Escape and Survive: Tigers dodge bullet at Louisville

Cordrea Tankersley had a second half interception

David Hood - Senior Writer - Thursday, September 17 2015

LOUISVILLE, KY – Escape and survive.

Ninth-ranked Clemson got another strong effort from the defense and a missed field goal with 2:28 remaining loomed large as Clemson (3-0) defeated Louisville (0-3) 20-17 Thursday night at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

The Cardinals drove down the field on Clemson’s defense late, but Louisville kicker John Wallace’s 38-yard field attempt went wide left and Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 207
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile appeared to pick up a third-and-seven with 1:19 left on the clock to seal the win, but the spot was overturned on review.

Louisville called a timeout and took over at its own 37 after a Clemson punt. Louisville got it to the Clemson 38-yard line with over 40 seconds to play, but a sack by Clemson's Kevin Dodd forced the Cards to run too much time off the clock, and Jadar Johnson intercepted a pass on the game's final play.

Clemson had taken a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, but a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Cardinals’ hope. However, Clemson’s defense came through time and time again and the Tigers now have 16 days to recuperate and fix Thursday’s issues. Clemson’s next game is against Notre Dame on Oct. 3rd in Death Valley.

Clemson’s offense stuttered through a sluggish first half but the Tigers lead Louisville 7-3 at halftime.

The teams managed to slog their way through a listless first quarter, but Clemson finally put a drive together early in the second quarter. Clemson took over at its own 39-yard line late in the first quarter and quarterback Deshaun Watson capped off the drive with a 32-yard dart to Hunter RenfrowHunter Renfrow
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-10, 176
Myrtle Beach, SC
View Full Profile for the 7-0 lead.

Clemson’s defense was outstanding in the first half, but a 55-yard pass set up a late Louisville field goal. The Tigers were able to run the final 1:29 off the clock in the half.

Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 210
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile carried the ball 24 times for 139 yards, while Watson carried it 12 times for 55 yards. Watson was 21-of-30 for 199 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions.

The second started off with everything going right for Louisville. Watson tried a deep ball that was easily intercepted – his second of the night – and the Cardinals made the Tigers pay. Louisville drove down the field with ease and scored on a one-yard run by Jeremy Smith to take a 10-7 lead.

The Tigers were able to answer, however. The Tigers got tough running from Gallman and a nice pitch-and-catch from Watson to Scott and drove down to the Cardinal 19. On fourth-and-three the Tigers called a timeout – initial indications were the Tigers might go for it – but Greg HuegelGreg Huegel
Fr. Punter / Kicker
#92 5-11, 180
Blythewood, SC
View Full Profile drilled the 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10 with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter.

The Clemson offense got the tight ends involved on its third drive of the second half as the unit had three catches for 51 yards, including the touchdown catch by Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Jr. Tight End
#16 6-5, 252
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile, putting the Tigers ahead of Louisville 17-10. Clemson lined up in a funky formation with everyone tight on the line of scrimmage and then made Mitch HyattMitch Hyatt
Fr. Offensive Line
#75 6-6, 285
Sugar Hill, GA
View Full Profile an eligible receiver, hiding Leggett who snuck down the center of the field catching a 25-yard pass from Watson.

The Tigers led 17-10 at the end of the third quarter, but Louisville had driven to the Clemson 39-yard line. However, the Cardinals were forced to go for it on fourth-and-seven and the defense held again, setting up the Tigers’ next score.

Clemson used nine plays to drive 54 yards – most of it on the legs of Gallman – and ended up with a 27-yard field goal from Huegel as the Tigers took a 20-10 lead with 9:57 to play.

Louisville then took advantage of Clemson’s coverage issues. Huegel kicked off and Traveon Samuel took it 100 yards for the touchdown, outrunning Clemson’s defenders to the endzone to make it 20-17 with a little over nine minutes to play.

Clemson vs. Louisville Box Score