Clemson vs. Pittsburgh Full Game | 2018 ACC Football Championship

here as this game unfolds could be a factor in the kicking game in for the quarterbacks tonight the Clemson punch a ticket of the Panthers pull a big surprise [Applause] like most of customers kickoff set is a touchback sir comes Trevor Lawrence 22 touchdowns four interceptions a CC newcomer of the year in a landslide vote yes 6 6 to 15 we've been watching him bro since the beginning of the year took over for Kelly Bryant early and I think right now playing his best football seems to be in real command to the offense doing a really good job against blitz is and that's what he's going to see tonight Pat Arduinos they've got to bring pressure they've got a load the line of scrimmage against the run try to come after the young quarterback has it looked like a freshman all season long this is ninth start expects to handle the championship game nerves just fine tonight and it's Travis ezm look equal group on the right side finding it each end of the secondary foot race they will catch him in the tiger score on the opening play 75 yards [Applause] well that's how you get championship weekend started for the Clemson Tiger I got the ban in the ACC championship [Applause] I mean doomsday thing that could happen to Pitt as a big underdog is to give up a long touchdown run to travis ET in his 20th rushing touchdown of the season extending his function single-season record the tick of 13 seconds here go with the conversion as he exploded around the right in the center fosston le does a good job he's right in the middle he'll get a blocked it pushes it to the outside and you'll see him cut underneath that other than 50 getting that block it's really just getting a hat on a hat and then you're talking about maybe one of the most unique running backs in college football when he gets a crease and he has room to be able to build up that acceleration it's so tough on the secondary especially in these conditions on a slippery field to try to deal with that speed he's a Heisman Talent Kirk he doesn't have a heavy workload only his hundred and sixty fifth carry of the season Davo says he's just fine with that travis has not seek the spotlight very humble modest guy but the the raw talent is just astonishing and after they way they played against South Carolina last week you know that there was a lot of energy at Clemson this week especially with their defense who's about to come out on the field they wanted to prove a point today and they got off to a pretty good start obviously longest play of scrimmage season the longest that the Panthers have allowed beatsie Potter boots it away because I always love this watch Trevor Lawrence simple inside zone read he's 45 50 60 yards downfield trying to find somebody to get in front of the trying to pick up there's no block in the back exactly but I just love the young freshman lead it you got the guys will see that in the film room and they'll really respect the fact he's 50 60 yards downfield trying to pick up a block on a safety well when you win the toss to defer you run the risk that your office is going to take the field behind and here comes Kenny Pickett the sophomore from jersey shore near bruce springsteen's hometown of Asbury Park quadri Ellison is the back that they're throwing in the first play of the game try to swing it out wide and it's incomplete Rafaela rutile locust was covered by que já davon Wallace Pickett is a quarterback that made his first start last year against the Miami Hurricanes the day after Thanksgiving is this year really grow and I think things are beginning to slow down like most quarterbacks through a lot of reps loves to move outside of the pocket athletic guy and against this clemson defense they've got to be able to get him on the edges especially in obvious passing situations and tonight he's got to be a very good complement to the running game anther shift around on second at 10:00 here is olesen and he stopped behind the line flying downhill was Isaiah Simmons and Dexter Lawrence plug the middle where this offense has their hands full remember they are a one-dimensional attack they like to run the lean on this offensive line they have got to do a good job up front Oleson and halt there are two backs max the most explosive receiver on the outside 11 and French you'll see him outside not only in opportunities to catch the ball also use him a lot in jet sweeps eleven this predominantly Clemson crowd making noise because pressure pickin trying to survive and cat he is going to be sacked by Dexter Florence what a series for the veteran tackle this offensive line lost their leader Jimmy Morrissey to Center din Tino has had to move over to Center new left guard you see Christian Wilkins fighting through that gap but this is a defense that has a lot of pride they gave up over 600 yards last week to South Carolina 510 through the air they are fired up and Brent Venables is fired up to get back out on his field Kirk Christodoulou of the Aussie punter has had problems this year at sloppy conditions from his goal line delivers a low poot it's pretty good it's going to force some Aria Rodgers to feel that on the bounce inside the 35 Rodgers chip games 7 nothing on the lightning strike by etn in the first play and now they hand it off spelling him with the veteran it's a short game by Feaster so this plums an offensive line Mitch Hyatt second consecutive year when the Jacobs Trophy is the best blocker in the ACC pasta Nellie and a leader there in the middle what a talented group of receivers etn already the big run Higgins on the outside Renfro option routes in the inside along with Rogers [Applause] they think it to be a certain Lawrence is going to look the ball down the T Higgins couldn't come up with it on a wet night I'm just missed that's a perfect room actually really tight coverage and good coverage by Pitt here in Pennock but watch this ball drop right over the shoulder right into Higgins who is an outstanding receiver usually pulls that in just could not get control of the ball and Pitt catches a break there only his third drop all season long as he said very short-handed and now Panthers defense the Chiefs to get off the field Tigers need seven on third no blitz Lawrence rolls and delivers a short throw but well short of the marker is Treveon Thompson with that that's a huge win for Pitt after giving up that first touchdown show their goal tonight is try to get the freshman quarterback as talented as he is to third down and give him a lot of different looks that time they showed pressure came out of it just kind of sat back in his zone and forced him to get rid of the football and there's well short of that first down senior from Florida speedy receiver Rafaela Rural Oaks is the punt returner who aspires gets a lot less work as a punter than the Clemson kickoff man gets this season missed his fiftieth punt all year rolls out boots it right along the ground right off the bat the put the cover and and it just stops dead at the 35 hit and write the numbers I think that was the Snapple is running downfield it's a weird weird line drive from spires remember the field conditions are gonna cause issues tonight for the specialist this is funky yeah I don't even think I don't even think it had to do with the conditions at all I think he just hit it just missed it Pitt gets good field position here click over at the 39 after the 15 yard punt get the bomb at the edge - daran hall part of that talent at backfield they like to use these backs as receivers but trailer bars out there in the edge make it a flood trying to get the ball to the outside because this defensive front is as good as you'll see in college football led by the leadership of Wilkins Ferrell gives the pressure 99 tre Lamar and Kendall Joseph and this type of game will make a lot of plays against the run very talented group on the back end they need to step up wasn't their best effort last week against South Carolina Brent Venables talking about some missed assignments and blown assignments I'm going to look to play better tonight 500 yard passing game they gave up for the Gamecocks and Venables used some strong works Kirk he used quote asinine ignorant to describe some of his own adjustments as well as the team's play and they gave up some explosive you're just not used to seeing touchdown plays of 60 77532 20 not a 1 and demo said that they won big by three touchdowns but the defense I'm sure had a pretty hectic and emotional week at the practice field this week to get ready Panthers of course a much different style the last thing they want to do though is put themselves behind the sticks part of the staff delay a game so you got a four yard loss and then back-to-back five yard penalty yeah they'd start think about getting that opportunity the way this game started Clemson Mesonet kind of has a miscue with the punt start at your own forty this is it's kind of like our height got our feet unders now the games getting started and now they have a couple miscues and with their offensive style this is not pretty Shawn Watson calls the play they're gonna have to hurry again yeah yeah often the calls come in late for this team they break the huddle late they have to spend the time out so in Virginia now man who is this long snapper for that kick by the way that Baron said to be a green beret training the Panthers after two five-yard penalty and a timeout committed to third another penalty number 70 this is all go center yeah this is exactly patent are doozies worst nightmare give up a touchdown on the first play you're a full touchdown underdog not many people outside of your own locker room are giving you much of a chance and to come out of the game give up that touchdown in the offense having these missed cues and this is a tough way to get it started Sean Watson calls the play has doesn't have a big play chart for second and 29 slam down by Lawrence who is eating alive that middle of the Pittsburgh offensive line yeah he and Christian Wilkins both mention how fit has had to move around some of that offensive lineman it's been a real strength of theirs but with Jimmy Morris he going out and Connor don t know moving from left guard to center Bryce Hargrove now in it left guard so you think about the left guard in the center playing new positions it's tough to go up against Wilkins looking and Lawrence looking right across from the U and you're still trying to build that continuity 30:28 the Tigers bring some pressure to pickets again scrambling for his life it's Wilkins [Applause] he finds all sortsa was too big plays they blitz this time with Isaiah Simmons barely actually on the other side eventually gets the picket but its Simmons who knocks the ball loose watch Simmons come here on the Blitz Ferrell comes around on the edge that's the pressure the it's just nothing pick can do to slow it down watch 11 eventually get him on the arm right there that's what sent the ball up into the air and then Wilkins who is a tremendous athlete as we've seen over these last four years presence of mind to be able to pick it up and you know how he is he's thinking goal line get me to the end zone right now well he's found the end zone twice as a running back Fergus the pylon cam shows you what it's like to have a 300 pounder rolling right into your lap there Oh see if they reward him by sending him out he's not on the field at the moment but they get a little closer to the goal I bring back mr. Wilkins it's easy n long touchdown open the game short touchdown I make it 13 [Applause] and the nightmarish start for the big dogs and Pittsburgh continues its double check that he did get across could read there by Lawrence good extension easily in for the touchdown and Clemson for plays and two touchdowns and in early 14 a nothing lead after the extra point Panthers two scores that have minus 13 yards in offense and three penalties so Wilkins picks up a little interception as Simmons its pickets armed rumbles down inside made the rankings and now your school came to Pete Travis he's en su carries two touchdowns 75 yarder to begin the game and a 2-yard run to cap a very short drive officially it was Wilkins a fumble recovery cuz Pickett's arm was not going forward Maurice for it's as if flag comes out it turns the ball near the 30 but this has the look of yet another Pittsburgh penalty here looks like a hold you know postseason experience such a huge gap as a talent let's be honest but it's the first kind of postseason game for these Pitt players the 10th for Clemson and it's showing its a Matt berry for an update dr. pepper championship drive update we had to Indianapolis in the Big Ten championship game coming in Blaine Haskins led the FBS with 42 touchdown passes go ahead and make it 43 great pocket presents Terry McClure in 16 yards Buckeyes up early 7-nothing Christian Kirk back to you to expect that Dwayne Haskins would be deserving of an invite to Newark for the Heisman Trophy presentation as a finalist he can come up with another olesen they just cannot get these running backs going that's the focus of the offense but the Tigers are ready Kirk impact players from chick-fil-a but you're right olesen has got to be able to get things started and I think one of the ways that they might try is try to get the ball outside the Mac who's a playmaker Joseph we talked about in the in the lineups how important of a role he has leading that front to be physical against this running game and clean plural who has an outstanding ability with that first step to be able to get by offensive tackles and pressure pick it tonight net one-yard for the running backs in their first three carries play-action and think that's going to grow over the head of tastier Mac the receiver who broke the route off cover by Terrell yeah that's just a miscommunication where Mac and picket or adjusting you're thinking about the based on the coverage the route has an adjustment Mack pulled it back and I think Vic it's all a certain coverage and thought he might adjust it to go by the defensive back and obviously not on the same page tough start for this Pitt offense could be tougher self-inflicted much of it Talon on the other side has a whole lot to do it as well yeah they'll pressure again here and they bring some and pick it as he's falling down skips the throw and there's a flag back near where the quarterback was knocked down I don't know what to bodyslam call is for tackle grabbing and body slamming a defender but that's what you have here holding with air quotes is more of a tackle yeah it was more of a WWE takedown if you can't beat them just body slam up 70 on the far left barrel I'll tell you how to take him down there you go wrestling that's two points but in football it's 15 yards huh Farrell's doing work couple series in can barely read the number there on the back is Badou Lou and his goal line Rogers wants to bring this one back into pit territory it's a high boot is going to backpedal and make a fair catch at the 44 to back look it's Feaster in motion they flip it to him behind the line of scrimmage and he's able to fight back for no gain Pat Narducci made his name at Michigan State as a defensive coordinator and did such an amazing job there with Mark Dantonio had some great teams built a reputation for quarters coverage he's trying to make sure his glasses right make sure he's seeing this game right but they have a an aggressive mindset now at Pitt he brought that same philosophy over here and another the way this game is started I think he's got to rely on his defense to try to make a play here by being aggressive blanchin Flores goes downfield over the catch is made Justin Ross the talented true freshman big big future for this kind Chris the accuracy of the throw by Trevor Lawrence look at this it's true freshmen to true freshman throws it away from the defender over his outside shoulder where Ross who's having a monster year as a freshman goes up and can make a play get good coverage better throw [Applause] Darrien Penrith another true freshman at the futures pretty bright for this bump since 15 Trevor Lawrence and again here's this here's the frightening thing we've had him a few times this year scratching the surface of where he's eventually gonna go we you know he wears 16 people talk about Peyton Manning when he was a freshman in Knoxville this kid because he's six six 215 pounds already plays with the maturity of a junior or senior but to touch the hands the athletic ability and then the poise to go with it it's just rare you don't see it with real far off the hands of his receiver Ross yeah the game just feels very slow for Matt a chance to talk to him this week for the first time doesn't really get nervous doesn't carry the butterflies into the game what a gift that is - yeah yeah I think I think a lot of it goes back to played at a high school there's a lot of pressure he won a lot of football games when he was in high school and he was 52 and - starter it's pretty good 41 in a row one point but he won but he played it for a program where he felt that pressure and I think it allowed him to get here any you know it's a bigger stage but it's not any different as far as trying to execute Panthers back out and there's a handoff the Feaster inside busts through tackle and is knocked down inside the 20 by stocker they go with a counter on third down and 10 where they end up pulling around and see the right guard 76 Pollard bring around the big tight end Richard and surprise Pitt who was thinking about a pass and trying to give pressure and trying to get after the quarterback and ended up sneaking picking up cuts seven yards nearly two plays in mine before that call and the offense on the field on fourth and three Tigers 9 out of 16 on fourth down this year feast here is the back uncharacteristically off-target throw by lawrence behind kendrick and the panthers make a stand well here he should have waited just a hair he's eyeing this man right here and seeing where he goes to determine what he's going to do with the football if he waits just a little bit longer he can throw this ball into this window instead of here and I think the defender the placement of that defender effected the accuracy of that football I think if he waits a bead that receiver Thompson clears the defender and it makes it a much easier throw Panthers avoid Kirk what might have been a first-round knockout if the Tigers had gotten in the end zone there so Pittsburgh trying to first of all avoid penalties keep their poise and maybe think about a first down or two jet sweep they run a lot of them this is French he gets around French scopes for the first positive play for Pittsburgh of the evening as we check back with Matt berry for an update I'm here DirecTV more for your college football thing back to the Big Ten championship and northwestern answers John Bolton 77 yard touchdown run midway through the first were tied at 7 apiece because the offense continues to surrender long scoring plays stepping in there 16 yards for French French because he spells it with two F's at the fire brakes three he's into the secondary all of a sudden Pittsburgh starting to muscle down feel back-to-back big gains inside the 45 rail he could block here by the centered in Tina watch him work this way and then climb up to the linebacker does a nice job in helping and then climbing it picks up the linebacker tre Lamar and that's what opened up a just enough of a crease there to be able to get these back some Running Room this time it's Hall who's a little bit quicker than olesen all trying to join olesen over the thousand yard mark his season game a father in August to a daughter very mature first [Applause] but spins for just a short gain that was Lamar the middle backer filling but tomorrow on ESPN the exclusive reveal of what fans have been waiting for the college football playoff matchups the Capital One Orange Bowl the year Cotton Bowl on December 29th I'll join via satellite you and Rhys and the gang final top 25 rankings it's a four hour special we're going for strong tomorrow you'll be on you'd be on satellite for a hit or two or any up their South Beach Malik Carter motions back across so they hinted to Olson and his side set some traffic was then powers forward for about three it'll be third down and five Falls Panthers need five on third down oh listen it's again as you get a glimpse of what these pit runners can do and that's a nice job again I want to go back to the offensive line because they're getting this defensive line they're getting movement once you get them moving sideways in the zone blocking scheme these backs do a good job of being able to eventually cut that back right there and it takes a special back with very good vision and good acceleration at 225 pounds to be able to do that look out because Brent Venables has spent a timeout on defense and his guys may be inference on lashing the Panthers efforts on this drive they're down in the red zone first down after conscience defensive timeout on the jet sweet here's the speedy freshman the leak Carter had never been seen on the field Kirk until he popped into the Duke game with a number they had never not worn before ran for 137 in the game well he's got such speed he's one of those guys he just caught it get on the field and he and French give them a dimension I just love the play call by Nick shot Watson floats that out there once in a while to let Clemson know you better not crowd down on our insiders own game I'm gonna keep stretching you out wide to keep you outside to have to respect the outside stretch and is open the jet sweep and that opens up some inside running lanes [Applause] pursuit that was Tyrell setting the edge and Lawrence who caught up to him and the defensive backs in this game have got to do a good job of being in run support to Tyrell did that very thing he kind of sent the edge there as a corner let the rest of the defense eventually be able to run in Mullin one on one side in Tyrell on the other had got there very good cover corners but Brent Venables this week needs him to be involved in the run so after that timeout bumps his defense to productive plays for no gain and the Panthers need ten on third [Applause] there's a clean pocket the in-zone old was shot Haruko Lopes and it's worked out as the quarterback got knocked down he he had a root ro Lopes against the bigger Nickelback Isaiah Simmons who's listed in about 230 neutral Lopes has great quickness undersized in a slide but there's Wilkins once again just as Pickett gets rid of the ball making the quarterback be aware of his presence Alex cuspid is a sophomore 10th for 13 on field goals at a couple of misses in the tight loss at Notre Dame but has been pretty clutch in other moments deceased he's got a long distance leg somewhat less steady inside a four yard this from 37 sliding but he knocks it through so Pittsburgh on the board after that stays away now so positive for Pitt Kirk they're on the board after their defense got that fourth down stop and now Lawrence and company back to work it's a four for seven start 30 yards for the sophomore I think part of the reason he feels so comfortable is his offensive line has been keeping him clean the last five games one sack which I think gives him a lot of confidence but how about his his rhythm that he is in right now and typically is in pit covering and man coverage covering these receivers especially the outside receivers pretty well but he has thrown some very good downfield throws to give those receivers Ross and Higgins a chance they love to keep the backs fresh and Adam choice it comes up a three touchdown performance against the Gamecocks is now in the game he's got the football as the Panthers claw off the middle mr. yard much like the Michigan State days of Patton are doozie his linebackers don't hesitate they are coming down hill it's a snap of the ball they and they don't hide that they're an aggressive group that tradition carries on now with with these linebackers and Clemson will try to take advantage of that aggressive approach with some play action passes it behind him choice in the pistol the Lawrence fakes it keeps that that ball is deflected rare shot Weber is an excellent defensive end he's got great quickness yeah he really does at 65 to 60 I think he's I think maybe one of his best attributes and when he can't get to the quarterback is just his athletic ability and timing you know looking at film this week you and I both have seen his ability can't get to the quarterback does a good job of getting up into the air and knocking it down and remember Lawrence is six-six himself Panthers have bookend defensive ends weaver and dwayne hendrix between him nine and a half sacks one of the strengths of this defense clemson needs eight on third down they come after Lawrence he gets it out long bro almost intercepted that was Dame jex in the quarter who jumped in front of Rogers when it is a long throw from the right hash all the way to the left sideline and Jones 91 watch him get in there and get into the face just enough to affect I think him being able to follow through and get velocity on that throw because it's such a long throw out to Rodgers Dane Jackson who's their best cover corner almost jumped in front of that he would have walked to the end zone Trevor's got a lot of confidence in his arm but he took a peek over there I think he knew that that might be trouble spires with a high punt this time he avoids hitting the back of someone on the cover team and the correct catch is made kickoff and info week 13 Sunday NFL countdown tomorrow morning at ESPN Aaron Rodgers at the former panther Larry Fitzgerald we got to square off you can hear the story of how their friendship took them to African run but now Pittsburgh beginning to get their footing on both sides of the ball yeah they had nine plays in 62 yards their last driving they got that running game they get looking to throw on to throw it away and he stood knocked out over there well you're seeing what they're trying to do we all know they want to run the inside zone and run the ball beat with these talented backs and his offensive line but you have to do something to complement that and make Clemson not just load up against that run in there their ideas are jet sweep getting the ball round and then play-action bootlegs and nakeds to try to get the athletic picking on the corner and try to keep Clemson respecting the edge of this offense and how they're attacking it's a rough start Kirk for Pickett one of six that was a completion for a loss of four yards to Hall there's a second down a hand off the hall [Applause] and it'll be another third and long Wilkins involved with the tackle when you go up against this kind of attack for Wilkins it's not just about the flash plays you know being able to penetrate get in the backfield and rush the quarterback tonight it's about trying to eat up two lineman at a time and freeing up the linebackers to be able to allow them to make plays against this run Wilkins playing in his 57th game at pumps and that ties the school record along with chant deal a fullback who played oh seven to 11 to get to the championship game get playing 50 knocking College games final seconds of the first quarter of 3rd and 9 picket washed again he's a good runner can he get there takes a shot knocked out by Tyrell but they do move the stick so that gets the Panther fired up for that that is a heck of an effort tre Lamar came through on the Blitz up the middle he's trying as hard as he can he picks up a block there behind him and then a major collision night except for the second quarter I'm set up 14 3 the 2018 Dr Pepper ACC football championship game with a conversion by Pickett Panthers on the March and there is the speedy Carter we talked about is anybody in college football use the jet sweep more than they do not no no and I think one thing that's great about it here's a here's a physical hit and you brought up a good question at the break about with Dave Kataya about targeting has it ever called on the all offense today this is the rule allow for you never see it call but it's Pickett who delivers the per helmet-to-helmet blow there I've never seen it call but the runners under the same restrictions anybody else but he's more of lowering his head to protect himself rather than launching very difficult ranked called on the runner they're not advocating a flag there you that was targeting initiated by the quarterback and after that gain at second and one this is more like it for Pittsburgh whistle oh they got the look like two left side of the offense maybe the full-back 35 that's a good spot that's George asked in the athletic full-back converted linebacker out of Iowa basically if you want to follow the football when Pittsburgh runs the ball follow 35 because he's typically gonna lead you to the ball because he's gonna pick up somebody and block him yeah he's at it Virginia actually but he's a huge part of the running game he got actually caught a couple touchdown passes against Clemson in that big center two years ago so is it occasional receiver as well but the five-yard penalty makes it second and six another miscue that his Pitts off pit offense humming picket rolls and delivers and that's a catch made by Carter and heavy traffic covered by Simmons it'll be third and fourth that's a heck of an effort for a two yard game I mean that was almost picked by Simmons ball is thrown behind Levin gets his hands on it pretty good concentration there by Carter to somehow bring that in you mentioned Simmons name a couple times he had a very rough game against South Carolina he was one of the guys who felt responsible for allowing those big plays he looks inspired tonight Kirk yeah he sure does and again you can imagine the week of practice they had and how anxious they've been to get back out here before steps up did he escape [Applause] closed down quickly Leland Farrell and Wilkins Corral him it's a fourth down you know Austin Bryant you think of it as a pass rusher he's showing it and then he drops kind of a zone pressure look where they dropped the defensive end what I like is they have eyes on the quarterback for the potential scramble three different guys Farrell's there Bryant's there so they dropped their ends bring the two inside linebackers again a different wrinkle for that Pitts offense they're on third down to effect their pass protection what do you think curve in our doozy choosing to punt from the Clemson 44 Christodoulou almost dropped the snap and it's gonna it's a good call okay let's see if they can force a putt from down there it's a retire candidates which perhaps include a couple of puns and coordinators Sony Elliott Brent Venables Tigers from inside the one [Applause] if it's a HCN heat CN who averaged about 38 yards in his first two carries muscles out across the five Clemson trying to get that rhythm back that they had the first couple possessions when things were happening so easy for them a couple touchdowns and then they've had a couple punts in their last two possessions good way to start they're pinned back deep inside the one with a nice gain there on first down vt and again down you see devil Sweeney went the plate shark let's say he does get involved in the play claws along with Elliott and Jeff Scott is also a fine offensive mahadev oh not as CEO in that respect he's involved in the play calling aetn looks like he's coming off a little gingerly there after that last run they're on the sidelines you're right i dab those hands on with it with the offense and he's had coordinators come and go and Tony Elliott it just got doing such a great job after Chad Morris left to take a head job at SMU of course now at Arkansas Feaster replacing etes en on third and five [Applause] lost it down feel for Ross over the head he's looking for a flag again spin up there isn't one I liked it there letting them play you know I have no problem with it at all I know if you're a Clemson fan you're not going to like how physical this is but I have no issue at all Pinnock doing his best to look back for the football and pushing back and forth and dabble of course wants to call so they decision Barnard uzi not to go for it inside the Clemson 40 punch sit down there looks like a pretty smart one as spiars will be backed up against the end line for this punt in Arusha Lopes he's set up in Clemson territory received the final three and out for this high-powered offense after two quick scores low snap spires feels it on the bounce does a great job to avoid a safety it's a low boot that's gonna roll dead at about the 39 but that could have been big trouble on a sloppy night yeah they've had some issues with their punt game tonight this time it's to snap spires one time just missed hit it this time does a nice job on the short hop almost like a shortstop dad is a great baseball player you can tell he worked on it when he was younger because he he does a really good job of staying down on the ball not putting the knee down and then not panicking he was able to get that ball off but if it does get the ball in plus territory right about at the 39 yard line to start this drive what looked like maybe a blowout early and all of a sudden Pitt is settled into the game they've been on the ropes from the old but it's chairs to cut into this lead here almost feels like they need to looking for blocks but the young guy knocked down by Lamar after about a three yard game and I'd really like to see it's a big part of this offense and it's get some three yards here but it makes the safeties and the linebackers have their eyes on the possible threat of that jet sweep but all sudden you start to fake it and you give it up the middle that's how they try to offset their of their offense and try to slow defenses from just loading up against all of sin and halt it's all listed in the eye of formation he's got it as to sidestep quick penetration in the backfield that was Kendall Joseph and a short game and when you can't throw the football consistently there one hundred and twentieth in the nation and passing offense when you can't make people pay for loading up against your running game you got to find other ways to try to make them pay for it and for this offense that's where the jet sweep and quick bootlegs try to complement that run game it's a big third down Panthers just two four seven it delivers a low throw Haruko Lopes makes the catch it's right near the marker but it's enough for a first down yep third and six Haruko Lopes does a good job with a soft coverage thereby moose he was lined up about eight yards off the ball tickets saw that before the ball was snapped located it threw it down away from - took Tanner moose and gave the receiver a chance to make that play Lucho Lopes is the old ban of the receivers room the only senior leader graduate excellent student many pucks catch there all the sinners yes to the stiff are vegan citizens where were they Markham no signal yet touchdown he finally say he got in and the Panthers strike back [Applause] you talked about how Isaiah Simmons didn't have a great game watch him come out here and try to make this play one-on-one gets the stiff arm there's the physical part of Olesen and then what looked like he may have stepped out of bounds there but some receivers do a good job blocking downfield they're gonna definitely take a peek at that when there is he's out of bounds there no question about it got close with that step and then that one clearly out of about the two yard line but Olesen gives you an example there of how physical the runner he is stiff arm gets him down the sideline the progressive pylon cam shows him step out of bounds just short of the goal line but it starting to get their style of offense going here clearly out is they're marching right toward the ban which is up the student sections going crazy let's face it you come in here as a four touch set underdog etes en with a lightning strike of the opening play you down 14 nothing like that and they have clawed back in now got to punch it in here when they spot the ball it'll be up at about the 2 yard line but this is impressive this is a resilient team they've been like that all year yeah and I think a lot of people saw their their game last week against Miami and thought oh my gosh there's seven and five they're going into play Clemson [Applause] but I think when you get close to the program the way we have this week you understand that this team has been down at all year and it kind of plays to their mantra they're a blue-collar Bunch they they like to feel disrespected and now this is a big big series to see if they can get the points up on the board you get it to four points you start to all of a sudden come to the sidelines and you start to believe this would be a good battle here comes this defensive front you know about them olice that is a very tough back to stop and shoot yardage but it's hollow who's in its Hall who's got it and the flag is down again at the line of scrimmage that's about the last thing the Panthers need any Clemson has led 12 or 13 players on the team substitution [Applause] they had a lot of times running on and off the field and of course Davos frustrated with Brent Venables about communication look at all the different bodies in there still look look look company concert he's travel moments counting he's trying to figure out how many are out here he's he's running off for the off of the field but you get out twelve or thirteen that makes for a much more effective go line that's frustration right there first and goal he's Shane Roy is the defensive line but he's mingling around in there olessa knee is tough to stop down there but the Tigers stand him up that was a strong tackle by Tanner Muse Tanner muesli the way there Dexter Lawrence came around helped out as you said Chris this is a tough defense down inside too near the goal line to try to punch it in between the tackles Tanner Muse there's big Dexter Lawrence helping out JD Davis have balls on the sixth inch line Olesen goes to 25 and I think he runs even bigger than that you put a 240 pound fullback in front of them dyes airborne for the touchdown [Applause] take another look at the oppressive pile on came he didn't have the football now but he's here to break the plain watch 35 leads away always does boom great block right there gives them enough room to go up into the air breaks the plane the progressive pile on cam shows that he is into the end zone that's a big fella getting up in the air going over Dexter going over Christian Wilkins their oldest an 11th rushing touchdown the senior Etta Niagara Falls very interesting guy we'll talk more about him he's a guy of deep faith a wise soul for someone his age and a heck of a running back kessman in the pant Dabo Swinney a word with Trevor Lawrence Pittsburgh showing good resolve the Tigers offense is stagnant to the to ETN touchdown runs Lawrence's missed five passes in a row and the Tigers have yet to convert on third down tonight Kurt Oh for four as you said there's a spark it's an emotion from this Panther team Oleson who lost his brother he was shot dead in the middle of last season maria and i thought in a letter he shared with us his response to that was just extraordinary well you're right Chris and quadra found out about his brother's death and his brother LaRon Harris was one of his best friends he always wanted to be just like him but he said his family has closure coming into this season and that's been important sure was and now etn breaks free as he again is sparking this clips of offense he's deep in the Pittsburgh territory his second huge run Hamlin drove him out if you go back in the backfield he's tackled he's tackled by you don't 123 has him 40 for Reynolds he's wrapped up this is the difference with etn this year he's able to pull out of those tackles and able to get away downfield with that speed but it started with the physicality or two guys had him for a short loss was it Panther down that's the corner there Pinnock seborrhea circling back to that olace and story i know you're quite taken in by him as a young man as well yeah because he went back and forth on whether or not he would even write a letter but he writes all the time he's a little bit of a poet and he likes to express himself through words he says that's kind of how he got through losing his brother I mean LaRon meant everything to him he still writes on his cleats a message to his brother every single game he'll write his hometown on one cleat and the message to his brother on the other sometimes it says fly hi big bro and sometimes it says I'm doing this for you and at the end of the day he's a smart for the you can recognize it on the sidelines when I walk by but she would never know he's been through the tragedy that he's had to deal with in his young life so close to his running mate Darren Hall they came in to pit together competing against each other very supportive of each other it's a it's a powerful Brotherhood they have meanwhile Clemson's running back has set the tigers up at the 30 as now feast her in the game and he's got space he's got about seven or eight so fighting your the marker now just wanted real quick just go back to what Maria was just talking about with oldest tonight I don't know if I've ever heard of a young man at his age have that kind of maturity that kind of strength to be able to send that kind of message to somebody who took his own brother's life that's a great a great statement on what kind of person he is she said his deep faith is the big reason before that slamming forward or first down is etn especially in the society we live in today everybody seems to be divided and being separated and what a what a just a light and in the middle of a lot of darkness love to hear that no well said driving rain now as the Tigers drive trying to extend this lead and Lawrence after a delay hands off Wow I'm telling you man he is such a different back I mean last year it was more about he burst onto the scene as a freshman and he was he was fast and we all marveled at this young guy out of Louisiana man he spent some time in that weight room his lower body allows him to run through those arm tackles and we already saw the big run earlier on this Drive and this one also instead of a short loss they're in second seven bestir down inside the ten HCN being looked at over there there's stretching that leg out he's run it seven times for a hundred thirty five yards averaging more than 19 for Kerry so far Nabal loves the philosophy of rotate he carries keeping guys fresh keeping him hungry keeping a practicing hard Easter behind the quarterback on 33 it's first and goal about that embarrassment of riches etn checks out Tavian Feaster comes in they have Adam choice feast are showing you that he can run and lower his pads on a crucial third down and short Mount Clemson crank it up a little bit of tempo never again choice the tutor 20 pounder the only senior among the running backs Laurence Enzo and they say got the foot down let's make sure six for one on one they've been tight coverage that's entire drive got a love to do a nice job with the left foot getting down has possession of the football goes over pinup and we've been seeing that connection all year long from the freshmen Lawrence they get down to the red zone they love to throw the football to t he gets when he's matched up one-on-one the progressive pylon cam shows he catches it and gets the left foot down nice touchdown reception for the leading receiver in this crew the only one football so much talent to spread around makes it an 11-point but silly Saturday name [Applause] French for the chance speed coverage Fitzsimmons down there slamming him down short of the 20-yard line take a break Pittsburgh back to work but again down 11 that's weak you got to throw the football properly okay that's that's a bad look they should force tan a hundred grand however however hey Pittsburgh somehow is clawback in this they're still singing Sweet Caroline but the Panthers offense ready to go to work here 19 when in doubt Sweet Caroline it's keeper first of the night and as Bickett falls former for to picket athletic quarterback six to 220 part of his background his agency the players kind of John back and forth Austin Bryant talked to the Pitt offensive lineman but Pickett is not your eye Chris we've not seen him run the ball tonight at all I thought we might see a little bit more of that part of their plan in a scramble for a first down but yeah there's a designer runs now you're right [Applause] the second keeper [Applause] Farrell was there quickly it'll be third law he's reading clean Farrell here and he miss reads this right here I think he felt that he was going out but he actually comes down watch the body language in 99 looks like he gives him a little bit of an outside look which made him pull the ball and by keeping it Farrell's there to make the play by the way Clemson had both guys taken Simmons had two at the back and Farrell had two quarterback they play at no chance Llewellyn says not tonight bcc Defensive Player of the Year get the vote over his buddy Wilkins third date Vick it moves the bucket glass to get the edge and fires low and incomplete it was French on a crossing route fourth down and not surprising they move him out move the launch point on third down and long problem is when you move out like that obviously you're condensing your options in the field to half the field and you don't have very many receivers out there made it easy for Clemson to take the receivers out [Music] Clemson three minutes and 23 seconds to work with before half-time to try to add to this lead mr. Dillo just needs to focus on handling this snap in the wet conditions to get in the punt off it's a good kick and no fair catch Rogers driven back slunk down a flag a couple of them coming in there's a skirmish to flag an ounce of tempers flaring and there's a scuffle breaking out near midfield that's all as it is involved in the punt coverage team getting into it with I believe was Kavon Wallace the Tigers a couple of flags to sort out during to Jeff he's early receiving team number 10 so as two different flags in different parts of the field for the same penalty well Clemson came out and with the electric start traffic CT and they got the football first is that elected to defer it a game and right now it's been all about them trying to run the ball the Jets sleep at the inside power run game we got 40 total passing yards in the game because Long's has just 35 welcome but the running game has been strong this is Joyce barreling forward and I really think that's the difference this year with Clemson I mean in the last few years they've needed to be able to throw the football and I think they're better up front with the offensive line I think they're better with the running backs and also take because Lawrence control the ball downfield has that threat I think their running game is something they can really rely on [Applause] we rely on it again in choice heavy traffic falls forward punch sir Renfro doesn't have a catch tonight he's had one in 40 consecutive games Higgins has just the one catch they'll eventually get to the past game just when you thanked boy what's going on here they only have 35 yards passing blink of an eye they hit some one-on-one matchups and just like that they'll hit don't hit a 75 and 80 yard touchdown and Pitt they played tight coverage they leave corners on Islands it's a lot of 50/50 balls out there Clemson on the last possession finally got their first third down conversion 105 meaty to VTN will get it easily I'm near the 30 they pick up this first down on third down and because it's been so run heavy to get a new set of downs this is where I think you might see Tony Elliott Jeff Scott try to find the one one-on-one matchup they're gonna go trips here to the bottom with these three receivers ETN that time the Panthers smother him minute 43 and Counting before the capital one half time report Kevin Gandhi Jonathan Vilma and Jim Mora they'll have scores and highlights our buddy Mac Brown a part of that show for so long we congratulate him as he returns to North Carolina as the new head coach I wish him the best of luck a big opportunity for him to go back to Chapel Hill and welcome Jim Mora into the studio doing a great job this year coming off for coaching into TV can't come up with it Kinnock it's been a good battle on the edge but team feels like he should have have that one yeah and this is a good matchup just because it's one-on-one and Pennock does a good job I mean there's a big height advantage there with Higgins but Pennock gets up and you saw the left hand get around without interfering Higgins and knocked the ball away these two starting corners have sometimes been picked on Kirk they've allowed seven touchdowns between him only have two interceptions they held up well tonight sure have choice is the background 39 [Applause] Panthers only rush three [Applause] and Lawrence delivers a strike on the sidelines that's trivia on Thompson but he's not gonna get first down yardage he's short by about a yard and a half good job by Thompson working in the scramble working back to his quarterback the problem is a little bit more awareness on where the first down marker is so as he's working back he has to have an idea of where he's trying to get it and he has to at least be at that first down marker especially catching the ball right next to the sideline and going out of bounds so spires is on last punt snap was short hopped in the endzone he's averaging just twenty eight point three at a 15 yard punt he had one go off the back of one of the long snapper earlier so it's not been automatic the punting game here and the Panthers are gonna get the ball to start the second half they get a minute 11 and one timeout to work with it's gonna say depending on what their strategy is here at the end of this half it's not like they have a figitus shot you know maybe maybe it's decent starting field position again they don't have a great passing game that's it nice esteem to a sec championship and that number one spot more than likely obviously in the in the playoff Saban saying in his postgame comments Kirk the talk about Louis injury is not apparently serious it's an ankle sprain that's good news should be okay for the playoff Pickett scrambling no dive or no slide I should say a dock for a first down across the 30 he kind of set the defense up to make them think it looked like he was going to go down and it looked like the safety Nolan Turner thought he was just going to slide and he ended up going right around him stop the clock for the first down you mentioned they just have that one timeout because they had to spend one and now it's batted in the air it follows to the turf dangerous I'm telling you you got it you got to be careful especially with just that one timeout this defense thrives on getting their hands up and putting pressure on a quarterback and Pickett is still growing in confidence of sitting in that pocket and throwing it ball gets tipped like that very easily intercepted Oh Pickett has gone 142 pass attempts with that interception has not thrown one since the first happened to Syracuse game that's as half a season I'm gonna get your point it's a dangerous plan we'll see how adventurous they get now with 44 seconds to go - how that's the downfield shot again the receiver either the slipper break the route off that was Matt like it was the same thing we saw in the first quarter where the quarterback thought he read the coverage and a route adjustment with tight coverage he's going to continue downfield on a fade and instead Mack pulls back thinking he can run kind of an underneath route an eye on a hitch second time in this first half we've seen Pickett and Mack not quite on the same page so good about a pass defense that gave up more than 500 yards last week to South Carolina Pittsburgh has a 5 3 for 11 now for picket third and ten [Applause] in traffic and it's going to be there is the first half of season and as costly just said you have a quarterback in Pickett who's still growing and trying to get comfortable from the pocket against this defense that likes to confuse a quarterback you can almost feel how uncomfortable he was sitting in that pocket unsure of his read and just simply throwing it out into the flat where Tyrell ends up making the play eyeballs floating out there I'm just surprised Pitts decided to I like them being aggressive but sitting in the pocket making reeds and throwing the football against this defense is a tough thing to do for even a seasoned quarterback those two have had a couple collisions tonight remember earlier on the run and it was eight verses eight collision they could help it on the tackle talked to him yesterday querque he is a little bit risk-averse he talks about being a game manager making the smart choice is not hurting his team he thought he might have to take some more risks tonight that one did not play off now the Tigers trying to add to the lead Lawrence for the Enzo just like that they make the Panthers pay Higgins for the second time tonight I put the little the little marker on Higgins because if I'm a quarterback and I got 29 seconds to go and I see one-on-one coverage with my guy I'm going to go to it all day nice job of reading it it's an RPO the safety came up made it an easy throw for Trevor Lawrence Tootie Higgins so Higgins two catches both touchdowns and that is a devastating blow for a panther team that quickly fell down 14 got back within four but the turnover sets up the touchdown and the lead is 18 this is the read right here it's a little glory because of the conditions but that's who he's looking at once he comes up here that's going to tell him he's got the slant behind it you see it all the time in college football defenses are put in a tough spot you're kind of in conflict do you come up against the run look quarterback can pull the ball out and throw it or do you sit back and let him run the ball here the defender said I'm coming up against this great running game Loren spelled it read it you can see his eyes on the defender and it makes the simple throw to T Higgins nice and high or he can make the play 14 points off the to Pittsburgh turnovers Tigers about three one play touchdown drives two short one long all because hit got aggressive you suggested it might be the prudent thing after that one pass was tipped at the line just run the ball go to half side roll out run the ball or roll out that I didn't like him sitting in that pocket [Applause] line drive kick is fielded by French knock down across the 25 18 seconds left let's take a look at the college football playoff rankings brought to you by a teen potentially 2-1 loss conference champion so right now since I don't get caught up in Champions I get caught up in best the best for I don't really follow the rest of that stuff we'll have a chance I suspect after halftime to continue this conversation I think we would less shot those opinions yeah yes Clemson scores very early and very late in this half and leads by 18 blows again and a fourth consecutive A's they want to get back on track before they get ready for the postseason good point Pittsburgh generating 122 total yards bid again just 5 through the air [Applause] his Kenny picket is 3 for 12 that interception free streak ended after 145 passes bTW Potter's the strong legged freshmen they have depth and kicker as well he's gonna be the field goal guy next season for now he's just a really good kick time he feels like his own story is kind of emblematic of Pitt football kind of doubt it overlooked a lot [Applause] the big recruit out of Jersey but happy to do his job not caring about stats very happy when he refers to the running game ouch not even running and play clock winds down and sets Pittsburgh back five more our doozy fired up so the last thing again some of these miscues and that first half he's actually upset with the officials maybe they started that play clock a little bit too early in fact try to get a timeout they're gonna have to use their first timeout so there's not a delay there that much Ryan they should be still trying on blowing up over here just to pick his way well you hesitate against bumps it in the posse will come calling quickly no doubt about it and they can run they can get sideline to sideline but it has to get that ball on the edge has to have some success running to the outside that make that deep the defensive backs the edge of the defense have to respect that it's a big part of what they do but patner doozie was fired up after having to use a timeout to get this second half started time out save the five yards and dip them ahead of the sticks and now pick it the keeper he's getting his lung down smashed in hard by Lamar right at the line of scrimmage defense is flying around he's reading parole 99 see him come down so he pulls it but Dexter Lawrence is right there tre Lamar they they read that perfectly and in position so they intentionally gave him a read to keep it to get the ball out of the running backs hands and then the twist with Lawrence and a linebackers they knew that Pickett would have the ball and they were there to rally need for aaanthor down Tigers bring back get the Clooney it's tre Lamar from this linebacker position fourth down now they get aggressive all the time on third down that's just who they are they actually brought both their linebackers Joseph and here's Lamar who ends up putting the pressure on Pickett you got three down linemen in a bear look meaning they cover the car both guards in the center and because they were occupied it freed up tre Lamar who gets home on that blitz sat out last week with an ankle injury probably could have gone but a smart move to rest him up but he looks fresh tonight Butkus Award finalist makes the sack that kills the dry mr. du Loup on the bounce it's Rogers at the 36 down at the 38 so Trevor Lawrence modest stats by the standards of this high-powered offense seven completions for 52 yards the two touchdowns came to t Higgins the win surprised me at all to see them even with the 18-point lead give Trevor Lawrence and in this offense a chance to stretch this Pitt defense out a little bit keep in mind I don't blame them for running Pitt is aggressive as they are they're a hundred and twentieth in the nation it giving up runs of 20 yards or more so they've had a few busts over the year and it's something that they've tried to do is run tonight but I think they'll throw it more beats en quick cut gets a a Mickey little gentlemen's sign Beth it hunter Renfro gets involved he they have a catch yet he's trying to continue that streak to the 41 games that he's played in and in his 45th start and what reason I think they'll throw more is just you want to you want to be balanced and you want it as is this looks like it was the Tigers who flinched that time graduates on this team I just think the heat I think Davo because his experience in the postseason he likes to be able to go into the postseason with momentum you know not just running the ball but having a balanced attack tonight and extending the streak but it's for a losses he was hit hard a mere watch the defensive tackle down the slot receiver watts actually I think he's in them inside but he just felt the line working their way out on a screen and just followed him the line Pollard 76 that's who he use up against him because he worked his way to the outside just anticipated the ball coming out quickly in the big fella at 290 has some athletic ability makes the play unfroze tough but he's giving away 110 pounds in that collision 1313 [Applause] pressure again picked up Lawrence livers but again miscommunication but Higgins who was streaking down the field often offensive line did a pretty good job there I think the ball might have been tipped you know it's a line of scrimmage where they got some pressure and looked like they jumped up tried to get a hand on the ball but they did a good job Pitts was in kind of that brat defense where they're just kind of walking around and pine gets up see if he though you just missed it just missed it [Music] and spires just kicks the ball with heavy batteries from the 31 [Applause] for some hand spree in across the 45 tantino in the middle the center-right car does a good job Herndon getting up to the linebacker that's pit football right there work the double-team able to get up to the linebackers with the center in the guard and that gives the running back Hall much more room to work with there's been a few times where we've seen them be able to control the line of scrimmage all from Youngstown Ohio that's where NAR doozies background is we make them tough there got it again Nessus I said it's been that's a terrific run not a massive game but he showed the skills to twice avoid a loss while Austin Bryant was right there I mean right there and this is what great backs do look at the top seven and white right at the edge holding the edge he makes Perl miss and then Bryant on the other side miss with the spin move I mean that's it is a great run here by a halt a little bit more elusive than the powerful Olesen I think Dabo saw when I saw both those ends had a chance to make a play on him but their plan against good backs tonight yes I'm nice running back just makes a good movie huh [Applause] second three it's Olesen he's gonna be knocked down right near the marker the Olson and Hall both kind of began their career in the shadow of James Connor then when Connor had his health issues and left they both got a chance to shine Connor comes back pushed them back into the background and these two guys benefit Kirk from the fact that the Steelers are right across the hall James Connor I'm in a great year right those are both around these guys as a mentor it continues yeah James Connor has such a great approach to his job not only when he's of course now play with the Steelers but he was in college and everything he had to overcome and I'm sure these players have a great appreciation for him in his journey what a great example for them to follow a great year and he continues to be big Pittsburgh fan no doubt looking in tonight Oleson time grab behind the line our Hollis is bad by Wilkins this is where this defensive line can can really take over Christian Wilkins is right here and they shoot gaps as well as anybody that's a tight gap you can see how because of the quickness santino the center he tried his best to get over there but Wilkins who takes the headbutt from his his man Burrell those guys love to challenge one another but vana Wilkins at 305 three keys talk [Applause] that's a frequently used to productive play but can amuse the safety and Bryant from his end position yep and I think you also have to give Trayvon Mullen credit for kidding to the outside occupying the big heavy blocker George asked in the full-back and that freed up the rest of the safeties and the speed of that defense to just clean it up nowhere to go that time on the jet sweep Carter has run that jet sweep five times gain a total of 18 yards Olesen is out fall in on third and 11 to Brent Venables dials up here and they make a play in the pass game [Applause] picket he'll take off and no slide able to get down three yards short of the marker Wallace stopped him fourth down you'd figure the offense stays out there yeah I mean he's able to somehow escape those two linebackers came right up the middle they shoot him kind of a cross blitz here where they dock you PI the center hall tried to come up on Joseph I thought I was surprised that he got away from furl gave himself at least a chance here now on fourth down instead of having to punt it and have a chance to claw back in the game down 18 an important play Midway third quarter [Applause] kind of hurry pick it rolls and throws a flag is down complete Arusha looks blank right at the line of scrimmage on the far side might be offensive pass interference you pick and I'm all about calling a rub cuz I like to see the offense catch the break but it looked like Mac 11 was just blocking downfield see 11 I gotta get him on a shift but in my opinion Mac you have to hide it a little bit but they didn't they did call that at all is on the illegal shift taking Pit one yeah that stings because the penalty makes it too much of a gamble apparently for now juicy at this point from the 42 yard line so down eighteen as much as he hates to and is he choosing to send Krista dealers a puncher out see if he can again and the Tigers back that's very short he's not going to pin him back unless it gets it on the field I mean the bill of an 18 point lead ETN working on a potential 200-yard game tonight they fake it to a man flip it short to try beyond Thompson who's tackled right away by him one I think I think Thompson even though you have Renfro and Higgins and Ross and d'marie Rogers even Kendrick he's kind of a forgotten receiver in this offense he's more than capable as they get ready for that playoff of making plays and kind of being a great complement to some of the more high-profile receivers ever see the game curt route we're deep in the third quarter the yards after catch combine for both teams is 15 clemson has only 14 yards after the catch Pitt 1 1 yeah we we have 5 yards passing for Pitt and we have 56 yards passing for for Clemson yeah 2018 in Charlotte with the rain 33 that's the power of comes as offense though if the passing game isn't firing is he clicking they took couple touchdowns of course but running game is good enough to carry him gets a lot of people Lauren says time man delivers the red crow takes a shot man that's right at the marker Hamlin came up no yards after that catch that's a big hit that's what you clean it up is the junior Hamlin who has experienced a corner in fact played corner back as a freshman against his Clemson team in Death Valley but his moved back to safety leads the team in tackles has a great feel and they're just lowered his shoulder right into Hunter Renfro as soon as he caught the ball but he did did pick up that first down it looks like yeah they're both feeling it Renfro came back against South Carolina after leaving the Duke game got knocked in the head but was good to go the next week has not played a lot tonight it was just his second catch and actually has negative yards Bob told the story this week that she's told before but Suzanne was six it down field over the head of Rogers [Applause] this pit defense I mean I don't know you could say the conditions it's wet the field slippery you say whatever you want but Trevor Lawrence says this is this defense has done a good job at managing the speed of Clemson in their pass game Trevor's 10 to 20 for 59 yards and they've not been able to get behind them consistently at all tonight DTN drag down nicely Elias Reynolds the middle linebacker he had to step in they lost linebacker Quinton Virginia's before the Notre Dame game he was their leader back there they lost their Center this team has had to be resilient because key injuries on both sides of the ball down them right in the middle of season where genis was a big one and Reynolds has had to step into that Mike linebacker position and in this particular defense that's everything there he is still being a leader there on the sidelines but out for the year a Notre Dame game the first that he missed was a loss there was a turning point for this team they gain confidence in battling the Irish right down to the end Lauren says a lot of Rome he shows his athletic ability dodge his attack ler that six foot six he can scoop they can also make guys miss while he can cover a lot of ground at six six and once he builds up his speed he's really a threat and I think he's where he's really developed is understanding when the the primary receiver is not there the second options not there instead of waiting and waiting he's such a good athlete you got to take off Dane Jackson just kind of dove and threw his shoulder but you're talking about an incredibly athletic and savvy runner and Trevor Lawrence and picks up that first down I got 16 yards at his best running game against the Gamecocks last week he wanted to run out of time and get swarmed great to come first time yep great coverage downfield it's good a loud pit to be able to get there with Hendrix that pocket just kind of collapsed on him Weaver on one side Hendrix on the other see 17 right there on the other side 8 both those defensive ends did a good job along with the inside of getting a push it's like Twyman 55 was in there as well but really all the credit downfield with nowhere to go with the football for Trevor Lawrence he Tian accelerates these spins were a nice gain it'll set up third long by nine yeah this a guy that doesn't seek the spotlight he's very comfortable in his role here some backs wood who brought the rock a lot more very unselfish who the defense just moving around trying to affect the communications him pointing no hands on the ground at all and Lawrence throws it up and that battle is won by pinic you broke it up we're gonna get sauce I'm really enjoying watching Pinnock tonight 15 on one side Dane Jackson known as a better cover corner but panic does a good job again anticipating on third down and about eight that that ball is gonna come out in about 10 yards 12 yards so he gets his head turned looking for the football and that's what allows him to fight back through the receive like a you get excited watching corner play guys that's exactly how you coach driver hands straight up through the hands of the receiver I just love to see corners locate to football in college cuz you don't see it very often that was textbook and you're right he has played a nice game low snap inspires gets it away Aroo geo loves looking for tomorrow he doesn't get the blog a very distinguished list of past recipients maybe Davos could meet him there yeah yeah I know a lot of people be fired up to meet him I have a chance to communicate with him quite a bit since we had a chance to get to meet him that weekend of Ohio State in Purdue and he's had so many great moments false start offense number 75 yard penalty second they make a play then they set themselves back time and again it's their best stuff at supply Matt Millen guilty that time another reminder to join ESPN in the V Foundation in the fight against cancer visit V org slash donate all donations benefit the V foundation for cancer research [Music] Tyler by the way singing you opened maybe to where when Craig Sager's fancy sport coats to that event and it this is Carter and the left hand for the sixth time in a jet sweep tonight short game you think everybody will fit got to a point where they've calmed down after the rankings show tomorrow you think by the Home Depot show everybody will be get it out of their system what happens tomorrow I think there's gonna be a lot of anger no matter what happens what you think no matter what matter who ends up at five or six Scouts football anger resentment controversy yep does it very well it's a subjective way of evaluating teams and that's why there's so much angst and excitement Panthers need six that Pendley hurt their chances here that's not complete olesen was hammered right as the ball arrived by Xavier Thomas the freshmen leaving his mark against the tough senior whose slow to get up he's got to slant and this is where he's again gonna have to grow the slants there for the first down and instead of taking it he doesn't even take the moment to look out to see that there's a defender who had dropped from a defensive in position to go out into the flat to take Olesen he had the slant decided not to throw it and without even looking he didn't realize Thomas was out there honestly gets knocked out hard but he's part of the the punch he's the personal protector so he for the moment he's out there they may look and see if this was a backward pass you know to the naked eye Kirk it was close to being behind the line and if it if it is and Clemson made an immediate recovery there this could be viewed as a turnover at sea and they've Kataya is here Dave to me that looks right down the line or maybe a few inches forward how do you see that reviewer to me yeah it looks it looks a few inches forward regardless there's not enough to change the call on the field the ball d brotherman roll out of bounds it would still be Pittsburgh football but it would set them back to me it's close but that's a forward pass and they're gonna have to let this stand there's not enough to reverse what was called on the field it looks forward more than anything use a 360 cam from the overhead look I misspoke it's a this is the whole thing's a matter of a few yards of field position anyway it's gonna be fourth down tickets uniform is not clean kirkin no no it's been one of those nights you know what I think he's got a bright future he's only a sophomore and he's gonna be able to continue to like that last play was a great example of where quarterbacks who aren't really comfortable sitting in the pocket they just don't see certain things in that defensive end Thomas drop did he never filmed the ball be placed at the 26 and a half yard line that'll be fourth down please reset the game clock to 106 and again it's a Pittsburgh team that didn't have a single first team all-sec guy comes in at five Milind one of those second team guys made at the penalty in that series it's just not an offense that against these guys gonna be able to survive the penalties it's hard enough to be Clemson let alone here having these miscues I boot into the misty evening from Krista's ulu and Rogers catches it right on the sidelines back to Matt berry for an update I'm gonna I'm gonna guess from Indianapolis yeah Chris we got one ruin in the Big Ten championship Clayton Thorson the Cameron green and look at this northwestern found their way back in this ball game 24:21 halfway through the third quarter Wildcats around gets in nine and four and perhaps bringing upset and get to the Rose Bowl where Washington would await beautiful house eight holds on Kirk many would believe that it was not the emphatic result they needed to come from behind from six position to vault over Oklahoma and Georgia yeah I mean it was Oklahoma was the team that everybody thought was in that pole position if if Alabama blew George out which they did not almost got three for a third touchdown tackled by Jackson there you see Trevor Lawrence being able to get into a rhythm and leave T Higgins down the field these pick corners are in tight coverage the windows are tight throws have to be right on the money and that time he gives Higgins a chance throwing it out in front of him you suggested they might try to open up the passing game the latter stages of this this is a keeper gets around the edge deceptively gobbles up about eight yards yeah kind of a little bit of a triple option look here where Trevor Lawrence is reading folston watch 40 come into the picture actually should have given this because folston looks like he's gonna come down and then he comes back out on the quarterback he starts to look like he wants to throw it out to the outside the Renfro but you can see he's well covered by Hamlin so he decided to just take off and pick up seven or eight yards final play of the third quarter - flute Wengert and love - get down who's going to be stopped just short of the goal on trickery to end the third period and they brought a corner blitz with Jackson which meant the safety had one-on-one coverage and Briggs was late to respond you see how Ross kind of slow played it showed like he was going to block Briggs fell for it and then watch him in the background he goes right behind him and Lawrence getting all that pressure from the corner blitz puts it up in the air for that nice play so pepsin on the doorstep when the final period starts back after this be falling backwards when he just flicked that with his wrists told you how Briggs kind of got caught up Little flea-flicker safety saw the handoff came up and look at this the pressure forced him to just get rid of the ball as quickly as he could and rightthey just fell back because he knew how open he was and had enough to get on the ball to get it out too low to get it out to Ross choice is the choice first to go and shows great determination and spotted shirt not mark the touchdown yet double-check this choice a tough runner on third down and fourth down and short the only thing I think he can see must he caught his knee before he got into the end zone the elbow maybe it's very close it looked like he got in [Applause] did he get in there yes no doubt that time choice does his job and Clemson lose it through the air right to the doorstep and for this when you're running nice drive by Clemson nice job at throwing the football they were able to get some big plays throwing the ball downfield finally to Higgins on that's that nice kind of skinny post Ross on the flea-flicker where he got the ball out almost came up with a touchdown and choice ends up finishing it off to give glimpse and a big lead here now in the second half talking to Trevor this week his dad Jeremy was his first coach youth football and I asked him but when did you notice that you got a talent for throwing this darn football instead of buddy great I started to figure out that maybe I could do this better than that is you're right next year at this time covering kickoff could perhaps be - scrappy want guns not a brick ler of MBA Academy let's go to the huddle tape but Jake herb Street he comes up here boom is the corner makes a big hit yes yes they're high the receiver yeah and they're gonna be preferred walk-ons for Davos Lee's Clemson program yes he's seen I was watching this yesterday he's already seen him yes come up to camp yeah they came to camp worked out with the coaches had a kind of great visit I've always been blown away by Dabo the way he runs his program and when the boys talked about maybe wanting to do that at Clemson I was 100% behind them and look forward to them being a part of that program what it would a unique opportunity for him he is the CEO but he's also as you said very hands-on he does things very differently I you know we all have been all around the country and he walks the walk on how he runs his program and you either follow the rules or you don't and if you're a you know deshaun Watson or Trevor Lawrence and you don't follow the rules then you're gonna get you're gonna have consequences and all the way down so he treats everybody the same and he has incredible coaches and a staff around him even the secretaries it's just a great aura around that program [Applause] sweep from their beginning to chased him down and that was a big play by Isaiah Simmons it's a loss this defense is flying around remember how again we keep talking about how they played last week and they're not gonna give up and until this game is over and Simmons in particular is the one that wants to play well this this jet sweep has given them some problems tonight at times but they've made some adjustments and playing much better against it here in the second half by the way Kirk you know that today is exactly the 10th anniversary of Davos hiring is the permanent head coach December 1 2008 barely 39 years old at the time just turned 49 a couple weeks ago 30 26 good luck Pitts oldest and short gain and they'll set up the punt the other thing that they they do a good job is rotating bodies not just with a big lead you'll see Brent Venables rotating defensive lineman secondary guys they have a big philosophy that you can see his he put a lot on him this week he wanted them to play well and they've kind of answered that challenge because it's not just about winning the ACC championship in Charlotte it's about getting that swagger back and that confidence back before they get ready for that next game in a playoffs was to do Lewis punch got a bounce in front of Rogers mana balance as a defense ever giving up more than 500 yards passing Lee in the first quarter Pittsburgh battled back 1410 with three straight touchdowns for the Tigers and they are set up at the Panthers 43 after the short punt no worse speed that he has and Tigers eventually got a touchdown up on the board speaking of speed Kirk Lynn Jay Dixon there's another freaky true freshman in there he's a freshman out of Butler Georgia it was just another huge talent he figures to be a one-two punch next year with etn he's in the game now with the clean uniform fresh legs they just say he's wrong just reminds me a lot of Eaton where he was last year and we keep talking about how much he's grown is it become more of a complete back and I think you'll see Jay Dixon have the same opportunity and you're right heck of a one-two punch next year he's gained 531 yards mostly a mop-up duty but he's averaged more than 10 yards per carry this year snap infraction offense number 50 Lenny to achieve of course with the remainder of this season but for Clemson looking forward they'll lose Renfro Travie on Thompson the two seniors in the receiving corps Adam choice moves on they lose some blockers up front like Mitch Hyatt but really everyone else in this offense back they get some big names obviously to replace on the defensive front yeah and that's a bet in the backfield by dennis brick most people when they think of Clemson this year they take it the senior class they do think of the defense but overall that this senior class chance - and the numbers could could still go up but right now fifty two and four after tonight they'll have four playoff appearances think about being a senior at Clemson four playoff appearances for ACC titles and already won national title you talking about stager would be the most decorated class not just in Clemson history you could put that other than Alabama's seniors you could put that up there with anybody why have they done all that davos words the eye of the tiger focused intensity passionate special leadership very selfless Bunch you can get out and catch it as a guy in the coverage team but you can't get that close to the returner TJ chase will be gone for kick catch interference just tried to take it away from the man he went airborne he's a receiver so he's just going up trying to make a play yeah that's that's instinctive but it's not legal continues to be the hallmark of the senior class will continue into the playoff apparently they were disappointed in themselves they ran into an Alabama buzzsaw of course in the semi-finals last year in New Orleans with Kelly Bryant at quarterback couldn't get anything going a very different offensive dynamic obviously with Lawrence Bryant by the way is going to decide and announce it a couple of days whether it's Auburn or Missouri perhaps his next move choosing to leave Clemson unlike Jalen Hertz who stuck around at Alabama and thank goodness for the tide fans he did as he played a huge role and that come back today we talked about that comeback and how it was our our mayhem moment of the day and I just want to tip my cap to Jalen Hertz because in an era where a lot of guys leave personal face mask number 19 that penalty is declined kick catch interference against the kicking team number 18 15-yard penalty first down and there were a lot of guys leave he decided to stick it territory well that is a nice cutback a natural run here at all this is part of what makes him so good inside zone designed to go to the right he felt the overflow by the defense and used his vision to cut that cut that back for big yards good 29 of them he's got it again getting updates in that big 10 championship game we got Mike black former Boise State owes over here watching the Mountain West Conference championship game that's on ESPN and Fresno State Boise State maybe you headed for overtime and the what was once the blue rug but it's now the white rug it's a snow storm up there Boise snow and low-scoring game high o state up ten when they just started the fourth quarter Buckeyes if they do fall short of that playoff bracket head to the Rose Bowl take on Washington yet again it's Carter in the Jets weave he shows the speed didn't need much space to get going and he's out near the first down yeah he in French both to a good job with that jet sweep we keep talking about how it's a big part of Sean Watson's office because they lack a premier passing game so they have to use that jet sweep to keep these defenses honest and just have to do something to complement their running game and it turns out pretty good for him I'm just hanging on in suspense here to see if the Panthers can get double digits and passing yards you got more points than past yards eight of them tonight credible dick at 4:14 so run oldest gonna get first down yardage is the tigers in a pile stop him linebacker playing keep in mind Clemson's playing their backups right now but chad smith nice job along with JD davis being able to gather gate navigate their way through defense a line eating up those blocks and JD Davis to the outside of that block by Aston and Chad Smith came down so they still need a yard it's fourth down offset I asked it in front of Olufsen try to stretch the ball across the line to make his smith tackled him and it's gonna be a first down where they spotted well that took every effort to fight through chad smith to come up with that first down and it's close they're gonna give it to them the entire starting defensive line next to him kind of cheering on the back you want that stop also given the officials look at penetration heck of an effort by Olson to somehow extend that football across the line Bennett does not convinced that he didn't reach the cross before he went down [Applause] right down by 25 they are still not taken to the air they're just trying to grind out whatever they can on the ground they want you to sit on the edge of your seat to see if they get to ten yards you had two more yards to get oh boy if you don't you don't talk about an army or an option attack that often in 2018 do you see a team get five more completed passes actually Miami had what was it six completions in the victory over Pitt yeah that's week six of us yeah [Applause] Oh for a yard runningback comparison court you see two overpass here [Applause] we do not who's gonna be dropped short and it's another fourth down as the Clemson backup starting to get their uniforms dirty now Logan Rudolph right back here watch him chase this from behind he's a backup defensive end he doesn't get many opportunities and so when he does he's going to play with his hair on fire good speed and a good effort guy from the freshman he says I'm tired to have it a clean Jersey I'm gonna get down here in the grass and roll around it look like I played in the game oh good play what do you think here Kirk worth it five either gonna run it now it's a miscue and a turnover or did he did he hold on it's a it's a it's a scrum at the bottom pick it just fighting with a couple Tigers for the football it's gonna be Clemson football either way either on downs what a gentleman had a chance to meet him once the honor happens at a football game Texas A&M game he was associated with that school quarterback change and Clemson and as the Tigers go with chase Bryce the guy came on Kirk heroically rally Clemson from behind against Syracuse after Lawrence had been knocked out had that great laser pass on fourth and nine to keep the drive going III the bear and I are putting together a postseason herby awards and you have to come up with moments of the year plays of the year that fourth and nine you could put up there in a top three four plays of the year because what it meant for Clemson not only that day but here they are still with a chance to win the ACC and be in the playoff inside the 35 we show you that play you were talking about that drive they were back way up needed a touch and they just hit lost Kelly Bryant nobody really knew at the time who he was and this is the play Tootie Higgins chase Bryce makes that throw and etn gets into the end zone and the Tigers survive a scare from the orange but that throw I think a lot of fans will appreciate and remember for a long time no doubt it shows you the value of preparation is the third-string quarterback the previous Sunday yep client leaves Lawrence gets hurt and you go immediately into the hot seat you you produce Jeff Scott and Tony Eliot get a lot of the recognition and attention and they should for this offense because ruko offensive coordinators but Brandon Streeter the quarterback coach and former Clemson Tiger Quarterback himself does incredible work with these guys there's Tony Eliot the one of the offensive coordinators but Brandon street or the quarterback coach does a great job working with them and preparing them for the different opportunities that might come up in prices ready that day number 79 five-yard penalty second down a lot that you point that out as one of the moments of the season because sometimes and the chaos of a college football season it's the Forgotten a moment it could happen early in a season in a sport where there's a small margin for error and if you think back to the game that you and Rico when I was doing the tennis down there in College Station and now am is is battling from behind and Clemson has to stop a two-point conversion in that game or they're in overtime playing the lottery against the agya that was a great win that day in that atmosphere it's going to be just tripped up with the five he was thinking about scoring there how about that pit defense they they all went down on the back watched Weaver for 17 there's no way quarterbacks keeping it and then chase price gets out into the open field the Safety's gone Briggs almost has the speed to get it all the way to the end zone there's Trevor Lawrence cheering him on get in there man so close Pitts defense fool there first and goal to get an addiction scores and the next way the talented tiger is making plays as they stretched the lead and that's a relief to some Tigers fans and other interested parties looking in as they go up by 31 to the PhD coming to serve all customers we should certainly do that was a big score as you said and love to see Dixon get a chance to run the football he is as gifted as any of the backs they have just needs more reps more experience the man he gets out of the open people he's he's fun to watch six touchdowns for the Tigers tonight Hugo's still perfect on the season and p-8s couple of touchdowns he's been stretching that leg out just at his big moment there popped inside the athletic training tent I think it's anything serious it's parasport and taking a turn across the 15 you know we talk Couric about the two-point conversion stop by Clemson way back again stay in a be thinking about this season evolving contending teams how important the two-point conversion plays where this is bedlam Oklahoma asked to hang on as Gundy just rolls the dice it goes for the win they get the stop and then Ohio State survives an accurate throw on a two-point conversion it gets Maryland so you take away the result reverse the result of those three players but a different play out chase it is yeah yeah I mean it's in every single one of those plays you can go back and if you really dissect him you could see how the plays unfolded how easily they could have gone the either way forward pass except by Pittsburgh on Chuck downfield and it's incomplete December 29th semi fine you wouldn't want to send Alabama to Dallas they would there or if it was Oklahoma end up in Miami I personally don't have Oklahoma in the top it's kind of its kind of simple I don't get caught up in the conference I don't get caught up in two teams from one conference I get caught up in what is the committee trying to do in the final weekend give us the best floor well if Georgia was four based on the committee coming into the weekend how in the world can they be right there beating Alabama most of the game the number one team in the country now playing the number one team in the country and then lose at the end by a great effort by Jalen Hertz and Bama and they're gonna go backwards for that effort to mean no they should go forward and the loss at LSU most people lose at LSU so I have no issue with two losses if you're asking me who the best four teams are cannot be left out there'll be a loud chorus of boos for those who don't again want to see to FCC T's much less the same - yeah about that I'm not here is waiting than SEC flag I'm just being truthful in who the four best teams are and if they happen to be from one conference then they happen to be from one conference Matt berry and the Ford wrap up show after the game he's going to be Sports Center on later on and this conversation will continue will give you variety of opinions on that I understand what you're saying I think they're gonna if they're gonna bang the drum loudly and say best for best for best for then endemic it's hard to ignore what George has done I do think that it's gifts could be it would be quite historic there's no precedent for it I knew half the committee is new that may play into it but again championships are supposed to but I don't they don't mean anything and if the only reason they ever mean something is if it comes down to a point where teams are in that cluster yeah and you're gonna separate but you don't have you don't have Oklahoma and Georgia in the same question not based on what I watched Georgia today I don't and and for me look if you want to do metrics that favors Georgia they're in the top five and offers offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency one of only three teams in the country that can say that the other two Alabama and Clemson Alabama's 90th or Oklahoma rather is 90th in defensive efficiency so I just think George is a more complete team I wouldn't argue that I mean there'd be plenty of championship team is much less playoff teams that are absolutely elite on one side of the ball is Oklahoma is let's face it that their offense is historically good level of competition I get it as the Gatorade bath is moves toward Dabo Swinney you got a couple of those defensive linemen Bryant furrow on the case here this has become a regular thing he comes stained and orange purse they're gonna get gonna get Venables they hit him in the head with it he's still all smiles after last week that's a that's a great sign and a great great scene therefore they were coached to talk but they knew they had a comment of a boy that showed up today and even 200 yards total offense by Pitt and they're gonna finish with eight yards passing that was Sweeney it had already been dunked now experience head coach there's been times that he used to wear like the white sweatshirt

Channel: ACC Digital Network

Views: 52,496

Keywords: ACCDigitalNetwork, ACC Digital Network, ACCDN, ACC, College Sports, Division I, NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference, athletics, competition, Championship, college, football, clemson, tigers, pittsburgh, panthers, travis, etienne, trevor, lawrence

Id: SHLzUCSMGC4

Length: 110min 31sec (6631 seconds)

Published: Wed Dec 05 2018