The Clemson Tigers served up a platter of redemption in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship win over Notre Dame in the ACC Title Game. The Tigers issued a hefty reminder of their DNA as they racked in their sixth consecutive conference title, making their sole 2020 season loss against the Fighting Irish a thing of the past.
The Tiger’s defense would gain back crucial weapons in defensive tackle Tyler Davis and linebackers James Skalski and Mike Jones Jr., who had been missing from play due to injuries in the last meeting with the Irish.
Skalski, who had stepped into the shoes of former Clemson linebacker and 2020 Cardinals draft pick Isaiah Simmons, would announce his own presence early, offering a grueling sack to Notre Dame QB Ian Book to hold the Fighting Irish to a 51-yard field goal in their opening drive.
However, the game MVP, quarterback Trevor Lawrence further proved to be the glue of Clemson’s elite program. Lawrence, who had been sidelined due to Covid-19 protocols in the last meeting against Notre Dame, welcomed his opponents with an electrifying performance, almost to say, “Did you miss me”?
Lawrence would close the first quarter with not a 40, not a 50, but a 67-yard rocket downfield straight into the hands of a wide-open Amari Rodgers! The senior wide receiver would trot right into the end zone for the touchdown, signaling a kiss and forming a heart with his hands as if to say thanks for coming to the show, everyone!
The game probably could have been called right then, as the defense had already shut down high hopes of the Irish, just for Lawrence to follow up demonstrating his greatness in its highest form. However, as the football format goes, there were three more quarters to follow.
Six minutes into the 2nd quarter, Lawrence created more magic. On 2nd& 4, Lawrence would find freshman wide receiver E.J. Williams, mailing him an early Christmas present in a perfect 33-yard pass! Williams seeing a clear open lane, would stroll right into the end zone to extend Clemson’s lead 14-3 and pick up the second TD of his rookie season.
Sophomore defensive end K.J. Henry would follow up offering Book a sack of his own, tallying 40+ sacks for Clemson’s 7th season in a row led by defensive commander Brent Venables. Junior cornerback Derion Kendrick would further add insult to injury by issuing a three and out to Notre Dame.
Brian Blanco/AP Photo
After being forced to a mere field goal late in the second, Clemson’s offense was hungry for seven. With 21 seconds left in the half on 4th and 1, NFL bound running back Travis Etienne put on his jets, bypassing the 40, the 30, the 20, the 10 until reaching the end zone for an electrifying 44-yard touchdown run! The lead would be stretched 24-3 headed into intermission!
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly would have a tough charge ahead of him as any same season rematch game is hard. However, being a fellow Top 5 seed, Clemson was out for blood.
A miracle was just about all the Fighting Irish could ask for in the second half as their offense continued to be pummeled by the Tiger’s defense. Whatever strategy Notre Dame’s offense had hoped to implement at halftime seemed useless as Clemson continued to extinguish Ian Book like a candle snuffer, one drive after the next.
One tag-teamed sack between freshman defensive end Myles Murphy and freshman cornerback Malcolm Green and an additional solo sack from Greene would be issued to Book all within the first 8 minutes of the second half!
The offense seemed to feel another touchdown was in order to show off their skills. With those skills, the freshman E.J. Williams tapped into his inner OBJ. On 3rd down, Lawrence would launch a 22-yard dart downfield. Despite defensive pressure, Williams would reach out and make the spectacular one-handed grab for the first down and then some!
Again, speaking of skills… a moment of silence is needed for the dual-threat in passing and SPEED of Clemson’s #16. At 6’6”, 220 lbs. Lawrence zoomed by the preoccupied navy blue and gold to take the ball to the house, stretching the Tigers’ lead 31-3!
Later, a 23-yard gain from a run by sophomore Chez Mellusi would put Clemson in field goal range where junior B.T. Potter was good from 37 for an extra 3 to open the 4thquarter.
The Fighting Irish, led by their QB, would continue to do just that, fight. A series of needed pass completions aided by a couple of Clemson defensive penalties would bring Notre Dame into the red zone. Freshman running back Chris Tyree would receive back to back handoffs from Book before finishing his second with a 21-yard run into the end zone.
In lieu of the eight minutes left that showed on the game clock, however, Notre Dame’s first TD of the game and only second score since their opening drive wasn’t near enough to survive defeat.
With only five minutes left on the clock, Lawrence would check out of the game, greeted by a standing ovation and cheers from loyal Clemson fans dispersed throughout Bank of America Stadium.
Lawrence would leave the field with 322 yards in passing, 90 yards rushing, and a finishing touch of his own personal TD.
Although Book would finish 20 for 28 with a total of 219 yards in passing, these numbers would be all he had to his name at the end of the game. Led by an energetic Skalski, the Clemson defense all but put Book in a straightjacket, consistently denying him scoring opportunities anytime he was close.
To celebrate victory, head coach Dabo Swinney would be greeted with the traditional orange Gatorade bath. With his leadership, not only had his team been able to avenge their lone Week 10 loss against their previous victors, but they also gained their sixth straight ACC Title!
After being dethroned from their #1 ranking and witnessing hundreds of students celebrating as they rushed the field in a sea of green and gold, the Tigers left Notre Dame’s turf in low spirits. Swinney encouraged his team in the locker room, reminding them that there would be no trophy handed out that night, but there would be one-handed out in North Carolina. Indeed, they were taking that crown home Saturday night!
In the trophy ceremony, Swinney described that with all his team had overcome in this unique 2020 season. This ACC title meant the most. Swinney even made a case that QB Trevor Lawrence is the best player in college football and should be the recipient of the 2020 Heisman Trophy.
Heisman or no Heisman, Trevor Lawrence’s impact on a game is undeniable. Clemson would be leaving Charlotte with new gold hardware and added confidence going into the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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