JACKSONVILLE, FL- The fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl saw the lead change five different times, as Clemson and Kentucky went back-and-forth.
However, it was Clemson that landed the final blow and got the last laugh, as the Tigers scored on a 3-yard rush by Phil Mafah with just 17 seconds left and also converted the 2-point conversion to come away with the 38-35 win. The Tigers outscored the Wildcats 28-14 in the final quarter.
Clemson finishes the season at 9-4 and extends its winning streak to five games. Kentucky drops to 7-6.
Ups
Cade Klubnik: After a slow start. the sophomore quarterback ended the day 30-of-41 for 264 yards, with one interception, that was probably more on the OL than it was him. That second half was definitely a step in the right direction for the young signal caller.
Mafah Man: Phil Mafah rushed for 71 yards and averaged over six yards per carry. The junior back set a Gator Bowl record with his four rushing TDs, and on that final one, he was some kind of resilient. Mafah was not going to be denied.
Jonathan Weitz: The former walk on continued to stay hot. After hitting all three of his attempts in the rivalry win over South Carolina, Weitz hit on three more tries on Saturday. None biggeer than the 52-yarder that bounced off the crossbar and then through the uprights to put the Tiger on top 30-28 with 4:20 left. Not a bad way to end his career. Especially when you consider he was not even on the team to start the season.
Barrett Carter: The junior LB picked off a pass and recovered the fumble that led to one of the Tigers go ahead TDs in the fourth quarter. Carter also added three pass breakups and a half a sack.
Jake Briningstool: The junior tight end hauled in a team high 9 receptions for 91 yards, including a 27-yard catch the set up Clemson at the one on their first TD drive of the game. However, what really stood out was the physicality he displayed on some of those catches.
Winning the Margin: Clemson won the turnover margin 4-1.
Downs
Offensive Line Woes: New OL coach Matt Luke has his work cut out for him between now and the start of next season. Clemson started three underclassmen up front, and it showed. Cade Klubnik was under duress much of the afternoon, as he was sacked six times. The Wildcats had 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
3rd Down Woes: The Tigers struggled mightily on third down for much of the afternoon, converting just four of their first 14 attempts.
4th Quarter Pass Defense: The backend of the defense got absolutely abused over the final 15 minutes. Every time the offesnse got the lead back, the defense gave it back up. Devin Leary threw for 147 yards in the fourth quarter alone. Busted coverages plagued a pass defense that was much improved in 2023.
No Explosiveness: Once again, the Tigers struggled with the downfield passing attack, as the offense averaged just 4.5 yards per play. Clemson had just two pass plays that went for more than 20 yards.
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