Ad Disclosure
Clemson’s defense has posted staggering stat over three-game CFP winning streak
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Dabo Swinney’s squad is on a run over the past two seasons with a shot at back-to-back national championships.
The last loss for Clemson came in the 2017 Sugar Bowl to Alabama. Since that time, the Tigers have won 19 straight games including three straight games in the College Football Playoff.
During that run, some of the stars have been QB Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. However, the real star for Clemson has been its lights-out defense and defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
According to a stat shared by ESPN College GameDay co-host Chris “Bear” Fallica, the Tigers have allowed just seven second-half points over their past three CFP games. In those games against Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, Clemson has recorded nine second-half sacks:
In the 2nd half of its last 3 CFP games – vs Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State – Clemson’s defense has more QB sacks (9) than it has allowed points (7).
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) January 7, 2020
Those points came on a lone fourth-quarter touchdown by the Buckeyes in this year’s Fiesta Bowl. Last season, Clemson allowed just a first-quarter field goal in a rout of Notre Dame and shutout Alabama in the second half of last year’s National Championship Game.
This year, LSU and Heisman winner Joe Burrow presents a whole new set of challenges. Will Clemson continue to dominate in the second half?
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.