Clemson Drops Hard-Fought Battle to Notre Dame
By: Zach Wagner
For the first time in 36-regular season games, the Clemson Football Team fell to the fourth ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in double overtime in South Bend, Indiana 47-40. Starting Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw for 439 yards, which is the most passing yards any quarterback has thrown for against the Irish. The overtime loss is the first time the Tigers have gone to an overtime period since 2016 against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
After Travis Etienne gave Clemson its first lead of the ballgame with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter, the Irish responded with a touchdown drive of their own to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining.
Clemson struck first in overtime, after a 24-yard connection between Uiagalelei and Cornell Powell spotted the ball at the one, the freshman quarterback powered the ball in for six on the next play.
Notre Dame tied the game back up, forcing a double-overtime period, where they would begin with the ball.
After scoring a touchdown to regain the lead, the Fighting Irish defense sacked Uiagalelei twice and forced an incomplete lateral attempt on the final play of the game to force a game winning turnover-on-downs.
Uiagalelei threw for 439 yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-43 passing. The California native also added a rushing touchdown.
Cornell Powell continued stepping up as a leader on the injury-ridden Tiger offense, catching six passes for a team high 161-yards and a touchdown. Tight End Davis Allen also recorded a touchdown reception. Amari Rodgers recorded eight receptions for 134 receiving yards.
B.T. Potter was a solid 4-for-4 on field goals, marking him the first Clemson kicker since 2013 to accomplish the feat of four field goals in one game.
Clemson will take a much needed week off next Saturday before returning to play on Saturday, November 21st against Florida State.
