Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

It’s a game that has lived up to its billing. Notre Dame and Clemson have been competitive the entire way.

It’s a game that has lived up to its billing. Notre Dame and Clemson have been competitive the entire way. As a generation of Irish fans has come to expect, there’s no room for their team when it comes to beating the best of the best. But that might not be the case for long. We’re headed to overtime with these teams tied at 33.

After Jonathan Doerer and B.T. Potter traded field goals to begin the fourth quarter, the Tigers began a key drive at their own 26-yard line. Thanks to D.J. Uiagalelei’s play and leadership, Travis Etienne living up to his reputation as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, and the Irish taking an uncharacteristic amount of penalties, it was inevitable that the nation’s top-ranked team would reach the end zone. That’s exactly what happened on a 3-yard run from Etienne.

The Irish then had a chance to march down the field and tie the game or even retake the lead. They picked up a couple of first downs but never got past the Clemson 47. It didn’t help that the final series included a questionable decision to pick up a pass interference flag against the Tigers. But the Notre Dame offense had been shaky the entire game, so it’s not like it deserved breaks at that point in the game anyway.

The Tigers went three and out on their next possession, giving the Irish one final opportunity. Looking to make the play that would put his team in position to do it, Ian Book found Avery Davis for a 53-yard completion to the Tigers’ 4. Three plays later, Book connected with Davis again, this time in the end zone to tie the score.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Third-Quarter Analysis

Well, we finally have the barn burner we were expecting in South Bend. Is it because Clemson is figuring out Notre Dame’s defense?

Well, we finally have the barn burner we were expecting in South Bend. Is it because Clemson is figuring out Notre Dame’s defense? Perhaps it’s the long time of possession the Tigers had in the third quarter. Whatever the reason, the final 15 minutes of regulation will begin with a 23-all game.

The Tigers took the ball to begin the second half and got far enough down field for B.T. Potter to kick a 46-yard field goal. The Irish promptly went three and out, Jay Bramblett had a short punt, and that began a Clemson possession that lasted nearly six-and-a-half minutes longer than anyone in gold and blue would have liked. Led by D.J. Uiagalelei, the Tigers used every offensive weapon in their arsenal to pick up a third down, a fourth down and finally, a 10-yard touchdown caught by Davis Allen. The Tigers had scored 13 unanswered to knot it up.

The Irish appeared poised to take the lead right back. Ian Book opened the next drive with a 45-yard pass to Javon McKinley that required a replay review to confirm. Another review had to confirm a much shorter catch by Michael Mayer. Finally, Book was about to run for the touchdown from 7 yards out, only to lose the ball and have Baylon Spector recover it in the end zone for a touchback.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Positional breakdown advantages

A breakdown of each position for Notre Dame and Clemson and who has the advantage.

This is the game of the year in the ACC, if not all college football, at least in the regular season. No. 1 Clemson travels to South Bend to take on No. 4 Notre Dame. This highly anticipated game will feature a number of future NFL stars.

A look at each position and which team has the advantage in Saturday’s huge contest.

Don’t forget to take a look at each of our tales of the tape as well (wide receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks)

(Some photo’s courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics)