Clemson Holds Off Notre Dame, Swinney Triumphs Over Tyler

Clemson defeats Notre Dame 31-23 to end a two-game losing streak, with Phil Mafah running for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Clemson, South Carolina - In a thrilling game on Saturday, the Clemson Tigers defeated the No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-23 to end a two-game losing streak. Phil Mafah, filling in for the injured Will Shipley, had a career-high performance with 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers entered the game with a disappointing 5-4 record, their most losses in a season in 13 years. They were also facing criticism from a radio caller named "Tyler from Spartanburg," who called out head coach Dabo Swinney. Swinney's strong response to the criticism seemed to fire up the team.

Mafah's touchdowns, runs of 41 and 1 yard, gave Clemson a comfortable lead of 31-16 in the third quarter. Notre Dame managed to close the gap with a 26-yard scramble score by Sam Hartman. However, Clemson's special teams and defense stepped up, downing punts inside the Notre Dame 15-yard line four times and keeping them pinned in their own territory.

Notre Dame had a last chance to score when Mafah fumbled with 1:47 left in the game. However, Hartman threw four incomplete passes, giving the ball back to Clemson with just 58 seconds remaining. Clemson successfully ran out the clock, securing the victory and sparking a celebration among the fans in Death Valley.

This win was significant for Swinney, as he surpassed Frank Howard for the most wins in Clemson history with 166. It was also a disappointing night for Hartman, who has never beaten Clemson in his career, going 0-5 against them while playing for Wake Forest.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson's quarterback, had a solid performance with 109 passing yards and a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Brown. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also made a big impact with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown, extending Clemson's lead to 24-6 in the second quarter.

Hartman struggled throughout the game, completing just 12 of 25 passes for 146 yards and two interceptions. This loss marked the first time an unranked Clemson team had defeated a ranked opponent since 2021 when they beat No. 13 Wake Forest, led by Hartman.

Clemson entered the game on a low note, having suffered back-to-back losses to Miami and North Carolina State. They were also missing several key starters, including Shipley, who was in concussion protocol after a hit in the previous game.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame will have a week off before facing Wake Forest on November 18. Clemson will continue their three-game homestand with a matchup against Georgia Tech next Saturday.

Overall, this victory brings hope to Clemson as they strive to make it to the ACC title game. With strong performances from their offensive line and a dominant defense, the Tigers have shown that they can live up to their preseason expectations of contending for an eighth ACC title in nine years.