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Notre Dame Football

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

December 19, 2020
88,219

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

88,203 Views | 902 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Wyrick11
pbrad28
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Yes!
Rwolf101
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Holy moly!

Great time for Kyle's first pick of the year!
ohiondfan
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Does anyone know if Chris Fowler and Travis Etienne are sharing a room for the weekend?
REMND
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That could get into TL's head.
Sgt Hulka
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That's such a huge stop.

Just shows them TL or no TL they're in for a fight
toliver0917
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wAIt UNTiL WE GEt trEvor LaWreNce BACK
pbrad28
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O has to get it done!
Sgt Hulka
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toliver0917 said:

wAIt UNTiL WE GEt trEvor LaWreNce BACK


Outstanding!!!
mattfreeman
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Staff
Don't forget to swing by the Coaches Corner

https://irishsportsdaily.com/forums/1/topics/54856
Donnymo
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10 straights passes - they know they can't run!

Was bound to happen.

And it won't be the last pick of the day im telling you now!
sulli1697
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Im in a box with 12 Clemson guys and me
ohiondfan
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Great job by White getting his hands up. Better play by Hamilton reacting. 5 stars are gonna 5 star.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Benny Skow!
ohiondfan
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Only if you promise Coach D isn't one of the coaches.

mattfreeman said:

Don't forget to swing by the Coaches Corner

https://irishsportsdaily.com/forums/1/topics/54856
Sgt Hulka
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mattfreeman said:

Don't forget to swing by the Coaches Corner

https://irishsportsdaily.com/forums/1/topics/54856


NO! I'm here to annoy you Matty!
Rwolf101
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sulli1697 said:

Im in a box with 12 Clemson guys and me

That's Fowler's dream scenario.
mattfreeman
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Staff
mattfreeman
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Staff
Kyren Williams. Good at football. +24
ohiondfan
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Rwolf101 said:

sulli1697 said:

Im in a box with 12 Clemson guys and me

That's Fowler's dream scenario.


Under rated joke here. Hahaha
toliver0917
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But.. but.. they have trevor lawrence and mike jones and james skalski back

Rwolf101
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Clemson's defense is soft.
ohiondfan
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There's a couple Clemson jock straps on the field after that play. Wow.
toliver0917
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trevor lawrence should stay to avoid the jets and then have DJU join the good guys
Sgt Hulka
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Gotta get 6. FG's are for sucks
ohiondfan
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Is that Charlie Weis?

toliver0917 said:

But.. but.. they have trevor lawrence and mike jones and james skalski back


ejsjr
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Kyren can really shake 'n bake.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Red zone offense still a struggle for Notre Dame.
Rwolf101
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Book had McKinley but wasn't looking.
Rwolf101
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That's a terrible miss.

Bad red zone offense so far.
tayirish14
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Geez, so beautiful until the end...you got be kidding me
pbrad28
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What a waste
mattfreeman
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Staff
Jon Doerer 24-yard field goal no good.

Notre Dame 3
Clemson 0

1:42 | 1Q

Irish red zone offense needs execution. Proved they can move the ball for 5 quarters and 2 OTs vs. Clemson, but need to finish.
ejsjr
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Missed a GD fricken' extra point.
jmsheridan
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Hate him
Firefighter8196
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Good lord! Come on doerer
 
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