Clemson VS Notre Dame: Postgame
The Tigers and the Irish would match up on a wild weekend of college football. This was their first matchup since 2020, when the two teams faced off twice, with the Irish and Tigers splitting the two games. The Irish would search for their first signature win in the Marcus Freeman era, and the Tigers would look to make a statement within the national narrative. Here is how things played out.
The first quarter began with the Tiger defense holding the Irish’s first possession in check as Myles Murphy found Drew Pyne in the pocket and got the sack. Clemson would horrendously start on offense, as two straight-holding calls would put the Tigers behind their ten-yard line. Disaster would strike as Swanson’s punt would be blocked, and the Irish would take it in for six. That would be the only score of the first quarter. The Irish and Tigers would trade blows back and forth, with only the blocked punt being the play that made the difference. Oddly enough, it seemed like the bye was the worst possible thing for the Tigers, as Clemson came out and did not execute to their standard.
Near the halfway mark of the second, the Tiger’s offense could still not muster a sustained drive. DJ and company could not find any consistency as DJ struggled to find any rhythm in driving the football down the field, primarily through the air. The Tiger defense kept Pyne and the Irish offense in check consistently as they forced a missed field goal to put the Irish up ten and drive more momentum in their favor. The missed field goal attempt felt like the first thing that went Clemson’s way throughout the first quarter and a half. Despite the missed field goal, the Tigers could not capitalize as two missed swing passes by DJ put the Tigers behind the sticks and forced a conservative call that would result in another Tigers punt. The second quarter would conclude with a significant drive from the Irish, as Drew Pyne found his way into the end zone for his first rushing TD of the season. The Tigers would go into the half down fourteen, with significant adjustments needed if they wished to keep their playoff dream alive.
The second half began, and the Tiger’s offense picked up where they left off—with more inefficiency, leading to another Swanson punt. The Irish have been dominant on the ground all night and would continue to do so as they put the ball midfield when a lengthy stoppage within the refs to determine if there was targeting on Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and there was not. The Clemson defense would again get a stop, only to see some progress from the offense, but not enough to make a difference. DJ’s night would end as Cade Klubnik would begin to warm up, as the Tigers would try to spark a desperate comeback. The third quarter would conclude with Cade coming in at quarterback and instantly making a costly decision that would give the Irish the ball in the end zone.
The fourth quarter would begin with the Irish flexing their muscles as they drove the ball down the field following the Klubnik interception, and the Irish would punch it in for seven. DJ would return as the quarterback and try to spark the Tiger’s offense down twenty-one. The game would be all but wrapped up as DJ would throw a ball intended for Ngata that would go back for six. Clemson would not be shut out tonight, as DJ would drive the length of the field and allow Shipley to do the rest for a one-yard score. This game will leave many Tiger fans puzzled, searching for answers. On a night filled with negative aspects, let’s try to be optimistic about what we have ahead of us.
Clemson will represent the Atlantic for the conference with a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl, which is a significant step up from the Cheez-it Bowl from last season. There is a lot to play for within the scope of this season. It may not be for a spot in the playoff, but this Tiger team can still accomplish great things.
