We spoke about it all week long in previewing this game and the first half played out exactly to form in that category.
Notre Dame vs. Clemson and running the football.
Clemson has perhaps the best running back in all of the land but Notre Dame’s run defense has been as impressive as any unit in the country as well.
For the first half Clemson was able to put up just five total rushing yards on 10 attempts, one of which was fumbled and returned for a touchdown by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
There’s a long way to go before this one is over but the good news for Notre Dame is that a lot of what they’ve done can be improved.
A pair of false starts, one of which took away a touchdown opportunity inside the Clemson five yard line. A few other penalties as well that put the skids on some drives and a would-be tough catch that wasn’t made by Michael Mayer that meant another field goal instead of touchdown.
All of that said you can’t really complain if you’re a Notre Dame fan.
Chris Tyree on the first non-penalized play of the game goes 75 yards to strike first and the defense has been stout while Owusu-Koramoah is playing like his hair is on fire.
I’ve loved what Tommy Rees has done mixing and blending formations and coming out and being willing to throw on first down. I haven’t loved his play-calling at times this year but he’s picking a great time to shine so far. Now let’s see how he adjusts to Clemson’s adjustments in the second half as their staff is outstanding at in-game adjustments, one of the many reasons they’re always so tough.
We’re 30 minutes between Notre Dame knocking off number one for the first time since 1993.
That game against Florida State was similar in that Notre Dame jumped out to an impressive lead but the Seminoles and all their firepower came storming back late.
Buckle up, we’ve got ourselves one helluva ballgame and night developing in South Bend.