Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei knew coming into the season there would be a slew of skeptics ready to count out Clemson taking back their rightful place atop the Atlantic Coast Conference, which they enjoyed from 2015-2020.
However, the ninth-ranked Tigers completed a flawless regular-season conference run with a 40-10 blowout over Miami on Saturday. Clemson’s defense was just too good Saturday against the Hurricanes as they extended their home win streak to 40 games.
“I think it shows testament to the guys in the program, sticking with it, staying true to ourselves,” Uiagalelei said. “Just coming out each and every game putting in the work and know it’ll come out.”
Uiagalelei threw for two scores and used his wheels for a third, while Clemson’s defensive unit stifled the Hurricanes to 98 yards of total offense, its fewest this season.
With just “98 total yards– in modern day football– that’s hard to do,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “Really proud of our defense.”
The Tigers (10-1, 8-0) have been victorious in at least 10 games in 12 straight seasons and, for thirty minutes, had their most spectacular showing on both sides of the ball.
Clemson scored touchdowns on three of its first four drives, while Miami (5-6, 3-4) was stymied by the Tigers defense.
Uiagalelei found tight end Davis Allen on a 7-yard touchdown pass, then took it himself into the end zone from 8 yards away, to take a two-touchdown lead, 14-0, with less than 11 minutes gone by in the first quarter.
After safety Jalyn Phillips’ pick, Clemson found pay dirt on Uiagalelei’s 2-yard throw to tight end Luke Price.
“I thought the first half was really clean,” Uiagalelei said. “In the second half, (three) turnovers really killed us.”
Miami could not respond. Freshman signal caller Jacurri Brown, who carried the Hurricanes to a 35-14 win over Georgia Tech last week, was running for his life throughout the game and missing receivers when he had time to throw the ball from a clean pocket.
The Hurricanes could only muster a grand total of 8 yards in the first half.
In the second half, Miami was able to take advantage of Clemson’s careless play to make things respectable. A fumble in the final frame by Uiagalelei was returned to the Tigers 10 and backup Jake Garcia tossed a 1-yard score to Kahlil Brantley to cut things to 26-10.
But that is as close as the Hurricanes could come. They will need a victory over Pitt next week to become bowl eligible in coach Mario Cristobal’s rookie campaign.
“Yeah, they did a good job up front. They’ve got a really good front seven,” Cristobal said. “We didn’t get a ton of movement to get the ground game going.”
The Hurricanes ended the contest with an embarrassing 30 yards rushing on 24 attempts.
Uiagalelei completed 22 of 34 pass attempts for 227 yards and an interception. He also led the Tigers on the ground with 89 rushing yards.
Miami: The Hurricanes were overmatched from the outset by Clemson on offense and defense. “The U” will likely have to hit the recruiting trail and the transfer portal equally hard this offseason to rebuild their program.
Clemson: The Tigers looked as good as they have all year in the first half. Then as bad as possible in the second half. Clemson’s been chasing consistency all season long and still has not put an entire game together as it closes in on an ACC title matchup with dynamic North Carolina in two weeks.
Clemson will look for its eighth consecutive win over rival South Carolina next week. The Gamecocks have not won at Death Valley since a 27-17 decision in 2012, when Steve Spurrier was at the helm. “Coach always tells us the game is a season of its own,” Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. said. “We’re looking forward to it.
Clemson starting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee missed his fourth game this season, this latest one due to strep throat, Swinney said. Bresee missed a win over Louisiana Tech after the death of his sister, Ella, in September. He also did not play in victories over North Carolina State and Boston College earlier this season after getting diagnosed with a kidney infection.
Miami closes the regular-season season at home on Saturday against Pittsburgh.
Clemson finishes at home against rival South Carolina on Saturday.
