I have a feeling Clemson fans will be talking about this one for a long, long time. The Tigers entered the game last night as the underdog, some having the Sooners as much as 6.5 point favorites. However, from the first few minutes of the game until the final whistle, it was clear who the better team was. The Tigers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead via a 65-yard touchdown pass from Stoudt to Freshman wideout Artavis Scott who went basically untouched all the way to the house on the first play from scimmage and never looked back. Stoudt looked to be the guy we saw early in the first half in Athens and in Boston and Winston-Salem and less, MUCH LESS than the guy we say against Georgia Tech and South Carolina. Cole looked much more comfortable and confident and played at the level he was capable of after a rough senior season. We all knew the game would hang on how he performed and he rose to the occasion (and then some) leading his Tigers to a dominating 40-6 win over Oklahoma. The senior was 26-36 for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns and also rushed for 1 touchdown. Easily the best game of his career in Tigertown and well deserved to a guy that gave his all to this program. Fans across the nation called him every name in the book this year (I had a few choice words at times myself, I'll admit) and he played injured the entire season but finished his career in Clemson with a dominating performance. He felt that his game wasn't a redemption game but rather just his last game and him wanting to go out on top...and that's exactly what the bowl MVP did...playing like a true veteran and leader all night for his team.
I think its safe to say that it looks like Coach Swinney has made yet another home run decision with his coaching staff in promoting former Tigers Tony Elliot and Jeff Scott to Co-Offensive coordinators and bringing in Brandon Streeter as the new Quarterbacks coach. The offense didn't skip a beat last night and the Tigers came up with some big plays throughout the game to ensure there would be no Sooner comeback. I can't wait to see how this offense looks next year with a healthy Deshaun Watson and a stable of running backs and wide receivers that could play (and start) at many Division 1 schools across the nation. Hats off to Streeter, Elliot, Jeff Scott, Swinney and of course Stoudt for what looked like perfect game prep and execution last night down in Orlando. The future of this offense looks bright and next year should be a lot of fun for Tiger fans especially if we can get put together a solid offensive line. Watson, Gallman, Artavis Scott, Mike Williams, Deion Cain, Ray Ray McCloud and more all possibly on the field at once...that is going to be a dangerous offense. Make no mistake about it.
If you are a Clemson fan, last night's defensive performance was probably not that big of a surprise. They have played with their hair on fire all season long and you just knew Coach Venables was going to make sure he brought his A game and best performance against his former team. The defense played lights out last night causing five turnovers including a pick-six by LB Ben Boulware who started the fist half for Stephone Anthony who was suspended the first half for a horrible targeting call in the regular season finale against South Carolina. Boulware was in the backfield early and often last night and will be a solid replacement for Anthony next season. The Tigers held the Sooners to just 275 yards of total offense and off the scoreboard until midway through the fourth quarter en route to their second worse bowl loss in the Stoops era. Last night was special and I hope Clemson fans took the chance to sit back and appreciate what was unfolding before their eyes. We have the #1 ranked defense and proved it once again last night. From Vic Beasley to Grady Jarrett to Anthony to Mackensie Alexander and I could go on and on about the future NFL talent and leadership of this defense. It is truly remarkable and will go down as among the best to ever take the field at Clemson.
With the win, that makes it four straight seasons with at least 10 wins and three straight bowl wins over Les Miles and LSU, Ohio State and Urban Meyer and now Oklahoma and Bob Stoops. Not too shabby for a little guy from Pelham, Alabama, ehh? Clemson is one of only four other schools who have won 10 plus the past four years. They join Alabama, Oregon and Northern Illinois as the only teams that can make that claim. Many college football fans had the Tigers losing and some losing big last night but it was Oklahoma who ended up being on the wrong side of a woodshed beating. As ESPN's Chris Fowler tweeted "The only preseason top five team not in the playoffs is spending today behind Clemson's woodshed. Wow, Sooners" It was a dominating game from start to finish and after the first few minutes you just got that feeling that it was the Tigers night to shine. Coach Swinney said after the game, "It was our night tonight. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge but we were ready." he said. With the final countdown to signing day closing in, a win like last night can go a long way to sealing the deal with recruits. Guys want to be a part of games like you saw last night and what is to come for this program. Very proud of what this team accomplished in their "rebuilding year". It is very, very nice to not only expect, but consistently have 10 wins seasons. Its definitely something I can get accustomed to moving forward.
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