Clemson Football: 5 ‘firework’ finishes of the Dabo Swinney era

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 3: Fireworks go off at Memorial Stadium prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 3, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 3: Fireworks go off at Memorial Stadium prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 3, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 29-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 29-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

4. Ohio State (2019 Playstation Fiesta Bowl)

Clemson seemed down-and-out for the majority of the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in this previous season’s showdown in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl.

The Tigers trailed 16-0 and were in danger of letting things get completely out of hand before they finally settled in. They were very fortunate to enter halftime trailing just 16-14.

The second half was an absolute battle.

Clemson put up a touchdown on a 54-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence to Travis Etienne with 7:54 remaining in the third quarter to take its first lead of the game, at 21-16. But Ohio State wouldn’t stop.

The Buckeyes answered with a touchdown of their own with 11:46 remaining in the game and it seemed like momentum was squarely in OSU’s favor.

Clemson got the ball back with one final chance, pinned inside its 10-yard line with less than three minutes to go. Trevor Lawrence led the Tigers on a 4-play, 94-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown with 1:49 remaining.

Ohio State had an opportunity to answer, but it was Nolan Turner who came up with a game-clinching interception in the end zone to seal their fate and give the Tigers the win.

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