Clemson Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals Match Player Stats On Sep 17, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 17, 2015

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- In its first real test of the year, No. 11 Clemson sputtered offensively most of the game but did enough to survive Louisville's upset bid.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the third quarter, as the Tigers squeaked out a 20-17 Atlantic Coast Conference win Thursday night at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Watson, who completed 21 of 30 attempts, connected with tight end Jordan Leggett for a 25-yard scoring strike with 2:37 left in the third to snap a 10-10 tie.

Running back Wayne Gallman added 139 yards on 24 carries for Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC), which got 36- and 27-yard field goals in the second half from placekicker Greg Huegel that helped thwart the tough-luck Cardinals (0-3, 0-1).

Louisville, which has lost its three games by a total of 13 points, pulled within three points with 9:41 to go in the fourth quarter on a 100-yard kickoff return by freshman wide receiver Traveon Samuel.

The Cardinals got the ball back with 6:34 left and marched to the Tigers' 21, but senior kicker John Wallace hooked a 38-yard field-goal attempt wide left with 2:28 remaining.

Louisville stopped Clemson and got possession back with 1:12 left. The Cardinals reached the Tigers' 37, but a sack by end Kevin Dodd and an interception by strong safety Jadar Johnson as time expired sealed Louisville's fate.

Clemson was lightly tested in home blowouts of Wofford and Appalachian State, and it wasn't sharp from the outset. Watson threw two interceptions, the second setting up Louisville's first touchdown early in the third quarter on a 1-yard plunge by running back Jeremy Smith.

Cardinals quarterback Kyle Bolin, the team's third different starter under center, connected on 19 of 34 passes for 238 yards with two interceptions.

After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson broke the scoring seal with 13:12 left in the first half as Watson found wide receiver Hunter Renfrow open down the middle for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Louisville punted on its first six possessions but finally produced points with 1:29 remaining in the half as Wallace connected on a 26-yard field goal.

The score was set up when Bolin and wide receiver Jaylen Smith hooked up on a 55-yard completion to the Tigers' 15. Earlier in the second quarter, Smith dropped a potential 52-yard scoring strike.

NOTES: Clemson C Ryan Norton (knee) sat out with a sprained MCL and was replaced by Jay Guillermo. ... This game marked the fourth consecutive year that the Tigers opened their ACC schedule on the road. ... Louisville WR James Quick (sprained ankle) missed his second game in a row. He was injured Sept. 5 in the season opener against Auburn.