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Clemson avenged their 47-40 overtime regular-season loss to Notre Dame today, defeating the Irish 34-10. The most significant difference between this game and the last matchup, Trevor Lawrence was back. The Clemson defense was also playing at a high level holding the Irish 263 total yds. In their regular-season matchup, the Irish had over 500 yds of offense. The Tigers were not having that today as Clemson DC Brent Venables dialed up a defensive masterpiece.
ACC Championship MVP
Trevor Lawrence had 412 yards of offense and three touchdowns and placed himself back at the top of the Heisman discussion. Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, overcame an early interception on a tipped ball to complete 25 of 36 passes for 322 yards. He ran 14 times for 90 yards, with a 34-yard touchdown scamper. Lawrence was even throwing blocks for Travis Etienne to spring him for a big play.
"His ability to run really stresses your coverage calls," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "... So what you try to do is bring some pressures that eliminate those runs. It just opens up some 1-on-1 matchups that are not favorable."
-Brian Kelly
Honorable Mention for MVP
Travis Etienne ran for 124 yards and a score.
The Clemson Defense Deserves MVP Honorable Mention
Clemson's depleted defense allowed Notre Dame to pile up 500+ yards in the previous meeting; today, they limited the Irish to nearly half the yards they had in their previous meeting (263) yards while sacking quarterback Ian Book six times. Book spent most of the game under pressure.
Clemson's secondary shut down Notre Dame's wide receivers and kept RB Kyren Williams in check, holding him to 49 yards rushing. Williams rushed for 140 and 3 scores in their regular-season matchup. Ian Book was held to 219 yards passing and no scores.
Clemson looks the part once again, and it seems like it might come down to Alabama and Clemson for the National Championship AGAIN!. Even if you have fatigue watching the same two teams over and over, it's good football.
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