[ad_1]
Clemson continues to be in a category of its personal within the ACC.
The highest-ranked Tigers welcomed No. 7 Miami to city on Saturday night time and got here away with a commanding 42-17 win.
And if it weren’t for just a few Clemson errors, the rating would have been much more lopsided. The one time Miami reached the tip zone earlier than rubbish time got here on a self-described “horrible” choice from head coach Dabo Swinney.
Swinney despatched his subject purpose staff onto the sphere for a 61-yard attempt within the remaining seconds of the primary half. Predictably, the low-trajectory kick was blocked, scooped up by Miami and returned for a landing as time within the first half expired.
The play, certainly one of three blocked subject objectives for Miami within the recreation, gave the Hurricanes a quick shred of hope that they might pull a big highway upset, however it might not final lengthy.
The groups traded punts to open the second half, till Travis Etienne made a play solely he might make. The All-American operating again tight-roped the sideline and exploded for a ridiculous 72-yard landing.
It was certainly one of many highlight-reel performs for Etienne on the night. He rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns whereas additionally catching eight passes for 73 yards within the win. Trevor Lawrence threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to eight completely different targets within the course of. Tight finish Braden Galloway led the best way with 74 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
His first got here on a nifty throwback display screen the place all the offensive line froze earlier than getting out within the open subject to information Galloway to the tip zone.
It was a play that set the tone as Clemson completely outplayed one other outmatched opponent. Miami, although, has clearly proven enchancment. Final yr, the Hurricanes limped to a depressing 6-7 end that included a 14-0 loss to Louisiana Tech within the Independence Bowl.
Within the offseason, Manny Diaz introduced in D’Eriq King, a graduate switch quarterback from Houston, and Rhett Lashlee as his offensive coordinator. That pairing was on show in Miami’s 3-0 scorching begin, however by no means had a lot of an opportunity in opposition to the Tigers. King rushed for 84 yards and a rating, however was simply 12-of-28 for 121 yards and two interceptions by means of the air.
It was simply additional proof of how broad the hole is between Clemson and the remainder of the convention. And it’s probably that Swinney gained’t face a ranked staff till Nov. 7 after they must journey to face Notre Dame, which is at the moment ranked No. 5 within the nation.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns within the win over Miami. (Photograph by Dannie Partitions/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
Extra from Yahoo Sports activities:
[ad_2]
supply