 67-yard run that brought the Tigers within two points late in the first half and was the key component to lead Clemson down the field on that legendary drive with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
Nolan Turner’s redemption
Nolan Turner was beaten on a few occasions throughout the night against Ohio State. The most prevalent bust came in the fourth quarter when the Buckeyes went for it on fourth down. Chris Olave broke away from Turner, who was likely expecting a run, and Ohio State scored a touchdown, taking the lead.
Dabo Swinney told Turner not to hang his head after Clemson answered with a touchdown of its own with less than two minutes remaining and told him that he’d come away with the game-winning interception.
That’s exactly what happened.
Ohio State drove down to Clemson’s 23-yard line, but Turner intercepted Fields in the end zone and clinched the ballgame.
Will Spiers
Will Spiers has to be given credit for what he did Saturday night.
In many ways, Spiers kept Clemson football in the game with his ability to flip the field. He punted seven times for an average of 44.9 yards per punt with five punts downed inside the 20-yard line and three punts of 50 yards or more.
Travis Etienne’s toughness
Travis Etienne didn’t quite have the day on the ground that many wanted him to, but he still came through with some tough yardage- especially in the receiving game.
Etienne rushed 10 times for just 36 yards and a touchdown, but he also had three catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score. Etienne was a major factor for the Tigers in the receiving game and he showed great toughness after taking a few bigtime hits throughout the game.
Chad Smith
Chad Smith earned Defensive MVP Honors after he totaled 12 tackles and a 0.5 tackle for loss. Not only was Smith all over the field, he made what may be the most underappreciated play of the game.
As Ohio State was driving late in the fourth quarter- running down the clock- Smith made a play in space to keep the Buckeyes from converting on third down, resulting in a punt.
Without his tackle, OSU gets the first down and they are able to move deeper into Clemson territory and burn more clock.
Duds
Early miscues
Honestly, the whole first quarter and much of the second quarter could be considered a dud. The offensive line was dominated by OSU’s defensive line for much of the first half and the Tigers weren’t able to stop the Buckeyes from progressing down the field, though they held strong in the red zone.
The result was Clemson falling behind 16-0- which could’ve been more- before finally making a few momentum-shifting plays to get back in the game.
Dropped interceptions
One of the biggest duds from the game has to be the dropped interceptions by the Clemson defense.
Though Nolan Turner made the play when it mattered most, the Tigers could’ve created momentum for themselves much earlier had they not dropped interceptions.
Looking back at the film, we counted at least three interceptions dropped by the defense and one that would’ve basically been a pick-six had the play been made.
The aftermath nonsense
The unfortunate aspect of this game has to do with the storylines coming out of it. Instead of this being considered a College Football classic- which it was- many Ohio State fans and Clemson haters have banned together to attempt to blame the officiating for the loss, which is a total weak move.
The Buckeyes had plenty of chances to win the game and, instead, it was Clemson that made the plays when it mattered most.
This was a battle of two great teams and the Tigers came away with the win. That should be the storyline.