Dabo proven right by freshman QB

NO. 2 CLEMSON 30, NO. 3 NOTRE DAME 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — When Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney entrusted a team with championship aspirations to freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence in September, this is what the Tigers’ coach had in mind.

Lawrence threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 2 Clemson beat No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3 on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl to reach the College Football Playoff

title game. The Tigers (14-0) will play in the title game Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, Calif.

“He’s just so poised. He just sees it. And he’s got a

gift of an arm,” Swinney said. “But I just love his humility and how consistent he is with his preparation, day in and day out. Easy, easy guy to coach. Easy guy to get behind and support. His teammates love him.”

Clemson’s overpowering and experienced defensive line, led by ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, smothered Ian Book and the Fighting Irish (12-1), holding them

to 248 yards.

On offense, freshmen led the way. Lawrence, making his 10th career start, was 27 for 39 and did not throw an interception against a Notre Dame defense that had been one of the best in the country. Freshman receiver Justyn Ross had 6 catches for 148 yards and 2 long touchdowns.

“It makes it a lot easier on me when you just have guys all around you who are such great players and take that load off of you. There’s not much pressure when you have

guys this good playing around you,” Lawrence said.

The Irish hung around for a quarter, with the teams exchanging field goals. But in the first quarter, Notre Dame All-America cornerback Julian Love went out with what Coach Brian Kelly said after the game was a head injury, and Lawrence started taking apart the Irish.

Hee hooked up with Ross deep down the sideline and the big receiver beat Love’s backup, Donte Vaughn, for a tackle-breaking,

52-yard score early in the second quarter. The Irish looked as if they might keep it close going into halftime, but they couldn’t keep Clemson out of their backfield — even without suspended star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

In the final two minutes, Trevor Lawrence connected with Ross on a 42-yard score and with Tee Higgins for a one-handed, 19-yard touchdown reception — again over Vaughn — with two seconds left in the second quarter. Lawrence was 13 for 15 for 229 yards in the quarter.