Every championship team has that struggle win in a season. Great programs can win without their best games. Clemson won today 34-28 without anything close to the best game. It’s in their DNA. They just find a way to win.
When I suggested last week Clemson was showing some holes against Syracuse, many Clemson fans bristled at me on twitter.
Those concerns were warranted today.
Clemson made inexplicable coaching decisions. Dabo Swinney started chasing points down 28-26, which resulted in 2 failed point after TD attempts and 2 wasted timeouts. Clemson picked up a roughing the passer penalty that negated an interception, and a defensive holding that gave Boston College a first down on 2nd and 27. Then there was an unforced fumble inside the BC 5, that the Eagles returned for a TD. On a fake FG by BC, Clemson was offsides and BC scores a TD soon after.
For Clemson to lose an ACC games to anyone other than Notre Dame it was going to take a ton of Clemson mistakes, and a spectacular effort by the opponent to pull of the upset.
Jeff Hafely’s Boston College played a near flawless first half on their way to a 28-13 halftime lead.
Opportunistic and aggressive they had Clemson rattled especially on the defensive end. BC QB Phil Jurkovec was making play after play.
Frankly speaking Clemson was in more trouble today than when they went down double digits to Alabama or Ohio State in the last two years.
Clemson was lifted by freshman QB D.J Uiagaelei who played like a 3 year starter. Even down 28-10, he never showed an ounce of panic, and led the Clemson comeback. Finally an offensive skill position player besides Travis Etienne, Amari Rodgers, or Trevor Lawrence stepped up. Uiagelei was great, but WR Cornell Powell had over 100 yards receiving. Having another offensive option will be huge for Clemson down the stretch.
Brent Venabales is still Brent Venables and called up a defensive shutout in the 2nd half.
D.J. Uiagaelei will play quarterback against Notre Dame, and while you don’t replace a number 1 NFL pick, the staff and Clemson fans should feel comfortable with him back there.
Clemson will win or lose the game on how clean they play. The Miami / GT version wins 31-14, the Syracuse / BC version is at best a toss-up and more likely a 30-23 type loss.
Clemson was down several players today and still got it the victory. That is what is important.
The Tigers got their mulligan today, they won’t get another one against Notre Dame. They have a week to clean things up.
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