Ohio State vs. Clemson: Buckeyes jump out to an early Fiesta Bowl lead – The Washington Post

If the final result holds, it’s a enjoy that will be replayed over and more than again on emphasize reels. Trevor Lawrence faked a run then tossed a pop go to Travis Etienne, who ran 34 yards for a score. It was an very efficient go-in advance travel for Clemson. Starting off at their personal six-garden line, Lawrence strike Justyn Ross about the center for 11 yards, then ran for 11 himself. Amari Rodgers caught his very first move of the night and went for 38 yards, and then Lawrence identified Etienne. The Buckeyes have 1:49 left to answer and gain the correct to deal with LSU in the School Football Playoff countrywide championship activity. The Tigers went for the two-level conversion and Lawrence below strain observed Tee Higgins in the again of the end zone.(Clemson 29, Ohio Point out 23, one:forty nine fourth quarter)

Justin Fields bounced back again from his second interception of the yr to find Chris Olave for a 23-property score on fourth and a single. The Buckeyes forced Clemson to punt immediately after the interception, then went 84 yards in 13 plays. The rating helps make the missed 49-garden area goal in the initially quarter from Clemson’s B.T. Potter loom substantial. And the Tigers never have huge confidence in Potter, who has been iffy all year. He is 12-of-19 on the period and 50 per cent on kicks involving thirty and forty nine yards.(Ohio State 23, Clemson 21, 11:forty six fourth quarter)

Clemson’s protection is dominating the second fifty percent. Ohio State has skipped on its past 6 third downs now, and this time — a 3rd-and-eight from just within Tiger territory — Ohio Point out quarterback Justin Fields was intercepted by Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons. It sets the Tigers up at their possess forty seven-property line.(Clemson 21, Ohio Point out sixteen, four:thirteen, 3rd quarter)

Comeback finish: Clemson has clawed its way back again to just take a 21-sixteen lead in excess of Ohio Condition, and it was a further Buckeyes penalty that aided the Tigers get there. Pinned deep in their individual territory, Clemson punted on fourth-and-6, but a roughing the kicker penalty preserved the drive, which went 99 yards in 7 performs. Trevor Lawrence dropped a monitor move off to halfback Travis Etienne, who did the relaxation, jogging 53 yards untouched.(Clemson 21, Ohio Point out 16, seven:fifty four 3rd quarter)

The Buckeyes’ star functioning again tweaked an ankle at the end of the initial 50 percent and a couple plays into the next fifty percent, it is obvious Dobbins is not correct. Jogging a regimen route into the flat and devoid of any defenders all-around him, Dobbins commenced limping. He walked off the field with Ohio Condition health-related team and went straight to the locker home.

A wild conclude to the second quarter had third-seeded Clemson in two points of 2nd-seeded Ohio Condition at halftime of the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes direct, 16-14, following a incredibly hot start out, but the Tigers scored two touchdowns in the last 3 minutes of the 50 %, and will acquire the kickoff to get started the third quarter. Clemson ultimately discovered its footing after a lousy 1st quarter. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence sprinted for a 67-yard landing to close the half. Halfback Travis Etienne a possession earlier stiff-armed his way to pay back dirt for an 8-lawn rating.

Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins dominated on the floor with 142 yards speeding and landing, but dropped two extra sure touchdown passes from quarterback Justin Fields that pressured the Buckeyes to settle for subject aims.(Halftime: Ohio Condition 16, Clemson 14)

The Tigers are appropriate again in this recreation. Trevor Lawrence is seemingly no even worse for the put on after that targeting phone. He took a created quarterback attract right up the center of the Ohio State protection, scooted earlier two defensive backs and galloped sixty seven yards for a rating. Clemson’s protection seems a great deal much better now following keeping the Buckeyes to a number of subject targets alternatively than touchdowns.(Ohio State sixteen, Clemson fourteen, one:10 next quarter)

Could Clemson’s comeback be on? On the possibility participate in, Trevor Lawrence pitched to halfback Travis Etienne, who stiff-armed a defender, then minimize back within to score from 8 yards out. It capped a 10-enjoy, seventy five-yard travel that was aided by two huge Ohio Condition penalties: a focusing on foul on a sack of Lawrence and a go interference simply call deep in Buckeye territory.(Ohio State 16, Clemson seven, two:forty five second quarter)

Ohio Point out cornerback Shaun Wade sacked Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence on 3rd-and-five, and defensive end Chase Youthful arrived in to finish the enjoy. The hit felled Lawrence, who was down on the turf receiving some healthcare focus. Officials charged Wade with a targeting foul and ejected him from the sport. Lawrence returned just after a person snap out of the activity.

The Tigers’ bend-but-don’t-crack protection would be commendable, but that tactic only functions if Clemson’s offense can rating some details. So far, it is been not able to, and Ohio Condition, which blew a different sure landing right after one more drop by J.K. Dobbins, tacked on yet another industry intention from Blake Haubeil.(Ohio State 16, Clemson , 7:twenty 2nd quarter)

The Buckeyes could have had a landing, but J.K. Dobbins couldn’t cling on to a swing pass from Justin Fields in the conclusion zone. As a substitute, Blake Haubeil kicked his second area intention of the sport, this time from 22 yards.(Ohio State thirteen, Clemson , fourteen:eleven next quarter)

The Buckeyes can rating from any place on the industry, and working again J.K. Dobbins just proved it. He took a handoff from Justin Fields and romped sixty eight yards untouched up the center of the protection.(Ohio State 10, Clemson , eight:35 initially quarter)

The Tigers drove to the Ohio Condition 32-lawn line, but that Buckeyes protection held there to drive a 49-garden field aim try from B.T. Potter, which was extensive proper.(Ohio Point out 3, Clemson , eight:forty four 1st quarter)

The Buckeyes begun at breakneck speed, driving 71 yards down to the Clemson four-yard line. But the Tiger defense made a target-line stand and forced a 21-property field purpose from Blake Haubeil.(Ohio State three, Clemson , twelve:03 first quarter)

Ohio Point out gets the opening kickoff and will start off at the twenty five-lawn line.

The Tigers defeated Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl and shattered handfuls of records together the way. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow accounted for eight touchdowns, 7 passing and 1 rushing, and threw for 493 yards.

Wherever: Point out Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

When: 8 p.m. Eastern.

Tv set: ESPN.

Stream: ESPN app

Line: Clemson, -2.

It bears repeating that the Tigers (thirteen-), the countrywide champions two of the final a few seasons, are the only staff in the bracket with players on their roster who’ve participated in a countrywide championship game. The Buckeyes haven’t been again to the Faculty Soccer Playoff closing considering the fact that successful the point after the 2014 year, which is eons in the past in university soccer.

Clemson Mentor Dabo Swinney, meanwhile, has three last appearances and all those two titles to his identify. He won the final on the arm of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was then just a freshman and place alongside one another an additional good season as a sophomore. He’s thrown for 3,172 yards and 34 touchdowns, and hasn’t thrown an interception since the center of Oct, nevertheless he has eight on the season. Managing back Travis Etienne, who himself has played in three playoff games, has eight 100-property video games this time and has rushed for one,500 yards with 17 touchdowns.

Swinney is hoping that blend, as well as a protection that qualified prospects the nation in both of those yards and details permitted, will comprise Ohio Point out, which has proved the skill to open up a big lead in a moment’s observe. Quarterback Justin Fields has thrown for 2,953 yards (the least of any quarterback in the playoff) and 40 touchdowns with one single, solitary interception. Five receivers — K.J. Hill, Chris Olave, Binjimen Victor, Garrett Wilson and Austin Mack — have at minimum 20 catches. Working back again J.K. Dobbins, likely a potential NFL ball carrier, has rushed for one,829 yards (the most of any back in the playoff) and twenty touchdowns.

Ohio State gained all thirteen of its online games this period by double digits, getting to be just the second Soccer Bowl Subdivision group, along with Florida Point out in 2013, to start out a period with 13 straight double-digit wins.

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