A potential trap game laid in front of Clemson as the Tigers traveled to Louisville on Saturday afternoon. Even after a slow start, Clemson put away the Cardinals in convincing fashion, picking up the 45-10 win.
The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after B.T. Potter’s 51-yard field goal. However, Clemson’s offense would disappear for the remainder of the quarter. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled to find rhythm early in this game, throwing two interceptions in the first quarter.
Clemson finally got on the board in the second quarter with a Lawrence touchdown pass to Joseph Ngata in the back of the endzone. Lawrence began to find his rhythm in the second quarter as he fired another touchdown pass to Justyn Ross at the end of the first half to give Clemson the 17-3 lead at halftime.
The Tigers continued to struggle in the third quarter despite moving the ball better. Clemson finally broke free when Travis Etienne took a rush 49 yards to the house to put the Tigers up 24-3 late in the third, and that is all Clemson would need to seal this game.
The Tigers normally play third backups in the fourth quarter, but Head Coach Dabo Swinney left the starters in against Louisville. The Tigers would score three minutes into the fourth quarter on a Lawrence touchdown pass to Cornell Powell to go up 31-3. A couple of minutes later, running back Darien Rencher scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard score to put Clemson up 38-3.
Louisville would finally crack the endzone with 5:10 left to play to cut the score to 38-10. The Tigers would respond with a Chez Mellusi touchdown run to bring home the final score.
Clemson struggled early in the game on offense, but the Tiger defense was in prime form today. Clemson forced three Louisville turnovers, including two interceptions. The Tigers also racked up six sacks. Another outstanding defensive performance, which only gave up three points with the first team defense and only 263 yards of total offense.
Offensively, Lawrence finished 20-for-29 with 233 yards and 3 touchdowns along with two interceptions. Etienne exploded for 14 carries, 192 yards, and a touchdown. Justyn Ross had the best day in the receiving group, finishing with five catches, 55 yards, and a touchdown.
Clemson improves to 7-0 (5-0 ACC) as Louisville falls to 4-3 (2-2 ACC). The Tigers will return home next weekend for a homecoming date with Boston College (4-3, 2-2 ACC).
