2016 FIESTA BOWL
CLEMSON 31, OHIO STATE 0
In Ohio State’s long and decorated bowl history, the Buckeyes have only been shut out twice.
The first time was in the 1921 Rose Bowl, their initial postseason game. The next was in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal disaster against Clemson on New Year’s Eve. It was the second Fiesta Bowl in the 2016 calendar year and Clemson’s second postseason game in metro Phoenix in the same 12 months.
The Tigers lost 45-40 to Alabama in January 2016 in the CFP title game at State Farm Stadium. They came back with a vengeance, ranked No. 2 and dominating No. 3 Ohio State at every stage: up 10-0 after the first quarter, 17-0 at halftime, 24-0 after three quarter and 31-0 at the finish.
“We’re a better team because we have more competitive depth,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We have more guys that can go play winning football.”
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 259 yards and ran for 57, overcoming two interceptions to earn offensive Player of the Game.
The Tigers led 470-215 in total yards, limiting the Buckeyes to eight yards rushing and 88 total in the first half. “Ohio State is not used to this. I’m not used to this, and we will not get used to this,” said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after the first shutout of his head coaching career. “That’s not going to happen again.” The Buckeyes finished 11-2 and dropped to No. 6 in the final AP poll.
Clemson backed up the semifinal rout by edging No. 1 Alabama 35-31 in their CFP Championship Game rematch for a 14-1 season and its first national title since 1981.