Peter Woods’ early exit from Clemson football’s game against Louisville added to the challenges the Tigers faced on a tough night at Death Valley.
The sophomore defensive lineman, one of the anchors of Clemson’s front, left the game in the second quarter with an apparent injury. Woods was later seen without his helmet on the sideline, signaling his day was done.
Head coach Dabo Swinney offered little detail postgame, stating he didn’t yet know the severity of Woods’ injury. Defensive tackles Tre Williams and DeMonte Capehart also faced setbacks, further limiting the Tigers’ defensive front.
Woods’ absence came at a crucial time as Clemson struggled to contain Louisville’s potent run game, with running back Isaac Brown racking up 149 yards on the ground. The Cardinals’ 210 rushing yards on the night underscored how much Clemson’s defense missed Woods’ presence on the field.
With Clemson’s hopes for an ACC title now severely dented after the 33-21 loss, the Tigers will look to regroup quickly. The extent of Woods’ injury remains unknown, but his status will be a key factor as Clemson prepares for a challenging road matchup against Virginia Tech next week.