OU Suffers Second Half Loss To Clemson In Orange Bowl

New Year’s will be sweet for Clemson after beating Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve. With the win, the Tigers will advance to the national championship vs. the winner of the Alabama-Michigan State game. 

Game Synopsis

The Sooners came out blazing, scoring at the 11:16  mark from a yard out with a rush up the middle by Samaje Perine. With the score, Perine recorded his 16th touchdown of the year and 37th of his career. The TD also put him at 1,324 yards on the season, ranking him 10th on OU’s single season list. 

On the first drive, OU totaled 75 yards in ten plays.

Deshaun Watson and the Tiger offense took the field looking to even the score but couldn’t get the passing game rolling before sending out the punting crew on 3rd and 7. 

Clemson’s defense gave the Tigers the boost they needed when Shaq Lawson forced Mayfield out of the pocket, resulting in a tackle for loss, marking his 10.5 tackle of the season. 

The Tigers took advantage of the scoring opportunity and tallied three with a field goal to get them on the board. 

The Sooners picked up tempo and started mixing it up with a few shake and bake scrambles from Mayfield along with a pass to his mainstay WR Sterling Shepard for a gain of 16 yards. Joe Mixon got in on the action, recording a first down to help Oklahoma advance upfield. Unfortunately for the Sooners, Clemson made a big stop on 3rd down to end the first quarter.

After back to back trick plays, Watson scored to give Clemson its first lead of the game (10-7). 

At this point, tension was building between both teams, giving the game a Panthers-Giants like feel after shoving and personal foul calls on each side. You could tell that the Tigers were getting up under the Sooners skin, but  playing undisciplined against Watson, who was warming to the game at this point, would be a critical mistake for OU.

Clemson kicker Greg Huegel helped build the Tigers lead 13-7 later in the quarter. OU answered back with a 22-yard field goal from Austin Seibert to make it a 13-10 ball game. In the battle of the kickers, Huegel drilled it again to advance Clemson’s lead 16-10 with 2:17 before the half. 

The Sooners didn’t let down, scoring on a TD connection from Mayfield to Mark Andrews to put Oklahoma ahead, 17-16. With the catch, Andrews set a freshman record with seven touchdown receptions.

An interception in the end zone by Zack Sanchez helped the Sooners carry their lead into halftime.

OU is 10-0 when leading at halftime this season.

Halftime Stats

OU- 257 yds, 31 rush, 1.6 yds per carry, 226 pass, 17/23 pass, 43 plays, 

Clemson- 305 yds, 159 rush, 6.6 yds per carry, 146 pass, 10/24 pass, 47 plays

Clemson opened the third quarter on fire with 75 yards on 12 plays, finishing with a touchdown from Wayne Gallman.

After a huge defensive stop, the Tigers elevated their lead 30-17 when Watson found Hunter Renfrow with the deep ball. At this point, the Sooners were struggling with the run game but Mayfield was passing well.

Clemson clearly controlled the game and had the Sooners where they wanted them as they dominated on both sides of the ball. 

After injuring his left ankle for the second time, mid fourth quarter, Perine was finished. The loss of Perine was evident in Oklahoma's offense. By this time, the Tigers tallied another score to take a 37-17 lead and break the school bowl record 302 rushing yards. 

Clemson held its lead to remain undefeated and win 37-17.