Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football team came to play at home against Notre Dame, as the Tigers are up on the Fighting Irish 24-9 heading into the locker room.
As a Clemson fan, you really couldn’t ask for much more from this team today, as they’ve done a great job on both sides of the ball. It is safe to say this is the best this team has looked all season.
The Tigers’ defense is putting together another great performance where we are once again seeing a bend, don’t break mentality. They have been burned on the ground a couple of times by Notre Dame running back Audric Estime, who has 14 carries for 82 yards in the matchup, but it hasn’t hurt them much.
They’ve held the Fighting Irish to three field goals by preventing them from taking advantage of the opportunities they get. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. added a huge 28 yard pick six as well.
On offense, who would have expected a performance as strong as we’ve seen from Cade Klubnik and this unit? Don’t get me wrong, statistically, it doesn’t look incredible, but the results speak for themselves.
Running back Phil Mafah has been phenomenal taking over for the injured Will Shipley, breaking off a 41-yard touchdown run for the Tigers’ first score. He had 11 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Klubnik’s stat line, in particular, isn’t going to scream at you, but he’s looked good today. Completing 7-13 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, the sophomore quarterback has done his job.
This is exactly the start the Tigers needed.