Louisville Cardinals vs Clemson Tigers Match Player Stats On Oct 01, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 2, 2016

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw five touchdown passes, but it was Clemson's defense that saved the game -- and perhaps the season -- for the Tigers on Saturday night.

Cornerback Marcus Edmond knocked Louisville's James Quick out of bounds at the 3-yard line on a fourth-down play with 33 seconds remaining as No. 5 Clemson remained unbeaten with a 42-36 ACC victory over the No. 3 Cardinals before a raucous crowd of 83,362 at Memorial Stadium.

Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC) won its school-record 19th consecutive home game. Louisville (4-1, 2-1) remained winless in three games against Clemson since joining the ACC three years ago.

Clemson's defense was stifling in the first half, sacking Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson -- who was sacked three times in the Cardinals' first four games -- four times in the first half.

The Tigers built a 28-10 halftime lead, but Jackson and the Cardinals' high-powered offense struck back in a big way in the second half, scoring 26 consecutive points for a 36-28 lead with 7:52 remaining.

But Watson and the Clemson offense had the final say. Artavis Scott's 77-yard kickoff return set up Watson's 20-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams with 7:06 left.

After Clemson's defense forced a three-and-out, Watson completed 5-of-6 passes on a game-winning 85-yard drive that culminated with a 31-yard strike from Watson to tight end Jordan Leggett with 3:14 to play.

Watson completed 20 of 31 passes for 306 yards and rushed 14 times for 91 yards while running back Wayne Gallman had 110 yards on 16 carries.

Jackson completed 27 of 44 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 162 yards on 31 carries, including two for touchdowns.

Louisville drove 82 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead on the third play of the second quarter. Running back Jeremy Smith bulled in from the 1-yard line for the touchdown -- only the second first-half touchdown Clemson's defense allowed this season.

Clemson responded in short order after linebacker Ben Boulware recovered a fumble on a high snap at the Cardinals' 45, scoring in just two plays.

Watson tossed a 12-yard pass to Scott on first down, then found wide receiver Deon Cain behind the defense down the left sideline for a 33-yard touchdown to tie the score.

After the teams combined to turn the ball over three times on three consecutive plays, Clemson scored on a 24-yard run by Gallman for a 14-7 lead with 6:09 left in the half, then pushed its advantage to 21-7 on a 37-yard pass from Watson to Cain.

Louisville drove 76 yards in 13 plays before settling for a 26-yard field goal by Blanton Creque that cut Clemson's lead to 21-10, but the Tigers capped the first half by driving 73 yards in 26 seconds for a 28-10 lead on Watson's 3-yard scoring pass to Scott.

NOTES: Clemson S Jadar Johnson had his team-leading third interception of the season with 6:37 left in the first half. ... Clemson RB Wayne Gallman rushed for 139 yards in a win at Louisville last year. ... Louisville S Josh Harvey Clemons led the team with 7.3 tackles per game entering Saturday. ... Louisville LB James Hearns was 10th in the nation with 4.5 sacks entering Saturday.