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CLEMSON, S.C. — When No. 7 Clemson performs sixth-ranked Tennessee within the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30, the Tigers will likely be making their 49th bowl look.
Clemson at the moment owns a 26-22 report in bowl video games, which incorporates enjoying in 4 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Video games. In all, the Tigers have performed for the nationwide championship 5 instances, successful three of them.
Clemson’s first bowl look got here within the 1940 Cotton Bowl, as All-American Banks McFadden led the Tigers to a 6-3 victory over Boston School. Moreover enjoying within the prestigious Cotton Bowl Traditional on two events, the Tigers have additionally made a number of appearances within the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and the CFP Nationwide Championship Recreation.
Beneath is my rating of Clemson’s 26 bowl wins. The rating relies on what every sport meant within the second it was performed, its nationwide relevance and historic context.
Regardless of enjoying in snowy circumstances and freezing temperatures that set data for a Clemson soccer sport, the Tigers snapped a five-game dropping streak in bowl video games with a 49-24 victory over Louisiana Tech in Boise, Idaho.
26. 2001 Humanitarian Bowl: Clemson 49, Louisiana Tech 24
Regardless of enjoying in snowy circumstances and freezing temperatures that set data for a Clemson soccer sport, the Tigers snapped a five-game dropping streak in bowl video games with a 49-24 victory over Louisiana Tech in Boise, Idaho.
Clemson racked up 548 yards of complete offense and set a then school-record with 5 landing passes within the sport. Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler (above photograph) was named the sport’s MVP after finishing 15-of-23 passes for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns. He additionally ran for 57 yards in his remaining sport as a Clemson Tiger.
The Tigers put the sport away with 4 touchdowns within the third quarter, because the 28 factors had been essentially the most in a single quarter for a Clemson crew in a bowl sport.
25. 1993 Peach Bowl: Clemson 14, Kentucky 13
With below a minute to play, Kentucky linebacker Marty Moore intercepted a Patrick Sapp cross, which appeared to have ended the sport. Nevertheless, as an alternative of getting down and securing the win for the Wildcats, Moore determined to maintain operating, which allowed Clemson lineman Stacy Seegars to jar the soccer free. Brent LeJeune recovered the fumble, and with 20 seconds left, Sapp linked with large receiver Terry Smith on a 21-yard scoring cross for a 14-13 victory.
24. 2021 Cheez-it Bowl: No. 19 Clemson 20, Iowa State 13
Cornerback Mario Goodrich (above photograph) was the hero of the day for No. 19 Clemson. First, he returned a 3rd quarter interception 18 yards for a landing and later he sealed the 20-13 victory by stripping the soccer from Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy on a fourth-and-two play with 33 seconds to play.
Initially, Purdy scrambled to transform the fourth down, however as he tried for additional yards, Goodrich poked the ball free, sending it again behind the road to realize. Purdy recovered the ball in need of the primary down, and Clemson took over on downs.
23. 2005 Champs Sports activities Bowl: No. 23 Clemson 19, Colorado 10
Operating again James Davis earned MVP honors after speeding for 150 yards and a landing on 28 carries. His six-yard landing run with 1:38 to play clinched a 19-10 victory over Colorado.
Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, enjoying in his remaining sport at Clemson, threw for 205 yards on 21 of 29 passing. He additionally had a five-yard landing run.
The Clemson defense held the Buffaloes to 124 complete yards, together with 17 internet speeding yards.
22. 2009 Music Metropolis Bowl: Clemson 21, Kentucky 13
Operating again C.J. Spiller (above photograph) had 172 all-purpose yards and scored the game-clinching landing with 10:14 to play, as Clemson knocked off Kentucky, 21-13. The win snapped a three-game dropping skid in bowl video games.
In his remaining sport as a Clemson Tiger, Spiller, a consensus All-American, was named the sport’s MVP as Clemson set bowl data for yards per play (6.6) and yards per carry (5.5).
21. 1986 Gator Bowl: Clemson 27, No. 20 Stanford 21
Clemson raced out to a 27-0 halftime lead after which held on for a 27-21 victory over No. 20 Stanford.
The Tigers ran for 238 yards, whereas quarterback Rodney Williams accomplished 12-of-19 passes for 135 yards. Williams, who was magnificent in operating the triple choice, additionally ran for a landing and was named the sport’s MVP.
20. 1991 Corridor of Fame Bowl: No. 14 Clemson 30, No. 18 Illinois 0
All of the Clemson defensive gamers heard about within the weeks main as much as the 1991 Corridor of Fame Recreation was how they’ve by no means confronted an offense as highly effective as Illinois’. By the top of the sport, all anybody might discuss was how Illinois had by no means seen a protection fairly like Clemson’s.
The 14th-ranked Tigers, who had the No. 1 protection within the nation in 1990, held No. 18 Illinois to 247 complete yards, greater than 150 yards beneath its season common. The Clemson protection even scored a landing when cornerback Arlington Nunn picked off a cross and returned it 34 yards for a landing.
Quarterback DeChane Cameron was named the sport’s MVP after he accomplished 14-of-19 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron additionally led the Tigers with 76 yards on the bottom.
19. 1989 Gator Bowl: No. 14 Clemson 27, No. 17 West Virginia 7
In what turned out to be Danny Ford’s final sport as Clemson’s head coach, the 14th-ranked Tigers beat No. 18 West Virginia the best way Danny Ford appreciated successful video games. They bodily wore down the Mountaineers for a 27-7 victory within the Gator Bowl.
West Virginia quarterback Main Harris, a Heisman Finalist, got here into the sport ranked eighth nationally in complete offense and ninth in passing effectivity however the Clemson protection, led by exterior linebacker Levon Kirkland (No. 44 in above photograph), enabled the shifty Harris to realize solely 17 yards on the bottom and 119 yards within the air on an 11-of-21 passing. Kirkland was named MVP for his efforts, as he had 9 tackles, a five-yard sack, prompted a key fumble, broke up a Mountaineer cross and recorded three quarterback pressures.
Defensive deal with Chester McGlockton recovered a fumble in the long run zone for a fourth-quarter landing. The Tigers scored 17 factors within the fourth quarter to place the sport away. The offense rushed for 257 yards on 61 carries.
Ford completed his Clemson profession with a 6-2 report in bowl video games, with all six wins coming within the state of Florida.
18. 1988 Citrus Bowl: No. 14 Clemson 35, No. 20 Penn State 10
Clemson handed Joe Paterno his worst bowl defeat in a 35-10 victory in Orlando, Fla. The Tigers racked up 499 complete yards with nice steadiness in defeating the defending nationwide champions.
Led by quarterback Rodney Williams, who was named the sport’s MVP, Clemson threw for 214 yards and ran for 285 extra on the bottom. Williams accomplished 15-of-24 passes, whereas operating again Terry Allen ran the ball 11 instances for 105 yards and a landing.
On the time, Clemson’s 25-point victory was the worst defeat of Paterno’s Corridor of Fame profession.
17. 1989 Citrus Bowl: No. 14 Clemson 13, No. 10 Oklahoma 6
Clemson’s protection held Oklahoma to 116 yards on the bottom and to 254 yards general, because the 14th-ranked Tigers surprised the No. 10 Sooners within the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers’ victory marked the primary time a crew from the ACC beat Oklahoma.
The Sooners got here into the sport averaging greater than 350 yards a sport on the bottom from its wishbone assault. Fittingly, it was the Clemson protection that gained the sport when freshman cornerback Dexter Davis knocked down Jamelle Holieway’s cross in the long run zone on the sport’s remaining play.
Operating again Terry Allen rushed for under 53 yards, his season low, however scored the sport’s solely landing and caught 4 passes for 47 yards on his option to being named the sport’s MVP.
16. 1959 Bluebonnet Bowl: No. 11 Clemson 23, No. 7 TCU 7
Clemson earned its first prime 10 victory in a bowl sport, because the No. 11 Tigers took down No. 7 TCU within the Bluebonnet Bowl. The win was additionally the final bowl win and sport for Corridor of Fame head coach Frank Howard.
The Tigers scored 20 fourth-quarter factors, together with a 68-yard Harvey White to Gary Barnes landing, which proved to be the game-winning rating.
Howard completed his Clemson profession with a 3-3 report in bowl video games.
15. 2004 Peach Bowl: Clemson 27, No. 6 Tennessee 14
Chad Jasmin (No. 10 in above photograph) ran for 130 yards, whereas Charlie Whitehurst threw for 246 extra as unranked Clemson surprised No. 6 Tennessee, 27-14, on the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
The win over the sixth-ranked Volunteers was the second over a prime 10 crew that 12 months, the primary time since 1981 the Tigers knocked off two prime 10 groups in a single season. The Tigers additionally beat No. 3 Florida State earlier within the 12 months.
Although Tennessee threw for 384 yards, the Clemson protection held the Volunteers to 38 speeding yards. Jasmin, who additionally had a 15-yard landing run, was named the sport’s MVP.
The Tigers completed the 12 months with 4 straight wins, which pushed them into the ultimate AP Ballot at No. 22.
14. 1951 Orange Bowl: No. 10 Clemson 15, No. 15 Miami 14
Clemson capped its second undefeated season in three years when it up ended Miami, 15-14, within the Orange Bowl. The Tigers’ Sterling Smith, a second-team guard, tackled Miami’s Frank Smith in the long run zone with about six minutes to play for what proved to be a game-winning security.
The Clemson protection held the Hurricanes to 222 complete yards and compelled 4 turnovers. The win allowed the Tigers to complete the 1950 season 9-0-1. Clemson went 11-0 in 1948.
13. 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl: No. 18 Clemson 40, Oklahoma 6
Clemson’s top-ranked protection dominated Oklahoma, whereas quarterback Cole Stoudt (above photograph) and the Clemson offense threw all around the Sooners’ protection in a 40-6 blowout on the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando.
The 34-point win continues to be the Tigers’ largest margin of victory in a bowl sport. The Clemson protection held Oklahoma to 275 yards and even scored a landing when linebacker Ben Boulware had a 47-yard interception return for a landing that gave the Tigers a 17-0 lead within the first quarter. In all, Clemson pressured 5 turnovers.
Defensive deal with Grady Jarrett added 3.5 tackles for loss, whereas defensive finish Vic Beasley had three tackles behind the road.
Stoudt, the sport’s MVP, had a profession day, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The sport additionally marked the debut of Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott as co-offensive coordinators. It was additionally Brandon Streeter’s first sport as Clemson’s quarterbacks’ coach.
12. 1949 Gator Bowl: No. 11 Clemson 24, Missouri 23
Jack Miller’s 34-yard subject purpose within the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning factors, as Clemson held on to beat the Tigers of Missouri, 24-23, to cap an ideal 11-0 season.
Clemson’s good season was this system’s first for the reason that 1900 squad went 6-0.
The nice Fred Cone ran for 2 scores, whereas Bobby Gage threw a 9-yard landing cross to John Poulos to help the Clemson offense. Cone added 72 yards together with his two touchdowns, whereas Ray Mathews rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries. Clemson ran for 186 yards.
11. 2018 Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 30, No. 3 Notre Dame 3
Clemson superior to its second nationwide championship sport in three years, because it beat beforehand undefeated Notre Dame, 30-3, within the Cotton Bowl Traditional.
With Trevor Lawrence (above photograph) operating the present, the Tigers tallied 538 complete yards, together with 327 yards from Lawrence. The true freshman additionally tossed three touchdowns, whereas finishing 27-of-39 passes on his option to MVP honors.
Freshman receiver Justyn Ross hauled in six of Lawrence’s throws for 148 yards, together with two touchdowns. Tee Higgins grabbed a landing cross as properly, whereas operating again Travis Etienne ran for 109 yards and scored on a 62-yard run.
Notre Dame managed simply 248 yards and three factors towards the Tigers’ top-ranked scoring protection.
10. 1940 Cotton Bowl: No. 12 Clemson 6, No. 11 Boston School 3
Clemson launched itself to the nation after an 8-1 common season report in 1939, which included this system’s first Related Press rating. The Tigers’ lone loss got here to No. 5 Tulane. They had been rewarded with an invite to play Boston School within the fourth Cotton Bowl.
The 1939 season not solely resulted in Clemson’s first bowl look, but in addition the Tigers’ first, First-Crew Related Press All-America in Banks McFadden.
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All of the scoring got here within the second quarter. After BC kicked a subject purpose to go up 3-0, Charlie Timmons scored the sport’s lone landing on a two-yard run. From there, the 2 defenses dominated the sport.
Within the fourth quarter, the Eagles drove to the Clemson 11-yard line, however Shad Bryant and McFadden every broke up two passes and Clemson took over on downs. After that, McFadden successfully bottled up the Eagles together with his punting.
McFadden averaged 44 yards on 11 punts, together with kicks of 51 and 55 yards within the second half. The Tigers held on for a 6-3 victory and completed the 1939 season with a 9-1 report.
9. 1978 Gator Bowl: No. 7 Clemson 17, No. 20 Ohio State 15
Clemson went 18 years between bowl video games till the 1977 crew ended that with an look within the Gator Bowl. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh embarrassed the Tigers, souring what was an general good season.
In 1978, the Tigers bounced again and had one of many biggest common seasons in class historical past. They went 10-1 and gained this system’s first ACC Championship in 11 years, together with a No. 7 rating within the AP Ballot. Nevertheless, this time, Clemson was decided to complete the season sturdy, and did it with a brand new head coach.
Danny Ford made his head teaching debut with a 17-15 victory over Ohio State and Corridor of Fame coach Woody Hayes within the Gator Bowl. Nevertheless, the sport is infamously remembered for Hayes punching Clemson center guard Charlie Bauman.
The Buckeyes had been driving to win the sport and confronted a third-and-five on the Clemson 24. That’s when Bauman intercepted Artwork Schlichter after dropping into protection. It was the one interception of Bauman’s four-year profession.
On the return, Bauman was run out-of-bounds in entrance of the Ohio State bench. Hayes helped Bauman off the bottom after which all of the sudden struck the Clemson defender. A scuffle adopted, and consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties had been referred to as on Ohio State.
The Tigers ran out the clock giving this system its first win over a Huge Ten college. The following day Hayes was fired as Ohio State’s head coach.
Clemson’s 11 wins on the time tied a faculty report for wins in a season. The Tigers completed the 12 months No. 6 within the Last AP Ballot, this system’s highest remaining rating on the time.
8. 2014 Orange Bowl: No. 12 Clemson 40, No. 7 Ohio State 35
Clemson pressured 4 second-half turnovers, together with a fumble and an interception on Ohio State’s final two possessions, because it rallied for a 40-35 victory over the Buckeyes within the Orange Bowl.
Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins (above photograph) set Clemson and Orange Bowl data with 16 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns to garner MVP honors, whereas quarterback Tajh Boyd accounted for 505 yards of complete offense and 6 complete touchdowns.
Ohio State took a 29-20 lead with 5:50 to play within the third quarter, however the Tigers rallied to attain 20 of the sport’s remaining 26 factors.
After a Stanton Seckinger landing gave the Tigers a 40-35 lead with 6:16 left, the Buckeyes confronted third-and-13 on the following drive, however defensive again Bashaud Breeland crashed in on a nook blitz and hit quarterback Braxton Miller, jarring the ball free. Linebacker Spencer Shuey snatched it out of the air on the Ohio State 47.
The Tigers gave the ball proper again, as Ohio State got here up with an interception three performs later, however linebacker Stephone Anthony picked off Miller two performs later with a tremendous interception to seal the Clemson win.
7. 2015 Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson 37, No. 4 Oklahoma 17
For a second straight 12 months, and for a 3rd time general, Clemson beat Oklahoma in a bowl sport, this time with it coming within the semifinals of the School Soccer Playoff. The Tigers outscored the Sooners 21-0 within the second half to advance this system to its first nationwide championship alternative since successful all of it within the 1982 Orange Bowl.
Clemson’s protection pressured two turnovers within the second half, interceptions by beginning linebackers B.J. Goodson and Ben Boulware. It was the second straight 12 months Boulware had an interception in a bowl sport, a primary for a Clemson linebacker.
T.J. Inexperienced led Clemson tacklers with 10, however Boulware was named the MVP due to his interception, eight tackles and a sack. Defensive finish Kevin Dodd added 3.5 tackles for loss, together with a sack, as Clemson held the Sooners to only 67 speeding yards on 40 makes an attempt.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (above photograph) completed the afternoon 16 of 31 for 187 yards and a landing, however his 145 yards speeding gave him 332 yards of complete offense.
The win improved Clemson to 14-0 for the primary time in this system’s historical past.
6. 2016 Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 31, No. 3 Ohio State 0
Clemson used a dominating protection and the play of quarterback Deshaun Watson to beat Ohio State, 31-0, within the Fiesta Bowl. It was the worst margin of defeat in a bowl sport in Ohio State historical past.
The Clemson win additionally marked the primary and solely time an City Meyer coached crew was blanked in his Corridor of Fame profession. It was additionally the primary time Ohio State was shut out since 1993. The Tigers held Huge Ten Offensive Participant of the Yr, J.T. Barrett, to 127 passing yards and minus-2 yards speeding.
The Buckeyes completed the sport with simply 215 complete yards.
Issues had been a lot completely different on the opposite aspect of the sphere, as Watson, the offensive MVP of the sport, linked on 26-of-36 passes for 259 yards and a rating. He added 57 yards and two extra scores on the bottom. Operating again Wayne Gallman was Clemson’s prime rusher with 85 yards on 18 makes an attempt and a landing. Vast receiver Mike Williams had six catches for 96 yards, whereas Hunter Renfrow added 5-50.
Defensive finish Clelin Ferrell (No. 99 in above photograph) was named the defensive MVP after he recorded three tackles for loss and a sack.
5. 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl: No. 14 Clemson 25, No. 9 LSU 24
Clemson scored 12 unanswered factors within the fourth quarter, together with a 37-yard subject purpose from Chandler Catanzaro on the final play of the sport to beat LSU, 25-24, within the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Although Catanzaro’s kick in the end gained the sport for Clemson, it was DeAndre Hopkins’ sliding 26-yard catch on fourth-and-16 from the Clemson 14-yard line that’s remembered essentially the most. The Tajh Boyd-to-Hopkins connection stored Clemson’s game-winning drive alive and is a play that can perpetually dwell in Clemson Lore.
Boyd accomplished his subsequent 4 passes after the Hopkins’ catch to arrange Catanzaro for his game-winning kick. Boyd, who was sacked, hit and pressured all night time however stored getting again up, completed that night in Atlanta with 346 passing yards and two touchdowns, whereas finishing 36 of his 50 throws.
Enjoying in his final sport at Clemson, Hopkins (No. 6 in above photograph) hauled in a then Clemson report 13 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns. To not be forgotten was the play of the Clemson protection, which held LSU to 99 speeding yards and 318 yards general. Clemson additionally had six sacks.
Dabo Swinney has usually stated the win over LSU catapulted the Clemson Soccer Program and was the launching level of this system’s rocket up the school soccer rankings.
4. 2019 Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Clemson 29, No. 2 Ohio State 23
The 2019 Fiesta Bowl is arguably essentially the most thrilling bowl win in Clemson historical past. It had all the things. It had large performs, excellent particular person efforts from each groups, a few controversial calls, a dramatic comeback, and a giant cease on the finish, because the Tigers beat Ohio State 29-23.
Within the first matchup of 13-0 groups in CFP historical past, Ohio State ran out to a 16-0 first-half lead, however Clemson minimized the injury by holding the Buckeyes to subject objectives on all three red-zone journeys. Three Blake Haubeil subject objectives and a 68-yard run by J.Ok. Dobbins supplied the 16-point margin with 7:20 remaining within the second quarter.
From that time, Clemson outscored the Buckeyes, 29-7.
The sport turned on a concentrating on penalty on Ohio State’s Shaun Wade that negated a third-down cease to increase a Clemson drive. The Tigers scored on the drive on an eight-yard landing run by Travis Etienne, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence reduce the halftime rating to 16-14 with a career-long 67-yard scoring run on the next drive.
Clemson took its first lead on a 53-yard receiving landing by Etienne within the third quarter. The Buckeyes reclaimed the lead on a 23-yard landing cross to Chris Olave on fourth down within the fourth quarter.
Trailing 23-21, after an alternate of punts, Clemson took the ball at its personal six. Lawrence guided the Tigers 94 yards in 4 performs for the go-ahead landing, which was a 34-yard cross to Etienne with 1:49 to play (above photograph).
Ohio State drove to the Clemson 23, however Clemson’s second interception of the sport, a choose by Nolan Turner in the long run zone, sealed the victory and despatched the Tigers to the nationwide championship sport.
The 16-point come-from-behind win is the most important for the Tigers in a bowl sport and the fifth largest in class historical past.
3. 2019 Nationwide Championship: No. 2 Clemson 44, No. 1 Alabama 16
Clemson grew to become the primary crew within the trendy period of faculty soccer to put up a 15-0 report after dominating beforehand undefeated Alabama, 44-16, within the Nationwide Championship Recreation.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence accomplished 20-of-32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Vast receiver Justyn Ross (No. 8 in above photograph) amassed 153 yards and a rating on six catches, whereas Travis Etienne additionally scored three complete touchdowns, together with two on the bottom.
The Tigers additionally acquired a pick-six from cornerback A.J. Terrell to open the sport.
The Clemson offense was 10-for-11 on third down and completed the night with 482 complete yards. On protection, the Tigers’ top-ranked scoring protection shut out the Crimson Tide within the second half.
The Tigers closed the sport by occurring a ten:04 drive, the longest drive, when it comes to time, in Clemson historical past. The 28-point win marks the worst defeat by a Nick Saban coached crew at Alabama.
The victory gave Clemson its second nationwide championship in three years.
2. 2017 Nationwide Championship: No. 2 Clemson 35, No. 1 Alabama 31
Clemson gained its first nationwide championship in 35 years when Deshaun Watson hit Hunter Renfrow with a 2-yard landing cross with one second to play, lifting the Tigers to a 35-31 come-from-behind victory over Alabama.
Watson led the Tigers on a 9-play, 68-yard drive within the remaining 2:07 to earn the victory. The Clemson quarterback accomplished 36-of-56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns and added 43 speeding yards and one other rating in what is taken into account top-of-the-line championship video games in faculty soccer historical past.
Clemson scored 21 fourth-quarter factors to beat the Crimson Tide, who had leads of 14-0 and 24-14 on the Tigers. What was extra spectacular about Clemson’s comeback was the actual fact Alabama entered the sport first within the nation in scoring and complete protection.
Alabama jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind the operating of Bo Scarborough. He scored on runs of 25 and 37 yards, one in every quarter.
Clemson pulled inside a rating on an eight-yard run by Watson to make the depend 14-7 on the half. Alabama outscored Clemson 10-7 within the third quarter to take a 24-14 lead getting into the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide had gained 97 consecutive video games when having a double-digit lead within the fourth interval.
However the Tigers scored on a pair of touchdowns within the fourth to take a 28-24 lead with 4:38 left. Alabama, on its subsequent possession, drove 68 yards to regain the lead.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts scored on a 30-yard run with 2:07 remaining. Clemson got here again with a 68-yard drive of its personal. The drive included a 24-yard cross to large receiver Mike Williams, a six-yard completion to Renfrow on third-and-three and a 17-yard cross to Leggett that introduced the ball to the Alabama 9 with 14 seconds left.
A cross interference penalty on a cross to Williams in the long run zone introduced the ball to the 2. On the following play Watson hit Renfrow with the sport winner (above photograph).
1. 1982 Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson 22, No. 4 Nebraska 15
Clemson gained the varsity’s first nationwide championship in any sport with a 22-15 victory over Nebraska within the 1982 Orange Bowl. The win accomplished this system’s first good season since 1948.
After not being ranked within the preseason, following a 6-5 marketing campaign in 1980, the Tigers completed the 1981 season ranked No. 1 in each ballot, together with the Related Press Ballot and the United Press Worldwide Coaches Ballot.
Cliff Austin’s 2-yard landing run with 3:56 to play within the second quarter gave Clemson a 12-7 lead, a lead it didn’t give again the remainder of the night time.
Within the third quarter, quarterback Homer Jordan threw an ideal third-down cross to All-American Perry Tuttle for a 13-yard landing, extending the Tigers result in 19-7 with 6:12 remaining within the quarter.
After Billy Davis’s 47-yard punt return, Jordan moved the Tigers to the Nebraska 20 earlier than the drive slowed down. Donald Igwebuike kicked a 36-yard subject purpose, his third of the night time, to place Clemson forward 22-7 with 2:36 to play within the third.
The Cornhuskers made issues a little bit extra attention-grabbing when Roger Craig raced 26 yards for a fourth-quarter landing. However the Clemson protection, led by All-American linebacker Jeff Davis, didn’t permit anything.
Nebraska, who had top-of-the-line offenses within the nation in 1981, completed the night time with 256 complete yards. Davis completed his final sport at Clemson with 14 tackles and recovered a fumble. Defensive finish Invoice Smith, who now sits on Clemson College’s Board of Trustees, recorded a career-high 10 tackles.
Jordan was named the sport’s MVP, as he threw for 134 yards and ran for 46 extra. Moreover his landing cross to Tuttle, his largest play was a 23-yard run on third down that allowed the Tigers to carry onto the soccer for greater than 5 minutes, utilizing all however the remaining six seconds of the clock.
Andy Headen knocked down Nebraska’s Hail Mary cross, which was properly in need of the top zone, to protect the Tigers’ victory and begin a mass celebration in Miami and within the Upstate of South Carolina.
–Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story
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