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Notre Dame Football

Game Thread | No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Clemson

December 19, 2020
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No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Clemson | ACC Championship Game

Bank of America Stadium | 4:00 p.m. ET | ABC

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth Chart Schedule |Staff Predictions 


Part II

Most folks had Notre Dame-Clemson meeting on November 7th circled on their calendar for a year (if not more) and it delivered with a double-overtime thriller. It’d be hard to top part two, but it’s clear both teams have chips on their shoulders entering Saturday’s ACC Championship Game in Charlotte. 

Clemson is out for revenge as they would love nothing more than to make up for the loss in South Bend as they’ll have several key pieces back this time around. Notre Dame enters the game as a double-digit underdog and has yet to get the national respect despite winning the game in November. 

Folks can talk about Trevor Lawrence all they want and while his presence can’t be understated, the return of Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis is much more significant. Davis is a special talent and he’ll be facing the weakest link on the Notre Dame offense as the Irish are missing starting center Jarrett Patterson. Josh Lugg looks to get the nod and while experienced, he lacks experience at center. If Davis can cause havoc up the middle, Notre Dame’s offense could struggle as those running lanes Ian Book loves to take will be less frequent and the run game will also be challenged. 

Notre Dame can play physical and if they bring it as they did the first time around, the Irish will compete. Clemson’s offensive line can be taken advantage of and Notre Dame knows it. 

It’s also worth noting, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea has accepted the Vanderbilt head coaching job, while Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott will interview for the Auburn head coaching gig on Sunday. 


Players To Watch

Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams
He's been a difference-maker all season and that especially stood out with his performance against Clemson running and in blitz pickup. Notre Dame will need him to be just as good today to get the win.

Clemson WR Cornell Powell
He's been a beast over the last four games. He's averaging close to 20 yards per reception and 133 yards per game. In the previous matchup, he had two receptions over 50 yards. Notre Dame can't let him go off like he did last time. The Irish need Clarence Lewis to play his best game of the season.

Notre Dame DE Ade Ogundeji
The pass rush wasn't good enough until the very end of the last game. They'll need a better performance to make an impact against Trevor Lawrence and it starts with Ogundeji. Lawrence is only a 37% passer when pressured this season.

Clemson LB James Skalski
Skalski is a player to watch not just because he's the quarterback of their defense or because he missed the previous game. It's also because he hasn't looked right since coming back from injury and he had to leave the game against Virginia Tech early. His backup is out and if Skalski isn't close to his best, it could go from a plus to a minus.


Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams:
“We know as an offense that no matter what it is, we have to establish the run by any means. We're going to get that done, so we can open up more plays down the field."

"We have to be consistent. Play the band of football we know how to play and execute to a high level and make no mistakes. We know what we have to do and we're going to do what we got to do." 

Notre Dame DE Daelin Hayes:
"At the end of the day, you have to go play ball. Your ball is going to speak for itself. Playing ball the right way, the brand of football we like to play - that's going to put us where we need to be. 

"As long as we stay focused on that - we go out and play hard and the standard of the brotherhood, then the narrative, the stories, this and that will all take care of itself." 

Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton:
"I even just got reminded he was the head coach at Vanderbilt today. I had kind of forgot. It's obvious he's still focused on Notre Dame and winning a championship here."  

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly: 
"Our mission is to graduate and win championships. So this is part of what we build this for. This is the culmination of this long season, and we're not there yet. WE have not fulfilled the goal that we all got when we were afforded this very unique opportunity. We're extremely grateful that the ACC has given us this opportunity. It's like anything else, you want to finish the deal. Our guys want to finish it off with an ACC Championship.”


For Your Nerves 

TEAM STATS Notre Dame Clemson
Points Per Game 37.7 46.0
Points Allowed Per Game 17.1 18.3
Total Yards 474.4 504.3
Yards Passing 239.4 346.0
Yards Rushing 235.0 158.3
Yards Allowed 314.5 302.0
Pass Yards Allowed 214.8 196.6
Rush Yards Allowed  99.7 105.4

Game Thread | No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Clemson

88,215 Views | 902 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Wyrick11
irishinutah
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mattfreeman said:

Defense gets another stop.

Lol..this team is horrible
mattfreeman
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Staff
Mayer fumbles. Mayer recovers. Aaron Banks almost ended multiple lives.
Rwolf101
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That's a foolish take. This team is good. Clemson is very good. That's the difference.
ejsjr
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NEVER give up the first down for a grandstanding move!
maximus
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Fowler is a stroke job too
What do I know?
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These long developing play are not working at all.
mattfreeman
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Staff
3rd-and-7 - Book runs for 60000000 yards and no one got open.
pbrad28
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What the hell is that
Pumas64
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We are really being out coached and out played,
mattfreeman
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Staff
mattfreeman said:

3rd-and-7 - Book runs for 60000000 yards and no one got open.
And Skowronek gets called for a blindside block.
TripperHarrison
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Comical
mattfreeman
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Staff
Not sure why Notre Dame hasn't played Lawrence Keys III, Braden Lenzy and Joe WIlkins.
ejsjr
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Throw the ball, Book! What the hell are you doing?
pbrad28
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What was wrong with thst
jtthedomer
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Tommy Rees has been absolutely horrible in his preparation for this game.He knew what Clemso would do with pressure and has make no adjustments. His playcalling and game plan for today's game would make Chip (High School) long impressed.I mean a HS offensive Coordinator knows you got to make Ckemson pay for blitzing by screens and quick hitters.He's having brain farts in his ridiculous playcalling and preparation for this game. BK , needs to over ride Tommy's playcalling.
ejsjr
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Go schlurp up some hominy grits, Dabo.
Rwolf101
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mattfreeman said:

Not sure why Notre Dame hasn't played Lawrence Keys III, Braden Lenzy and Joe WIlkins.

Why start now? Lol
maximus
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Another stroke job...Dabo
NDFan1
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is it the playcalling or the execution?
irishinutah
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Rwolf101 said:

That's a foolish take. This team is good. Clemson is very good. That's the difference.

Your definition of good is a lot different then mine...the 93 ND team was good
TripperHarrison
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NDFan1 said:

is it the playcalling or the execution?
Yes
pshakes831
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Coaching mismatch
goldendomer21103
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NDFan1 said:

is it the playcalling or the execution?

Both
SWANSEA
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NDFan1 said:

is it the playcalling or the execution?
Both.
JoeDomer
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We had success early on with a three step drop and quick passes. Why have we nor gone back to that ?
lake erie irish
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Rees looks like he doesn't belong in a game like this. His offense looks worse.
irishtank6900
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Can't win big in 2020 if you don't have guys that can win stretching the field
ndSlaw
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Remember, this is the same offense that to an Ian Book scramble to score is only td against louisville. They live and die by Book on broken plays
irishinutah
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Is there still a weedeater bowl?
smoodiver
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irishtank6900 said:

Can't win big in 2020 if you don't have guys that can win stretching the field


But we are getting whipped up front.
irishtank6900
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irishinutah said:

Rwolf101 said:

That's a foolish take. This team is good. Clemson is very good. That's the difference.

Your definition of good is a lot different then mine...the 93 ND team was good


The 93' team was not good, it was great
ejsjr
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mattfreeman said:

Not sure why Notre Dame hasn't played Lawrence Keys III, Braden Lenzy and Joe WIlkins.


Ditto! Or McKinley, or Davis or tbrown any kind of screen. Oh, you say McMinley and Davis are playing?
mavscoach
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You dont block tackle or execute makes plays look bad
scUMsux
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Who woulda thought Bramblett would be team MVP tonight?
covingtonjs
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So Dabo is allowed to be on the field during plays? And the refs pick up flags for textbook PI if Dabo yells enough? Got it.
 
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