Teams that have never beaten Clemson Football

Louisville Cardinals

The program that Clemson has faced the most without losing is the most recent addition to the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Louisville Cardinals. The Tigers have played the Cardinals eight times and won all eight. All eight meetings have been since 2014 when Louisville joined the conference.

It is a bit surprising that the two programs had never faced each other before 2014. The Cardinals were founded in 1912 and have had a rich history, albeit as an independent or in other conferences such as the Ohio Valley Conference, Conference USA, and the Big East Conference.

Their history might have just started a decade ago, but these two programs have already had some great matchups, most notably in 2016. The Tigers, led by Deshaun Watson, hosted the Cardinals in Death Valley. Rising star Lamar Jackson was Louisville’s quarterback, and both put on a show. The Tigers took the lead in the first half, only to see Jackson storm back to lead 36-28.

Watson put the team on his shoulders and led them back in the 4th quarter to a 42-36 victory. Marcus Edmond sealed the win with a late play to force Louisville to turn the ball over on 4th down. Clemson marched forward to an ACC championship, a CFP berth, and a national championship, but Jackson’s performance led to the 2016 Heisman Trophy.