Prince Kollie scored on a blocked punt, Benjamin Morrison returned an interception 96 yards for a landing and had one other interception to arrange one other rating as Notre Dame earned its second straight win over a ranked opponent, beating No. 5 Clemson 35-14 on Saturday night time.
It was simply the third win over a top-10 opponent for Notre Dame (6-3) in its previous 10 video games since 2018. The opposite wins had been towards No. Eight Stanford in 2018 and top-ranked Clemson in 2020. Simply as in that 47-40 victory two years in the past, followers stormed the sector to rejoice.
“We didn’t foresee this recreation going this fashion,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman mentioned. ’”I’m completely satisfied the youngsters proceed to consider in what we’re doing. Immediately was a kind of particular moments.”
The loss ended a 14-game successful streak by the Tigers (8-1), the longest lively streak amongst FBS groups. It was Clemson’s fifth highway loss since 2015.
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“They simply bodily kicked our butt. Interval. The tip,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney mentioned. “They completely dominated us in each facet of soccer and it begins with teaching, tackling, blocking, you title it. It’s what it’s.”
Swinney mentioned it was one in every of his most disappointing video games in his 14 years as head coach.
“We gave up a rating on offense, a rating on particular groups and a rating on protection and that’s the primary time that’s occurred since I used to be a head coach,” he mentioned “We simply obtained outcoached in each facet of soccer. I want I may say I noticed it coming, however we had an amazing week of follow, an amazing week of preparation. However soccer’s a loopy recreation.”
Irish gamers mentioned it was enjoyable celebrating with the followers.
“Our followers deserve this,” Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer mentioned. “They deserve this win..”
Mayer had bother listening to questions when the door to the press room opened as a result of the gang was so loud.
“They’re loopy on the market proper now,” Mayer mentioned.
Swinney pulled DJ Uiagalelei for a second straight recreation, though he had accomplished 13 of 19 passes for 78 yards when he was changed by Cade Klubnik late within the third quarter. This time it backfired, although, as Klubnik was pressured by Justin Ademilola and his go was intercepted by Morrison on the 14-yard line. The Irish scored three performs in a while Audric Estime’s 2-yard run to make it 21-0.
Uiagabele returned within the subsequent sequence and drove the Tigers to the Irish 19-yard line earlier than Morrison intercepted the go to Joseph Ngata on the 4-yard line and returned it for a TD.
With winds of 20 mph, and Drew Pyne struggling in current video games, the Irish leaned closely on their run recreation, though Clemson entered the sport ranked seventh nationally towards the run, giving up 87.9 yards a recreation. Logan Diggs rushed for 114 yards on 17 carries, Estime had 104 yards on 18 carries and the Irish compiled 263 yards speeding, essentially the most speeding yards allowed by Clemson this season. The earlier excessive was 206 yards by Florida State.
“They had been clearly the extra bodily crew. It’s going to be a painful tape to look at for everyone,” Swinney mentioned.
It was the second-highest speeding recreation for the Irish this season. The Irish improved to 5-Zero once they rush for greater than 200 yards.
NO. Three GEORGIA DOMINATES NO. 1 TENNESSEE; HENDON HOOKER SACKED SIX TIMES
Pyne was 9 of 17 passing for 85 yards and added a 5-yard speeding landing. It was the fourth straight recreation that Pyne failed to finish greater than 50% of his passes after finishing 74% of his passes in his first three begins.
Uiagalelei completed the sport 27 of 39 yards for 191 yards. Clemson was held to 90 yards speeding.
The Tigers averted the shutout when Will Shipley, who ran for 63 yards on 12 carries, scored on a 1-yard run with 10:14 left within the recreation, and Uiagaalelei threw a 4-yard TD go to Joseph Ngata with 1:35 left. The Irish added a 17-yard TD go from Pyne to Mike Mayer with 4:16 left.
The Irish dominated Clemson within the first half, speeding for 122 yards and amassing 163 yards total whereas holding the Tigers to 30 yards speeding and 71 yards total. However the massive play was the Irish blocking their fourth punt prior to now three video games on Clemson’s opening drive after the Tigers misplaced 11 yards after being referred to as twice for holding. Linebacker Jordan Botelho broke via the road and obtained two fingers on the punt and Kollie caught it and returned it 17 yards for a TD.
The Irish opened a 14-Zero lead 38 seconds earlier than halftime once they drove 78 yards on 11 performs, with all however one of many performs being on runs. Estime had six runs for 35 yards, Chris Tyree had three runs for 17 yards and Pyne threw an 11-yard go to Michael Mayer and ran twice, scoring on a 5-yard run.
Tempers flared because the groups headed to the locker room at halftime after Clemson proper guard Walker Parks pushed down Notre Dame defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola. A number of gamers pushed earlier than the groups had been separated and headed to their separate tunnels.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Clemson will doubtless drop out of the highest 10 after shedding to a three-loss crew. The Irish, who beat then-No. 16 Syracuse 41-24 per week earlier, may obtain some consideration.
THE TAKEAWAY
Clemson: The Tigers seem unlikely to earn their seventh playoff look in eight years after a lopsided defeat to a three-loss crew and no video games left towards ranked groups.
Notre Dame: The excessive level for the Irish in coach Marcus Freeman’s first 12 months as coach up so far was taking part in No. 2 Ohio State powerful for 3 quarters. That is Notre Dame’s greatest victory since college students stormed the sector following a 47-40 double time beyond regulation victory over top-ranked Clemson two years in the past.
UP NEXT
Clemson: Finishes the season with three dwelling video games, beginning towards Louisville on Saturday.
Notre Dame: Travels to Baltimore to face Navy in its annual recreation towards the Midshipmen on Saturday.
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