In the first half ND weathered the storm after an initial Clemson surge. Two straight scores for Clemson, not much after that. Unfortunately, ND couldn't get the ball moving, although it's fair to say that ND missed a few WIDE OPEN receivers way downfield. That's where Kizer's inexperience showed. Could have been an easy score towards the end of the first half.
The second half started horribly for ND. Turnover on the KO return, something rare for our unit. Clemson goes in and scores. Second possession, same thing. Fumble on the run by CJ, and again Clemson gets the ball. Fortunately, ND's defense stopped them there to keep the score fairly recuperable at that point of the game. Luke had an interception followed by an ND score on a nice play by Procise, but at that point the game still didn't look out of control for Clemson. When Kizer scored I had some hope, but he followed up a good play with an interception......... Later ND drove to about the three with a few minutes left and another TO. Insane. What an emotional rollercoaster. They had one last chance with a minute left. Barring the turnovers, where was this offense in the first half? They pretty much moved it at will. The turnovers destroyed them in the second half....otherwise ND could have won it in regulation.
Quickly on the main matchup, Fuller was wiped out of the game. He had a few passes thrown his way...wasn't really targeted that much and when he was, he dropped the ball. The multiple chunk plays that ND usually has were not there for the entire game like they needed to be.
From what I saw, there were drops all over the place by both teams that could have meant scores....more by ND unfortunately. Long story short Clemson came prepared to play. They won the turnover battle 4-1 and still ND was able to stay in the game until about 2 minutes to go.......The extra time helped Clemson out for sure, along with Kizer's inexperience. I wasn't impressed by the crowd. I was hearing all sorts of hype about incredible atmosphere, etc. At points, it was great.....however, from what I've watched from ND, they've played in much louder environments. That being said, great game by Clemson...they were better for a longer part of the game and won a good one. Turnovers were the absolute key to the game.
The second half started horribly for ND. Turnover on the KO return, something rare for our unit. Clemson goes in and scores. Second possession, same thing. Fumble on the run by CJ, and again Clemson gets the ball. Fortunately, ND's defense stopped them there to keep the score fairly recuperable at that point of the game. Luke had an interception followed by an ND score on a nice play by Procise, but at that point the game still didn't look out of control for Clemson. When Kizer scored I had some hope, but he followed up a good play with an interception......... Later ND drove to about the three with a few minutes left and another TO. Insane. What an emotional rollercoaster. They had one last chance with a minute left. Barring the turnovers, where was this offense in the first half? They pretty much moved it at will. The turnovers destroyed them in the second half....otherwise ND could have won it in regulation.
Quickly on the main matchup, Fuller was wiped out of the game. He had a few passes thrown his way...wasn't really targeted that much and when he was, he dropped the ball. The multiple chunk plays that ND usually has were not there for the entire game like they needed to be.
From what I saw, there were drops all over the place by both teams that could have meant scores....more by ND unfortunately. Long story short Clemson came prepared to play. They won the turnover battle 4-1 and still ND was able to stay in the game until about 2 minutes to go.......The extra time helped Clemson out for sure, along with Kizer's inexperience. I wasn't impressed by the crowd. I was hearing all sorts of hype about incredible atmosphere, etc. At points, it was great.....however, from what I've watched from ND, they've played in much louder environments. That being said, great game by Clemson...they were better for a longer part of the game and won a good one. Turnovers were the absolute key to the game.
