Clemson Football:

Where did they go this season?

Charlize Bennett

 

 

During the 2020-21 season, Clemson had won ten out of their twelve games. They fell right behind Alabama, making Clemson the second best team this season. For the Tigers, many things come their way, so let’s dig in. 

Clemson has had a rough time with their defense, so much so that they were eliminated from the College Football Playoffs. Weakside linebacker Baylon Spector, after hearing the news, decided to return for his fifth season, alongside safety Nolan Turner for his last season. Tuners return back for his last season with the team has said to be  a “big boost” because the new safeties the team recruited, as SBNation says, “have not found their groove.” He has received the highest PFF ranking of Clemson’s safeties. Going back to the defense portion, even though Clemson has struggled with their defensive line, they have been starting two freshmen and a sophomore, making the mix beneficial because of the added year. 

Trevor Lawrence, the team’s best player, has been getting the Tigers through the year. So far, he has had twenty-four touchdowns as the quarterback. As a junior, he has already entered the NFL Draft, one step closer to the big leagues. Lawrence led the Tigers to the national championships as a freshman. David Hale, a ESPN writer, included in an article of his a quote from Trevor that read, “‘Looking back on it, I hope my legacy is that I was a great teammate and a great person overall, more than how I played. It’s how I treated people. I want that to be the main thing I’m known for.’” This being his last year, he has helped Clemson a whole bunch, being a great team leader and a player. After their last game, Trevor Lawerence received the Heisman Trophy and Clemson wished him his best as he now is headed to the NFL. 

Their season came to an end when during the Sugar Bowl, the semi-finals, they had a devastating loss against Ohio University. The score 28-49 put them to shame and they returned home after their sixth-consecutive time making it into the College Football Playoffs. Ohio started the game off strong, not allowing the Tigers to make a comeback during the second quarter. Clemson shares, “The Tigers’ comeback effort was quickly thwarted when Fields connected on a 56-yard touchdown bomb with Chris Olave to extend the Buckeye lead to 42-21.” Every touchdown after that, that was made by the Buckeyes, put the game out of reach for Clemson. 

Even though Covid-19 made the season slow and came with many restrictions, the Tigers found ways to make this season worth every practice and every game. Thanks to their coach, Dabo Swinney, for leading them a long way into the semi-finals.