Tag: Clemson

Clemson vs. Nick Saban led Alabama is the all-time College Football Playoff rivalry

With Nick Saban retiring, we reflect on the Clemson vs. Alabama College Football Playoff rivalry.

For a period of the College Football Playoff era, the question was, Clemson or Alabama?

There is no denying that in the early stages of the CFP era, the best-developed rivalry was the one between Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers and Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. The two programs had some of the best battles you’ll see, and their history is intertwined together through these classic matchups.

Things look a lot different for both programs nowadays, with reports released that Saban will be retiring from football after what could be the best coaching career in college football history. It came as a shock to many, but Saban’s time as a coach has come to an end.

With Saban stepping away, we wanted to reflect on what is the best College Football Playoff rivalry of all time, Clemson vs. Alabama.

– Updated to add information 1/5

Texas holds off Clemson 38-24, will face Arizona State in quarterfinals of CFP

Texas jumps out to be lead over Clemson then hangs on in the fourth quarter, 38-24 in the first-round of the CFP at DKR.

Texas powered past Clemson in its first-round College Football Playoff matchup at home, securing a 38-24 victory.  Fueled by explosive plays, dominant rushing performances and clutch defensive stands the Longhorns showcased their firepower early, building a commanding lead early in the third quarter. But a gutty performance from Clemson QB Cade Klubnik made for some nervous moments before UT finally ended the Tigers comeback attempt and punched its ticket to the Peach Bowl.

Clemson actually took the lead on the first drive.  Cade Klubnik connected with Antonio Williams for a 22-yard touchdown pass, culminating in a 12-play, 75-yard drive that spanned nearly seven minutes. Nolan Hauser’s extra point secured the Tigers’ early advantage, giving them a 7-0 lead.

Texas responded with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Wisner, following a 12-play, 75-yard drive. Bert Auburn’s kick tied the game at 7-7. From that point on, the Longhorns gained control in the second quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns. Blue broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run on a five-play drive, propelling Texas ahead 14-7. Wisner continued the scoring spree midway through the quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run after a six-play, 87-yard effort.

Clemson managed to narrow the gap with a 32-yard field goal by Hauser, cutting the score to 21-10 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. However, Texas responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Gunnar Helm, securing the 28-10 lead at halftime.

Texas extended its lead early in the second half with a 22-yard field goal by Auburn, resulting from a 14-play, 71-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes. Clemson countered with a 25-yard touchdown reception by Jarvis Green from Klubnik, narrowing the deficit to 31-17 as the game entered the final quarter.

The Tigers staged a comeback in the fourth quarter, with Klubnik connecting with T.J. Moore for a 7-yard touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 31-24. But Texas swiftly silenced any hopes of a Tigers rally with a breathtaking 77-yard touchdown run just 55 seconds later. The Tigers attempted once more to enter the Texas endzone late in the fourth, but another fourth-down stand by the Texas defense shut the door on Austin-native Klubnik the Tigers. 

Texas will now face off against Arizona State University (11-2), the No. 4 seed, in the CFP quarterfinals on New Year’s Day. Kickoff is slated for Jan. 1 at 11am CT at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The two schools matched up in 2007 during the Holiday Bowl, where Texas defeated Arizona State 54-34.

College Football Playoff: 2025 draft prospects to watch during Clemson vs. Texas

The top 2025 NFL draft prospects to watch during Clemson Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff game on Saturday feature plenty of playmakers on each side of the ball:

The newly expanded College Football Playoffs have begun and it is providing another way to prepare for the 2025 NFL draft.

For teams like the New Orleans Saints, the NFL draft has already become the most exciting thing for the future. Watching these games could give some insight into who the next Saints players will be.

Up second on Saturday is the Clemson Tigers taking on the Texas Longhorns, a matchup full of NFL talent.

The top draft prospect in this matchup would be Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks. Banks is one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the country and is also more than solid in run protection.

Taliese Fuaga has been good at left tackle, but drafting Banks would allow him to move back to the right side where he has proven dominant.

A Day 2 prospect to watch is Tigers tight end Jake Briningstool. It’s clear that New Orleans’ offense needs another weapon at that spot and Briningstool has the tools that modern day tight ends possess.

He is a solid pass catcher that can get by with enough blocking ability. The senior has 1,311 career receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He has a high ceiling that is certainly worth a look in the third round.

Closing things out with a Day 3 prospect, Clemson running back Phil Mafah would be an interesting pair with Alvin Kamara.

With shades of Kamara and Mark Ingram a few years ago, having one shifty back and another power back has come back in style. Mafah has had a breakout campaign after sharing the field with Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley previously.

How to Watch

This game is one of the few college football games that won’t be played on ESPN this postseason. It will be aired on TNT as well as available to be streamed on Sling and Max.

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik returns home for long-awaited rematch with Texas’ Quinn Ewers

Former Texas product will return home to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns and Quinn Ewers.

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns are hosting the No. 12 Clemson Tigers at Darrell K. Royal later this month. The game comes after Texas, fell short of an SEC Championship against Georgia, 22-19.

The Longhorns were expected to make the College Football Playoff irregardless of the game’s outcome, and they did just that clinching a No. 5 spot in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

No. 12 Clemson, defeated No. 11 SMU for the ACC Championship on Sunday, 34-31. Advancing to the No. 12 spot, kicking out SEC team, Alabama. For some, on the Clemson team, coming to Austin might be an opportunity to play in new atmosphere and new town, but for Clemson Quarterback Cade Klubnik, it means returning to his home town.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is set to return to his hometown of Austin, Texas, as the Tigers face the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the College Football Playoff on December 21, 2024. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Clemson and Texas on the football field.

Klubnik, an alumnus of Austin’s Westlake High School, led the Chaparrals to two state championships in 2020 and 2021. During his high school career, he set school records with 86 touchdown passes and 7,390 passing yards, surpassing notable Westlake quarterbacks such as Drew Brees, Nick Foles, and Sam Ehlinger.

The upcoming game also rekindles a notable quarterback rivalry. In the 2020 Class 6A Division I State Championship, Klubnik’s Westlake team defeated Southlake Carroll, led by current Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, with a score of 52-34.  This playoff game serves as a rematch between the two quarterbacks, now leading their respective college teams.

Adding to the local connections, one of Klubnik’s former Westlake teammate is now on the Texas roster, offensive lineman Connor Robertson. Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

The Texas Longhorns are set to take on Clemson from Austin on Saturday December 21st at 3PM. The game is set to be broadcasted on TNT.

How to buy No. 5 Texas vs No. 12 Clemson College Football Playoff tickets

Whether you’re a fan of Texas, Clemson, or just college football, get your College Football Playoff tickets now.

The Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers are headed to the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns were selected to be the No. 5 seed and will host the No. 12 seeded Tigers in Austin at 4 p.m. EST.

Tickets for the game are already available. At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the College Football Playoff first-round matchup between Texas and Clemson cost $250.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

Texas lost the SEC Championship in overtime against Georgia, the only team to beat Texas during the entire season, but has been a top team throughout the entire season.

Clemson played their way into the College Football Playoff with a last-second win against SMU in the ACC Championship.

Get your Texas vs. Clemson College Football Playoff tickets now.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

How to buy No. 5 Texas vs No. 12 Clemson College Football Playoff tickets

Whether you’re a fan of Texas, Clemson, or just college football, get your College Football Playoff tickets now.

The Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers are headed to the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns were selected to be the No. 5 seed and will host the No. 12 seeded Tigers in Austin at 4 p.m. EST.

Tickets for the game are already available. At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the College Football Playoff first-round matchup between Texas and Clemson cost $250.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

Texas lost the SEC Championship in overtime against Georgia, the only team to beat Texas during the entire season, but has been a top team throughout the entire season.

Clemson played their way into the College Football Playoff with a last-second win against SMU in the ACC Championship.

Get your Texas vs. Clemson College Football Playoff tickets now.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

How to buy No. 5 Texas vs No. 12 Clemson College Football Playoff tickets

Whether you’re a fan of Texas, Clemson, or just college football, get your College Football Playoff tickets now.

The Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers are headed to the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns were selected to be the No. 5 seed and will host the No. 12 seeded Tigers in Austin at 4 p.m. EST.

Tickets for the game are already available. At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the College Football Playoff first-round matchup between Texas and Clemson cost $250.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

Texas lost the SEC Championship in overtime against Georgia, the only team to beat Texas during the entire season, but has been a top team throughout the entire season.

Clemson played their way into the College Football Playoff with a last-second win against SMU in the ACC Championship.

Get your Texas vs. Clemson College Football Playoff tickets now.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texas vs Clemson CFP tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/G9ygYoJ/”]

Kentucky basketball is preparing for the looming scheduling gauntlet

Kentucky basketball will face a difficult schedule of the next few weeks.

Just over a month out of SEC play, and Kentucky basketball is preparing for one of its toughest stretches of the season.

Wildcat basketball kicks off a two-week gauntlet this Tuesday with a matchup against Clemson.

The Tigers are 7-1 to start the season, with their only loss coming against Boise State on November 17. They’re a tough out by every stretch, as ESPN expert Joe Lunardi currently has Clemson as a ten seed in his latest Bracketology.

Their next matchup is arguably their toughest of the regular season, as Kentucky is slated to play Gonzaga on Saturday, December 7. The Bulldogs (7-1) are the fourth-ranked team in the country and a one seed in Lunardi’s latest.

Related: Kentucky leads the nation in points scored per game

These matchups are two that the team is preparing for — particularly with physicality.

“You know, next week is our first true road game. Really, it’s going to be essentially our first true road games against elite level talent,” said Wildcats coach Mark Pope. “Both insanely physical teams. Clemson incredibly physical.  Gonzaga, I know Gonzaga well. We been messing with them for a long time and coach Hughes is probably the best in college basketball or close to it, I don’t know how to rate them. Gonzaga is always insanely physical and part of their team that people miss sometimes.  It’s something, we are going into a combat week where it’s going to be a massively physical game.”

The Wildcats then have somewhat of a lull, taking on 2-5 Colgate the following Wednesday, December 11.

Then it’s straight back into action, as Kentucky is set to host blood-rival Louisville (5-2) at Rupp Arena on Saturday, December 14.

Notre Dame men’s soccer loses ACC Tournament game on Hail Mary goal

You absolutely must see this.

The Notre Dame men’s soccer team lost its ACC Tournament opener to Stanford in the most improbable fashion. The final score was 3-2, but that doesn’t begin to describe how that score occurred.

Trailing, 2-1, with 12 seconds left, the Irish had a free kick inside the penalty area. [autotag]Matthew Roou[/autotag], who had scored the Irish’s first goal, softly kicked the ball to [autotag]Mitch Ferguson[/autotag], who then fired it home to tie the game.

Shortly after the Cardinal reset play from midfield, Dylan Hooper fired a desperation kick from slightly further away. The shot turned out to be on goal, and goalkeeper [autotag]Collin Travasos[/autotag] wasn’t able to stop it.

The Cardinal somehow had regained the lead with one second left, and that lead would stand, enabling them to play Clemson in the quarterfinals.

It was as heartbreaking an ending as it could have been for the 7-5-5 Irish, who now must wait until the Nov. 18 selection show to find out if they made the NCAA Tournament. And all because of a crazy sequence that starts at 1:21 in the below video:

Never say you’ve seen everything in sports. Something new always will find a way.

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Dabo Swinney shares a team injury update after win over Wake Forest

Swinney shares a team injury update

Following Clemson football’s 49-14 victory over Wake Forest, head coach Dabo Swinney shared several updates on the Tigers’ injury situation.

Freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco is considered day-to-day after an ankle injury he suffered against Florida State. Sophomore receiver Tyler Brown, also dealing with an ankle issue, is now week-to-week. Swinney mentioned that while Brown was available for the Wake Forest game if needed, he will be “shut down” on Sunday to focus on recovery. Brown might return following Clemson’s open date on October 26, just after their game against Virginia next Saturday.

Swinney also updated other key players. Offensive lineman Collin Sadler, who was sidelined with a calf injury, and defensive tackle Stephiylan Green, out with an undisclosed injury, are both day-to-day. Neither player traveled to Wake Forest, but Swinney is optimistic they’ll make progress by early next week.

Clemson (5-1) will host Virginia in Death Valley next Saturday, with a noon kickoff on ACC Network. This will be the Tigers’ last game before their bye week.