Ohio State coach Day expects QB Fields to play vs Alabama
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day hugs quarterback Justin Fields after their win against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Ohio State won 49-28. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he expects Justin Fields to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama after the quarterback was banged up during the semifinals. Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon took Fields' place on the call. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
Fields' day: No. 3 Ohio State routs No. 2 Clemson 49-28
Ohio State won 49-28. 11, where Clemson coach Dabo Swinney placed Ohio State on his ballot in the final regular-season coaches' poll. Ohio State beat the Crimson Tide in the semifinals on the way to the 2014 national championship. “This performance by this team I hope will go down in Ohio State history as a landmark victory,” Day said. Ohio State did not give details about their absences, but all four had played in the Big Ten championship two weeks ago.
Clemson linebacker Skalski ejected for hit on Fields
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields runs past Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)NEW ORLEANS – Clemson starting middle linebacker James Skalski has been ejected from the Sugar Bowl for a tackle that knocked Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields out of the game for one play. Officials concluded that Skalski committed targeting by leading with the crown of his helmet when he hit Fields in the ribs. After that touchdown, Fields was 12 of 13 for 173 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He entered the Sugar Bowl with 39 tackles, including 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in eight games.
Lawrence, No. 4 Clemson rout No. 2 Notre Dame for ACC title
2 Notre Dame 34-10 on Saturday to win its sixth straight ACC title. “His ability to run really stresses your coverage calls,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. Clemson has won all nine games Lawrence has started by at least 18 points and their average margin of victory in those games is 33.6 points. “We are trending in the right direction and we are playing our best football,” Lawrence said. Notre Dame: Notre Dame hopes to edge No.
QB Uiagalelei rallies No. 1 Clemson to 34-28 win over BC
Uiagalelei stepped in for Lawrence on Saturday and rallied the top-ranked Tigers to a 34-28 victory over Boston College after they fell behind by 18 points. “It's the same mindset that I had this week,” Uiagalelei said. A jarring week for Clemson ended with its 28th straight win over league competition, 10th straight over the Eagles and 27th in a row at home. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told his team at halftime, “Don't flinch.”“It's been a long time since we've been down like this,” he said. Boston College took advantage of the Clemson chaos early on with TDs on its first two series.
No. 1 Clemson wakes up late to beat Syracuse 47-21
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has seen plenty of tight games against Syracuse. 1 Clemson used a late boost to pull away to a 47-21 victory after Syracuse drew with a score at 27-21. Syracuse (1-5, 1-4 ACC), a 45-point underdog, rallied from 17-0 down to draw within a touchdown late in the third quarter before Clemson regained its footing. The Syracuse Orange couldn't finish this one off, however.
Clemson D, Lawrence falter as LSU rolls to championship
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)NEW ORLEANS, LA – Clemson relied all year on a strong defense and quarterback Trevor Lawrence to give itself a shot at a second straight national title. In the end, Clemson gave up 1,144 yards in its two playoff games, including a semifinal win over Ohio State. It was just he second time in 30 college games Lawrence did not throw a TD pass. Lawrence and the defense had always been able to close things out before in winning the past 29 games. The 6-foot-6 Lawrence will return for his junior year after going 25-1 as a starter the past two years.