Tag: Clemson vs. Kentucky

Marquee Clemson-Kentucky basketball game in December will be late tipoff

A late tipoff awaits Clemson and Kentucky’s marquee nonconference showdown in the SEC/ACC Challenge in December.

If you’re really looking forward to seeing the Clemson Tigers square off against the Kentucky Wildcats as part of this year’s SEC/ACC Challenge, you might need an excuse to miss work the following day.

That’s because Clemson’s game against Kentucky basketball will be a late tipoff. How late? The Tigers and Wildcats will get underway at 9:30 p.m. locally in the Upstate when the two teams meet on Dec. 3 at Littlejohn Coliseum. The game will be televised on ESPN, who announced start times for the SEC-ACC Challenge on Monday.

Clemson hasn’t faced Kentucky on the hardwood since the beginning of the 1997-98 season, a 76-61 Wildcats victory at the Premier Classic in Phoenix that November. Rick Barnes and Tubby Smith were the head coaches at Clemson and Kentucky, respectively, at the time.

The Wildcats went on to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship against Utah at the Alamodome in San Antonio in March 1998.

A year earlier, the Tigers bested Kentucky, 79-71, in overtime on Nov. 15, 1996 in the BCA Classic at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. It would turn out to be Rick Pitino’s final season as Wildcats head coach. Pitino would lose his bid at a second straight title months later with a loss to Arizona in the national championship game — also at RCA Dome.

Kentucky leads the all-time series against Clemson, 12-4.

RELATED: Clemson basketball lands massive commitment from 4-star guard Zac Foster

Clemson is coming off its best season in over 40 years. The Tigers reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last March for only the second time in school history — and the first time since 1980.

Kentucky was a No. 3 seed in the tournament but fell to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round in John Calipari’s final game as Wildcats coach after 15 seasons. Amid mounting pressure, Calipari left Lexington for the Arkansas Razorbacks’ coaching job weeks later.

Brad Brownell will be in his 15th season as Clemson’s head coach when the Tigers open the 2024-25 campaign against Charleston Southern on Nov. 4 at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson returns six scholarship players from a season ago, including sixth-year senior guard Chase Hunter and forward/center Ian Schieffelin.

Both were instrumental in the Tigers’ deep run to the Elite Eight. Schieffelin was named the ACC’s Most Improved Player a season ago.

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions. 

Clemson will face Kentucky in 2024 ACC-SEC Challenge

THe Tigers will face the Kentucky Wildcats as part of the 2024 ACC-SEC Challenge.

The Clemson Tigers will play the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2024 ACC-SEC Challenge,

Veteran college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein first reported the news Wednesday afternoon. The game will be played at Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday, December 3.

The Tigers and Wildcats last met on the hardwood on November 29, 1997, a 76-61 Kentucky victory. Tubby Smith was Kentucky’s head coach at the time. Rick Barnes was in his fourth and final season at Clemson before taking over at Texas.

The Tigers are coming off a thrilling 2024 season that ended with the school making its first Elite Eight appearance since 1980. Clemson defeated New Mexico in the first round before taking down No. 3 seed Baylor in the second round and No. 2 seed Arizona in the Sweet 16. The Tigers fell to Alabama in the Elite Eight.

Other matchups announced for the 2024 ACC-SEC Challenge on December 3-4 were North Carolina vs. Alabama in a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 contest, Duke vs. Auburn, Syracuse vs. Tennessee, Miami vs. Arkansas, and others.

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary.  

Eric Mac Lain shares his takeaways from Clemson’s wild Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Former Tiger Eric Mac Lain recently shared his takeaways from Clemson’s Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers secured a thrilling victory in the Gator Bowl, edging out Mark Stoop and the Kentucky Wildcats with a 38-35 score that’s buzzing across social media.

Despite lacking aesthetic perfection from both teams, the contest was charged with explosive plays, turnovers, and more. It unfolded as a seesaw battle, with both sides seemingly on the verge of clinching the win at different junctures. This particular showdown undoubtedly stands out as one of the most exhilarating among the myriad wild bowl matchups witnessed this season.

Recently, former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain shared his takeaways from the Gator Bowl on an episode of Gramlich & Mac Lain.

“I wanted to see a little bit more from the offense throwing the football, and it is what it is at this point. There’s some serious growing up that needs to happen,” Mac Lain said. “Giving up eight sacks… it’s brutal, and it’s like 50-50, O-line versus quarterback versus whatever, protection, just outnumbered, just is what it is. And I see that, I’m like, gosh, that stinks. Like, how much better could it be. And not hitting guys when they’re open and guys dropping balls. It really felt like just this perfect, ‘Here’s the season, all in one.’ And really for the last couple of seasons, it’s kind of felt like this. But, Clemson found a way and they were able to get it, and they really leaned on (Phil) Mafah and leaned on Ship (Will Shipley). 

“Defense, kind of stepped up big when you needed them the most. So many young guys – I mean, Khalil Barnes being the leading tackler, I think he has a chance to be really, really special. Wade Woodaz looked great. Barrett Carter again doing his thing, Peter Woods and company, TJ Parker. So, I think the future’s really bright for the future of the Clemson defense.”

According to Mac Lain, the best thing he saw from the win was the two-minute game-winning drive from starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. The sophomore quarterback showed up when the team needed him, completing 8-for-8 for 71 yards on the game-winning drive.

“Cade was essentially perfect… and just moving the ball, finding guys, getting out in space, making it happen… The thing that I heard coach Swinney say after the game of Cade is very comfortable going fast, and that’s what they had to do,” Mac Lain said. “And that kind of takes thinking out of it. You move him around a little bit; he’s just getting the ball to guys and moving the ball quickly.

“It is going to be fascinating, how can Clemson grow from this game and what can they take from it, what can these players take from it and essentially keep riding this wave of five games in a row.”

Hopefully, it is only up from here for the Tigers.

Clemson vs. Kentucky Gator Bowl ranked the No.2 best bowl game of 2023-24

CBS Sports has ranked Clemson’s Gator Bowl win over Kentucky as the No.2 best bowl game of the season.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers won the Gator Bowl 38-35 over the Kentucky Wildcats in a wild game, one of the best bowl games of 2023-24.

From top to bottom, this was an exciting matchup between two excellent programs. There were huge plays, turnovers, lead changes, and a ton of suspense, and the Tigers battled with the Wildcats in what many called an instant classic.

How good was this Gator Bowl? From many points of view, including mine, it was arguably the best bowl game of the season. I’m not the only one who feels this way, as CBS Sports’ recent article ranking all 41 college football bowl games for 2023-24 ranked the Gator Bowl as the No.2 best bowl game this season. Here is what writer Tom Fornelli had to say about the matchup.

No. 22 Clemson 38, Kentucky 35: I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll just begin with the record. There were 42 points scored in the fourth quarter of this game, more than in any fourth quarter in bowl game history — and that was just part of what went down in the Gator Bowl. There were eight lead changes, including four in the fourth quarter, as both teams kept trading haymakers. It was everything you could want from a bowl game played on a Friday morning in Jacksonville. Early on, the star of the show was Kentucky’s Barion Brown. He scored UK’s first touchdown of the day with a 22-yard run and then opened the second half with a 100-yard kick return TD that gave the Wildcats a 21-10 at the time. He had a setback with a fumble that led to a 29-yard TD run by Clemson’s Phil Mafah to give the Tigers a 27-21 lead (Clemson’s first lead since it was up 10-7), but Brown made up for it immediately, catching a 60-yard touchdown pass to take the lead back.

What more could you want from a bowl game? As a fan, I’m sure if you’re on Kentucky’s side, a win would be the answer, but other than that, what? This game had it all!

If you haven’t seen it, check out the highlights below from this crazy game.

Dabo Swinney on kick return touchdown: ‘I was pissed. It was bad’

Dabo Swinney was not happy about the kick return touchdown the team allowed in the Gator Bowl against Kentucky.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers won the Gator Bowl 38-35 over the Kentucky Wildcats in a wild game where the Tigers needed to come from behind.

Trailing 14-10 heading into the half, Clemson needed to come out strong in the second half, and they didn’t do that. On the first play of the second half, Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown took a kick return 100 yards for a touchdown, extending Kentucky’s lead to 21-10.

When asked about his message for the team after that play, Swinney was clearly not happy with what had happened.
“I’m not sure I can repeat that right here,” Swinney said in response to the aforementioned question.

“I was pissed. It was bad. We thought there was a hold, but it doesn’t matter. You’ve got 11 guys on the field, and I was really disappointed. We knew going in – I think they were third in the country in kick return – and ironically, we ended up having a big one ourselves that set up a difference in the game. But that was very disappointing.”

Regardless, Clemson rallied and figured things out. It’s not every game a team can overcome something such as that, but Swinney’s squad did. It was an excellent win for the Tigers, who proved when they’re down, they aren’t out.

“It’s amazing to win the game,” Swinney said. “You give up a kick return, you usually get beat, and just a tough way to start the third quarter. Really disappointed in that, but we overcame it.”

A Gator Bowl win to end Clemson’s season is something no one will complain about.

Clemson’s Defensive Players of the Game for the Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Here are our Defensive Players of the Game for Clemson’s Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

No. 22 Clemson needed every play — and almost every second — in their wild, 38-35 comeback victory over Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. 

Fortunately, the Tigers (9-4 overall) ended up with no shortage of playmakers deserving of game balls in what would be their fifth consecutive victory to end the season. 

Clemson had to win this one without star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. and cornerback Nate Wiggins, who both opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Both were missed as Kentucky notched three plays of longer than 40 yards.

In their absence, though, the Tigers got a big performance from junior linebacker Barrett Carter, who pressured Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary throughout the afternoon. Carter recovered a fumble and also intercepted a Leary pass to go with three pass break-ups.

Late in the first half, with Kentucky in possession of the ball with a chance for a late score, Carter dropped Leary for a sack and an eight-yard loss that would force a Wildcats punt two plays later. Carter finished with three tackles (two solo).

Freshman cornerback Shelton Lewis made the game-clinching interception on Kentucky’s final offensive snap, picking off Leary around midfield. Lewis had three solo tackles on the afternoon.

Clemson’s Offensive Players of the Game for the Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Here are our Offensive Players of the Game for Clemson’s Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

Clemson, ranked 22nd, had a thrilling comeback to win 38-35 against Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. The game was intense, and Clemson needed every play and nearly every second. Luckily, the Tigers, with an overall record of 9-4, had plenty of standout players who deserved recognition for their efforts in this game, which marked their fifth consecutive win to close the season.

Despite an uninspiring first half that saw Clemson held to just 55 rushing yards and only 10 points, the Tigers rallied for four fourth-quarter touchdowns, including Phil Mafah’s game-winning 3-yard rush with just 17 seconds remaining.

Mafah finished with 71 yards on 11 carries and four touchdowns, including three scores in the Tigers’ 28-point fourth-quarter rally. Mafah also had a pair of one-yard touchdown runs, plus another score on a 29-yard touchdown scramble.

Mafeh had some help from Will Shipley, though most of Shipley’s big plays came on special teams. Playing in perhaps his final college game, Shipley (11 carries, 29 yards rushing) delivered his two longest kick returns of the year.

He opened the game with a 34-yard return, then did one better with a 60-yard kick return in the fourth quarter that led to a Jonathan Weitz field goal from 52 yards. Weitz’s kick, his second of the game, put Clemson ahead, 30-28, with 4:20 remaining in the contest. Shipley was injured on the kickoff and did not return. He finished with 132 all-purpose yards for the day.

Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik also did his part in the victory, finishing 30-of-41 with 264 yards through the air. Klubnik’s performance included perhaps the biggest play of the game when he found receiver Antonio Williams on a third-and-18 play at midfield that gave Clemson a more manageable fourth-and-2.

Mafah’s five-yard gain on that fourth down kept the Tigers’ drive alive and allowed Clemson to take the lead for good on Mafah’s game-winning score.

Jake Briningstool led all receivers with nine catches to go with 91 yards for the Tigers.

Social media reacts: Phil Mafah breaks records in Clemson’s wild Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Here is how social media reacted to Phil Mafah’s awesome Gator Bowl performance against Kentucky.

Clemson’s 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky was a wild one, and it was highlighted by Phil Mafah’s impressive four-touchdown day.

It was a record-breaking day for Mafah, who took 11 carries for 71 yards and four touchdowns. The four-touchdown performance broke two records: the Gator Bowl touchdown record and Clemson’s bowl game record. Mafah’s performance in this Gator Bowl was a special way for the Tigers’ stud running back to end his 2023 season.

When you perform at the level Mafah did in this Gator Bowl, you are bound to have people talking. Here is a look at how social media reacted to Mafah’s record-breaking day.

Watch: Phil Mafah’s Gator Bowl-winning touchdown run against Kentucky

Watch Phil Mafah’s fourth touchdown of the Gator Bowl, which sealed a Clemson win.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers took down Kentucky 38-35 for a Gator Bowl win behind an unreal performance from running back Phil Mafah, who carried the Clemson offense.

Mafah ran the ball 11 times and gained 71 yards, scoring four touchdowns for a total of 24 points out of the Tigers’ 38. He showed his strength in the red zone, scoring two 1-yard touchdowns and a 3-yard touchdown. Mafah didn’t stop there; he also scored a touchdown with a 29-yard run after a turnover. Mafah played exceptionally well in the Gator Bowl and played a major role in their victory.

Mafah’s game-winner came with seconds left in the fourth quarter, with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley putting his faith in Mafah to get in the end zone on the 3-yard touchdown run. Take a look at Mafah’s game-winning touchdown below.

Social media reacts: Clemson takes down Kentucky in a crazy Gator Bowl win

Here is how social media reacted to Clemson’s crazy Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers just won a crazy Gator Bowl matchup 38-35 over Mark Stoop and the Kentucky Wildcats that has social media humming.

While it was in no way a great-looking game from either team, this matchup was electric with big plays, turnovers, and more. It was a back-and-forth game where each team looked like they would win the game at one point. Of all of the wild bowl matchups we’ve seen this season, this one has to be up there for the craziest.

No matter how you look at this game, a win is a win, and this was a good one for Clemson. It doesn’t always have to be pretty, as what matters is that the Tigers ended this season on a high note.

Here is a look at how social media reacted to this crazy Gator Bowl win.