Tag: Gator bowl

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.

Phil Mafah’s four rushing touchdowns break Gator Bowl and Clemson bowl records

Phil Mafah’s four rushing touchdowns set multiple records.

You’ll likely hear a lot about Clemson running back Phil Mafah tonight, and for a good reason: Mafah is a stud and was the key to a Clemson 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

In the Gator Bowl win, Mafah was dominant on the ground, even with his limited workload. Taking just 11 carries on the game, Mafah gained 71 yards and scored four touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 3-yard touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter.

It was not only an excellent performance for Mafah but also historic. Mafah’s four touchdowns in this win broke two records: the Gator Bowl touchdown record and Clemson’s bowl game record. Mafah’s performance in this Gator Bowl will go down as an all-time great bowl game performance in the program’s history.

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.

Dabo Swinney shares an injury update on Will Shipley after Gator Bowl win

Dabo Swinney shared an injury update on Will Shipley, who was on crutches following the Tigers’ Gator Bowl win.

Clemson star running back Will Shipley was injured in Clemson’s 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky, with head coach Dabo Swinney sharing an update on Shipley’s health during his press conference following the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Shipley was injured on a big kick return as he landed awkwardly out of bounds. Shipley was down for a while before being helped up and over to the bench. Here is what Swinney had to say about the injury.

“We’ll do an MRI. It’ll either be tomorrow or the next day,” Swinney said. “We’ll wait and see. But initial reports seem to be encouraging, but you never know until you do the MRI.”

Hopefully, it looked worse than it is for Shipley, who still has a decision to make on his future with the program.

Xavier Thomas shares an emotional farewell message for Clemson fans

Xavier Thomas shared a farewell message for Clemson fans as his time with the program has come to an end.

All good things have to come to an end at some point.

Long-time Clemson defender Xavier Thomas took to social media following the bowl game, sharing an emotional message for Tigers’ fans as his time at Clemson has come to an end after his 6th season with the program.

In his final performance in the Gator Bowl, Thomas recorded a sack and a forced fumble as the Tigers took down Kentucky 38-35 for a wild win. The edge rusher entered the Gator Bowl with 142 tackles (33.0 for loss), nine pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over 60 games (29 starts) from 2018-23.

Check out Thomas’ message below as he reflects on his journey with the Clemson program and thanks fans as he prepares for the next step in his football career.

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.

Five takeaways from Clemson’s wild Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Here are five takeaways from Clemson’s wild Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers took down Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats 38-35 in an absolutely wild Gator Bowl win.

A battle between the ACC and SEC, this matchup wasn’t short of excitement as big plays and big turnovers were huge pieces of this game. Drive after drive, we saw some crazy things happen, and at the end of the day, Swinney and Clemson came out on top in this wild one. 

There is a lot to process from this Clemson performance, with the Tigers earning the win on their final offensive drive. Here are five takeaways from Clemson’s back-and-forth Gator Bowl win over Kentucky. 

Clemson rallies with one final drive as the Tigers win the Gator Bowl over Kentucky

Clemson’s offense performed when they needed it most, winning the Gator Bowl on their final offensive drive.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers won the Gator Bowl 38-35 over the Kentucky Wildcats in a wild, wild game.

It was an eh first half for the Tigers, as the offense struggled on all but one drive, where they went 5-plays for 59 yards and scored a touchdown off one of Phil Mafah’s four rushing touchdowns. The defense did their part but did allow a couple of explosive plays. One of the game’s biggest plays came on a 58-yard pass from Devin Leary to Dane Key, with Key getting away with one of the worst offensive pass interferences I’ve ever seen.

Heading into the locker room trailing 14-10, the Tigers needed to come out strong in the second half. Instead of that, they allowed a 100-yard kick return touchdown to Barion Brown.

In the second half, it was Clemosn’s defense that led the way for as long as they could. On Kentucky’s first three drives of the fourth quarter, the Tigers caused a fumble, interception, and then another fumble. The final turnover of the three led to a 1-play drive for Clemson, where Mafah broke off a 29-yard rushing touchdown.

Then, the secondary fell apart. The Tigers got burned for a 60-yard touchdown and a later 72-yard pass that set up a 1-yard touchdown score for Kentucky. Down 35-30 with one drive left, Cade Klubnik and the offense performed when it mattered most.

Klubnik led the offense 12 plays for 68 yards in the game’s final moments, performing well enough to get the Tigers downfield. Phil Mafah scored his fourth touchdown of the on a 3-yard rushing touchdown, sealing the Tigers victory. Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz was an unsung hero in this one, hitting two field goals, including a 52-yarder that gave this team some life.

The Clemson Tigers are your 2023 Gator Bowl winners.