Clemson still in running for ACC crown, playoffs

Tigers could get rematchwith Irish if they can win out.

No. 4Clemsonwon’tspend its bye week worried about college football’s championship chase after the Tigers suffered their first regularseason loss inthree years.

A sixth straight Atlantic Coast Conference title and third national championship in five years are still clearly within reach for the Tigers, despite Saturday’s 47- 40 double overtime loss at Notre Dame.

“We’re looking forward, nothing behind,” said Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers, a seniorwho lost for just the fourth time in his four seasons. “We’ve learned from the past and we’re going to finishout the season strong.”

The Tigers ( 7- 1, 6- 1 ACC) have aweek off before heading to Florida State on Nov. 21. They play a final home game against Pitt the following week before closing the regular season at Virginia Tech on Dec. 5.

Getthroughthatunscathed andone- lossClemson ( 7- 1,6- 1 ACC) would reach the league championship game for a likely rematchwith theundefeated and second- ranked Fighting Irish.

Clemson holds a head- tohead tiebreaker over No. 9 Miami, handing the Hurricanes their lone loss, 42- 17, last month.

Defeat the Irish for the league crown, whichwould be no easy task given what occurred last week, and Clemson would assuredly return to theCollegeFootball Playoffs for a sixth straight season.

“We’re getting ready to make this championship run,” said quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who watched the game against the Irish from the sideline.

Lawrence is back at meetings and workouts during the bye week after missing the past two games due to COVID- 19. Lawrence spent 10 days in isolation after having a headache and sinus issues, eventually testing positive a few days before Clemson’s game against Boston College on Oct. 31.

Now, Lawrence feels normal, “back to my old self,” he said Monday.

LawrencetraveledtoNotre Damewith the teamafter his quarantine, although protocol for cardiac tests kept him out of the game. Seeing a healthy- lookingLawrenceon the sidelines left somewonderingwhyhewasn’t behind center instead of freshman backup DJ Uiagalelei.

“Youwant todothose ( cardiac) scans,” Lawrence said. “It would’ve been impossible to play Saturday.”

Uiagalelei threw for two touchdowns and 429 yards, the most ever by a quarterback against Notre Dame.

MATT CASHORE/ POOL PHOTOVIA AP Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whowas unable to play, leaves the field after a 47- 40 overtime loss toNotre Dameon Saturday night.