University of Louisville
2-1 , 1-1
CLEMSON
3-0 , 1-0
No. 14 Football Falls at Home to No. 3 Clemson
September 17, 2017 | Football
Lamar Jackson accounted for 381 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson accounted for 381 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, but the No. 14 Cardinals fell 47-21 at home to third-ranked Clemson in a Saturday night Atlantic Coast Conference showdown.
Jackson passed for 317 yards and three TDs, but most of that came with things already in hand for Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC). The Tigers' Dorian O'Donnell returned an interception 44 yards for a TD and a 26-7 third-quarter lead, and they sacked Jackson four times. Kelly Bryant had TD runs of 8 and 1 yards sandwiched around a 79-yard scoring pass to wide-open Ray-Ray McCloud in the second quarter.
Jackson had TD passes of 11 yards to Charles Standberry, 36 yards to Jaylen Smith and 8 to Dez Fitzpatrick. But the junior struggled to throw and run all night for Louisville (2-1, 1-1 ACC). The Cardinals were outgained 613-433, saving face somewhat with a 14-point fourth quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Clemson: After three wins over the Cardinals by 15 combined points, the Tigers left no doubt this time. Questions about the offense after a 14-6 win over Auburn were effectively answered with their second 40-point effort in three games, this against a ranked opponent. Bryant had time to find receivers that were frequently open, particularly on the long TD against busted coverage that sapped all the energy in the hostile environment dressed in black. The defense yielded 433 yards, but it didn't matter after doing its best work in the first three quarters.
Louisville: A game-tying drive in the first quarter was the Cardinals' only bright spot on a night nothing worked. As bad as things were for Jackson, it's much worse for their defense. They yielded at least 500 yards for the second time in five games dating back to last season and failed badly in their quest to not only avenge last year's 42-36 loss to the Tigers, but prove they could be an ACC contender.
UP NEXT
Clemson: The Tigers host Boston College on Sept. 23.
Louisville: The Cardinals host Kent State on Sept. 23, looking to bounce back against a Golden Flashes team that Clemson routed 56-3 on Sept. 2.
Team Stats
CU 7, LOU 0
CU - K. BRYANT 8 yd run (HUEGEL kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:55
CU 7, LOU 7
LOU - Standberry, Ch. 11 yd pass from Jackson, Lam. (Creque, Bla. kick) 6 plays, 95 yards, TOP 1:58
CU 10, LOU 7
CU - HUEGEL 31 yd field goal 8 plays, 41 yards, TOP 3:25
CU 16, LOU 7
CU - McCLOUD 79 yd pass from K. BRYANT (HUEGEL kickblocked) 4 plays, 90 yards, TOP 1:25
CU 19, LOU 7
CU - HUEGEL 49 yd field goal 11 plays, 49 yards, TOP 2:49
CU 26, LOU 7
CU - O'DANIEL 44 yd interception (HUEGEL kick)
CU 33, LOU 7
CU - K. BRYANT 1 yd run (HUEGEL kick), 11 plays, 66 yards, TOP 5:14
CU 33, LOU 14
LOU - Smith, Jay. 36 yd pass from Jackson, Lam. (Creque, Bla. kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:31
CU 40, LOU 14
CU - CHOICE 39 yd run (HUEGEL kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:49
CU 40, LOU 21
LOU - Fitzpatrick, De 8 yd pass from Jackson, Lam. (Creque, Bla. kick) 11 plays, 85 yards, TOP 4:19
CU 47, LOU 21
CU - ETIENNE 81 yd run (HUEGEL kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:24
