IRISH STAY ON UPSET ROLL
Early blocked punt, two key interceptions help ND stun Tigers
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Prince Kollie scored on a blocked punt, Benjamin Morrison returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown and had another interception to set up another score as Notre Dame earned its second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent, beating No. 5 Clemson 35-14 on Saturday night.
It was just the third win over a top-10 opponent for Notre Dame (6-3) in its last 10 games since 2018. The others were against No. 8 Stanford in 2018 and top-ranked Clemson in 2020. Just as in that 47-40 victory two years ago, fans stormed the field to celebrate.
“We didn’t foresee this game going this way,” coach Marcus Freeman said. ’“I’m happy the kids continue to believe in what we’re doing. Today was one of those special moments.”
The loss ended a 14-game winning streak by the Tigers (8-1), the longest active streak among FBS teams. It was Clemson’s fifth road loss since 2015.
“They just physically kicked our butt. Period. The end,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “They absolutely dominated us in every aspect of football and it starts with coaching, tackling, blocking, you name it.”
Swinney said it was one of his most disappointing games as coach.
“We gave up a score on offense, a score on special teams and a score on defense and that’s the first time that’s happened since I was a head coach,” he said “We just got outcoached in every aspect of football. I wish I could say I saw it coming, but we had a great week of practice, a great week of preparation. But football’s a crazy game.”
Swinney pulled DJ Uiagalelei for a second consecutive game, even though he had completed 13 of 19 passes for 78 yards when he was replaced by Cade Klubnik late in the third quarter. This time it backfired, though, as Klubnik was pressured by Justin Ademilola and his pass was intercepted by Morrison at the 14-yard line. The Irish scored three plays later on Audric Estime’s two-yard run to make it 21-0. Uiagabele returned in the next series and drove the Tigers to the Irish’s 19-yard line before Morrison intercepted the pass to Joseph Ngata at the 4-yard line and returned it for a TD.
With winds of 20 mph, and Drew Pyne struggling in recent games, the Irish leaned heavily on their run game, even though Clemson entered the game ranked seventh nationally against the run, giving up an average of 87.9 yards.
Logan Diggs rushed for 114 yards on 17 carries and the Irish compiled 263 yards rushing, the most rushing yards allowed by Clemson this season. The Irish improved to 5-0 when they rush for more than 200 yards.
Pyne was 9-for-17 passing for 85 yards and added a five-yard rushing touchdown. It was the fourth consecutive game that Pyne failed to complete more than 50% of his passes after completing 74% of his passes in his first three starts.
Uiagalelei finished the game 27for-39 yards for 191 yards. Clemson was held to 90 yards rushing.
The Irish dominated Clemson in the first half with the big play coming when they blocking their fourth punt in the last three games on Clemson’s opening drive. Linebacker Jordan Botelho broke through the line and got two hands on the punt by Aidan Swanson and Kollie caught it in the air and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.