Clemson’s 39-game regular season win streak is indeed no more! Notre Dame would come out with the 47-40 victory after an intense 270 minutes of back and forth play, taking the competition all the way to double overtime.
This would be Clemson’s first matchup against a top seed after their quarterback Trevor Lawrence would be sidelined for the team’s second game after he tested positive for Covid-19 last week.
There would be additional gaps to the Clemson lineup due to injury, including three starters: middle linebacker Jamie Skalski, defensive tackle Tyler Davis, and strong-side linebacker Mike Jones.
Dabo Swinney wasn’t worried, nor seemed sports analysts knowing that when they need to, Clemson is always able to pull it together. Well… almost always.
Being that this was only the two team’s fifth matchup in history, and they were currently both top five teams, there were many eyes on this game and what would come of its result.
The energy of the stadium was so electric. It was probably enough to power an Antonov An-225 aircraft. By the look of the outpour of students gathered throughout the stadium, the stadium was either just at capacity or certainly a questionable amount over. School spirit was definitely in no short supply here in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Notre Dame would win the toss and gain first possession to begin play. Senior quarterback Ian Book had only released one pass when Clemson’s defense picked up a holding penalty, giving Notre Dame the first down. A grab senior linebacker, Braylon Spector, would soon regret.
In the very next play, Book would feed sophomore running back Kyren Williams. The offensive line would block like their lives depended on it. Williams would take the handoff and go into complete jet stream mode, making it a 65-yard run! In just 33 seconds into play, Williams would have his 8thtouchdown of the season. Senior Jonathan Doerer would make the kick for the extra point.
The Fighting Irish were prepared to give their fans a show to remember.
Notre Dame would continue in the same energy on defense, not allowing Clemson any room to breathe and placing a quick period in their short first drive.
The second quarter would not start as favorable for Notre Dame in offensive scoring, despite being able to convert twice on 3rddown. In one conversion, senior wide receiver Javon McKinley would receive the catch for 28 yards. Ultimately, the Fighting Irish would have to settle for three. Doerer would be good from the 24-yard line.
The Tigers were ready to get on the board. It would be senior wide receiver Cornell Powell to make it a reality. Powell would make his pursuit downfield before receiving a perfect shot from Trevor Lawrence’s replacement, freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. Powell simply ran with his eyes to the heavens awaiting the ball’s landing before continuing his momentum for a 53-yard touchdown, and the kick to follow was good!
Notre Dame was only able to answer with a field goal. Doerer would be good from the 27 to add another three to his team’s score.
After a combined gain of 51 yards from senior wide receiver Amari Rodgers, Clemson would answer with their own field goal. Junior B.T. Potter’s kick from the 25-yard line would be good to narrow the lead.
The Tigers would soon make costly mistakes turning the ball over twice in just 47 seconds. The first would allow a Notre Dame touchdown as senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would return the ball for 23 yards into the end zone.
The second Clemson fumble wouldn’t hurt quite as much thanks to the defense, who would hold the Fighting Irish to a field goal.
Clemson’s next drive appeared promising between junior tight end Braden Galloway, and Etienne. However, the Tigers, like their opponents, would have to also settle for three, and Potter, like his opponent would have to kick from the 45. As his opponent, the kick was good.
The score would be 23-13 going into halftime, the Tigers down by ten.
The looks and sounds of the fired-up stands served as no encouragement. If Swinney’s team were to walk out with any strand of dignity, something was going to have to give, and it would have to give soon.
Clemson would open the half with nothing more than a field goal, as Uiagalelei struggled to complete to his receivers.
Finally, after a six-minute drive, the Tigers would gain some redemption. It was like eating away at an elephant… one bite at a time. Uiagalelei would pass for 8 yards here, handoff for 5 yards there, before getting to 4thand inches.
With full faith in his team, Dabo would go for it and it certainly paid off. Sophomore tight end Davis Allen would cut across the field for the catch taking the ball into the end zone and giving his team their second touchdown of the game.
Despite an impressive 45-yard catch and run play from McKinley, Notre Dame would fumble as sophomore Jake Venables would strip the ball from Book in the tackle. This ultimately wouldn’t cost Notre Dame anything but a minute as Clemson did nothing with their new opportunity.
The 4thquarter would offer a series of replicated scoring. As Notre Dame would gain a field goal, so would Clemson. As Clemson would put up a touchdown, so would Notre Dame. Actually, in that exact order…
After the set of field goals, one from each team, the score was 26-26 with nine minutes left of play.
Clemson would soon make the separation. After a series of solid plays from Rodgers, Etienne, and Powell along with a passing interference penalty on Notre Dame, the Tigers would find their way to the red zone. It would be NFL bound Etienne that would run the ball into the end zone. With the extra point good, Clemson would take their first lead of the game 33-26!
Somehow managing to hold off any scoring from Notre Dame with just under two minutes left of play, Clemson was hoping to close out the game.
If veteran QB Ian Book had anything to say about it, that simply was NOT going to happen…
Despite back to back incompletions, Book proved it only takes the one. Book would find a target in senior wide receiver Avery Davis in the end zone, bringing in the touchdown. With only 22 seconds left this would tie the game 33-33 and take the game into overtime!
After winning the toss, Clemson would receive the ball first. Uiagalelei would connect to Powell for a quick 24-yard pass completion. Uiagalelei would go for a keeper, taking the ball into the end zone for the touchdown!
His Samoan dad watched from the stands beaming from ear to ear. He stood huge in size and stature and had even served as a bodyguard for celebrities like Rihanna as well as Chris Brown. In this moment, however, he was simply a proud father.
In the next four plays, Notre Dame would answer with their own touchdown. Book would make back to back pass completions and Williams would finish off the drive running the ball into the end zone. The Fighting Irish would force a 2ndOT!
This time however, Notre Dame would win first possession.
It would take seven plays, but Book would push pass the pressure and complete the necessary passes. It would again be Williams who would bring the ball home, giving his team back the lead 47-40 with the kick!
The final drive for the Tigers showed just how much experience matters. Uiagalelei, clearly feeling the pressure struggled to connect to his receivers. Notre Dame would seal defeat in a pair of back to back sacks!
After no win against Clemson since Joe Montana was Notre Dame’s qb, the drought was over! Notre Dame had done it and they had done it at home with the final score 47-40 in double OT.
Students began dropping from the stands and rushing the field by the hundreds, creating a sea of green and gold. They were celebrating their school’s victory that had just successfully taken out the #1 seed!
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