Clemson football: Observations during the Tigers' 15-point win against Louisville

CLEMSON – There is considerable debate as to whether Clemson is out of the College Football Playoff race.

The Tigers' 31-16 victory against Louisville on Saturday may not have swung the discussion in a positive direction, but it did have some positives.

Clemson, which fell from a projected spot in the national semifinals to No. 10 this week after a 35-14 loss at Notre Dame, won its 39th consecutive home game to extend an Atlantic Coast Conference record and clinched outright the ACC's Atlantic Division title. The Tigers last week clinched a berth in the ACC Championship Game, but now won't have to rely on any tiebreakers to claim the berth.

Clemson turned back a team on the rise. Louisville, which lost its first three ACC games, had won three straight and added a fourth consecutive overall victory last week in a 34-10 pounding of James Madison. Since a 31-7 loss to Syracuse in their season opener, the Cardinals had averaged 33.1 points per game.

Clemson improved to 8-0 against the Cardinals, a series that began in 2014 when the Cardinals joined the ACC. The Tigers have won 38 consecutive home games, the longest win streak in ACC history. None of the players on Clemson's roster has ever lost at Memorial Stadium.

Here are our observations during Clemson's victory against Louisville.

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Looking for upset:Louisville football has avenged 2 of its close losses from a year ago. Is Clemson next?

6:55 p.m. | Clemson football's defensive lapse allows Louisville to close gap

The victory clinched and style points needed for CFP relevance, Clemson's defense had an ill-timed lapse.

Louisville, with reserve quarterback Blake Domann, moved 75 yards for a last-play score.

The Cardinals missed a touchdown on an offensive pass interference call, then had a receiver miss a catch while wide open in the end zone. Linebacker Barrett Carter then sacked Domann, but on fourth down, Domann threw a touchdown pass to Braden Smith.

A 21-point victory was reduced to 15.

Final: No. 10 Clemson 31, Louisville 16.

6:49 p.m. | Clemson football ices game, helps CFP chances?

Clemson's defense quickly stopped Louisville's last chance to remain in the game, stopping the Cardinals on four downs with relentless pressure on reserve quarterback Brock Domann.

The offense then put it away.

On the next play, Phil Mafah ran 39 yards, breaking tackles to fall into the end zone. Mafah has 106 yards on 10 carries.

The Tigers need impressive margins of victory in order to have any chance to finish in the top four of CFP ranking.

4Q: No. 10 Clemson 31, Louisville 10, 2:13.

6:44 p.m. | Clemson football commits third turnover, gives Louisville last chance

As Clemson tried to run down the clock, Will Shipley gave Louisville another chance.

Shipley fumbled while trying to avoid a big loss on a third-down carry. Louisville recovered at its 35 with 3:34 remaining. It has no timeouts remaining.

6:37 p.m. | Clade Klubnik enters at quarterback for Clemson football

Cade Klubnik replaced DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback for the third consecutive game, but with a 14-point lead and 5 minutes remaining, Clemson likely made this move to take advantage of Klubnik's ability as a runner.

Uiagalelei left having completed 19 of 27 passes for 185 yards with a touchdown and 15 rushes for 32 yards with a touchdown.

Klubnik gained 13 yards on his first run.

6:34 p.m. | Barrett Carter comes through for Clemson football's defense

After Louisville kept its hopes alive by converting a fourth-and-2 after gaining 19 on a third-down run, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter snuffed the drive with an interception.

Carter, who barely missed snagging an interception of a Brock Domann pass tipped at the line by KJ Henry, jumped a short route pass and intercepted the ball at the Clemson 42. He fell forward for a yard, giving Clemson the ball at its 43.

The play may have secured the win, but in its bit to climb back into the College Football Playoffs picture, Clemson could use another touchdown.

4Q: No. 10 Clemson 24, Lousville 10, 5:40.

6:20 p.m. | Louisville football misses an opportunity to close gap

Needing a score to remain in striking distance as the game entered the fourth quarter, Louisville was unable to take advantage of field position.

The Cardinals defense forced a three-and-out with Clemson punting from its 17. Aidan Swanson managed only a 39-yard kick, and Louisville's Braden Smith returned it 9 yards. Louisville started the possession at the Clemson 47.

The Cardinals generated two quick first downs to move to Clemson's 25, but the drive stalled there. After a fourth-down pass went incomplete when officials apparently missed a holding penalty by the Tigers, Clemson took over.

4Q: No. 10 Clemson 24, Louisville 10, 10:57.

6:05 p.m. | Clemson football takes strong lead into final quarter against Louisville

Clemson appeared in control as its game against Louisville entered into the fourth quarter.

An Antonio Williams fumble near midfield on its final possession of the third quarter could have been a problem, but the defense forced a three-and-out.

Clemson had 363 yards total offense, and Louisville had 249.

DJ Uiagalelei has 185 yards passing and has completed 19 of 27 passes. Williams has 10 receptions for 83 yards, and Will Shipley has 78 yards on 12 rushes.

End of 3Q: No. 10 Clemson 24, Louisville 10.

5:53 p.m. | Louisville football's Malik Cunningham reportedly out for game

ESPN reported that Louisville has declared start quarterback Malik Cunningham would not return to the game.

Cunningham started with a soft cast on his right forearm, appeared to have injured a leg in the second quarter and then fell on his right hand on the final play of the first half, rolling in pain afterward.

5:48 p.m. | Louisville football responds with Brock Domann at QB

Just as it appeared Clemson was about to run away from Louisville, reserve quarterback Brock Domann gave the Cardinals some life.

He completed three consecutive passes -- for 11, 8 and 54 yards -- to put Louisville at Clemson's 3.

The Tigers' defense -- which had just given up the longest play by an opponent this season -- stiffened, including a 10-yard sack of Domann.

Louisville settled for a 22-yard field by James Turner.

3Q: No. 10 Clemson 24, Louisville 10, 5:57.

5:45 p.m. | Clemson football's DJ Uiagalelei, receiver?

DJ Uiagalelei has had a strong game passing and rushing, and on Clemson's first series of the second half, he became a receiver.

He lateraled to Antonio Williams and floated to the left. Williams passed to Uiagalelei, who gained 6 yards. A holding penalty against Jordan McFadden negated the play.

One play later, Will Shipley's incredible 25-yard run (see below) overshadowed the creativity of the previous call.

5:39 p.m. | Clemson football's Will Shipley's legs are just fine

Clemson's Will Shipley reportedly injured his right hand while blocking in the first quarter, but there's nothing wrong with his legs.

Shipley scored on a 25-yard run in which he hurdled a would-be tackler and one step after landing, shrugged off simultaneous above-waist hits from each side and raced into the end zone.

3Q: No. 10 Clemson 24, Louisville 7, 10:32.

5:30 p.m. | ESPN reports Malik Cunningham returns to locker room

Brock Domann started at quarterback for Louisville in the second half, and ESPN's Tiffany Blackmon reported that Malik Cunningham had returned to the locker room after being on the sideline when the team returned for the third quarter.

Domann's first pass was nearly intercepted by Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Domman went 1-for-2 on the first drive, but Clemson forced a three-and-out.

5:25 p.m. | First-half stats show Clemson football's dominance

Clemson led Louisville 17-7 at the half, and the Tigers also had a strong statistical edge.

Clemson had 255 yards on 42 plays with 16 first downs and went 3-for-7 on third-down conversions. DJ Uiagalelei appeared to have cleared the struggles that led to his being benched during the previous two games. He did lose a fumble while being sacked, but otherwise played well. He was 14-for-20 passing for 155 yards with a touchdown pass to Antonio Williams and rushed nine times for 28 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown run.

Will Shipley had eight rushes for 45 yards, and Williams had six receptions for 59 yards.

Louisville had 160 yards, 80 on its lone scoring drive. Quarterback Malik Cunningham was 10-for-13 for 75 yards. The Cardinals had 85 yards rushing, 44 coming on a Jawhar Jordan run to ignite their scoring drive and 16 on the scoring run by Tiyon Evans.

Louisville had seven first downs and converted two of six third-down opportunities.

5:16 p.m. | Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham injured on final play of first half

Louisville's best play is Malik Cunningham, a quarterback who is the Cardinals' leading rusher as well as passer.

He entered the game with a soft cast on his left -- no-throwing -- forearm. During the second quarter, he got up after a play favoring one leg.

Then on the final play of the half, Louisville decided not to go for a field goal on fourth down from the Clemson 40. While a hail Mary pass was expected, the Cardinals elected to let Cunningham scramble.

And he did, for 26 yards. Then he stumbled and fell. On his right hand. He was rolling in pain.

If Cunningham is unable to return in the second half, Louisville would turn to Brock Domann, who started Oct. 8 against Virginia, when Cunningham was out because of the arm injury.

Domann passed for 275 yards and rushed for 71. He had a pass and a run for a touchdown, both career firsts. Overall, he is 27-for-54 for 409 yards with three interceptions and one interception. He has 13 rushes for 63 yards.

5:05 p.m. | Clemson football finishes first half on positive note

Clemson has talked often this season of the importance of the middle eight -- the final four minutes of the first half and the first four of the second half.

The first four went quite well for the Tigers on Saturday.

Clemson drove 80 yards in 10 plays covering 3 minutes, 52 seconds and scored with 32 seconds left.

DJ Uiagalelei, who had lost a fumble on the previous drive, completed four of five passes for 36 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to Antonio Williams on an inside route over the middle. Clemson was aided by a 15-yard pass interference penalty against the Cardinals.

Will Shipley, who injured his right hand apparently while blocking on a pass late in the first quarter, carried three times for 18 yards, but fumbled on his first carry. Joseph Ngata recovered for Clemson.

Halftime: No. 10 Clemson 17, Louisville 7.

4:45 p.m. | Clemson football's DJ Uiagalelei loses fumble

After an impressive start, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei made the kind of mistake that has resurfaced the past couple of weeks.

With Clemson facing a third-and-14 on the Cardinals' 36, Uiagalelei tried to escape from the pass rush. He was holding the ball below his waist, and a Louisville player knocked the ball loose.

The Cardinals' YaYa Diaby recovered, and Louisville took possession at its 46.

4:22 p.m. | Louisville cuts into Clemson football's lead

Without a first down during its first two possession, Louisville broke through on its third.

The catalyst was a 44-yard run by Jawhar Jordan. Clemson was blitzing a linebacker, but the Cardinals had a longer snap count, forcing Jeremiah Trotter to stop at the line to avoid an encroachment penalty. Malik Cunningham handed off to Jordan, who burst through the gap.

Cunningham also had a 19-yard completion on the drive, and Tiyon Evans rushed 16 yards for the touchdown on a play in which the Cardinals brought in a tight end and a fullback for extra blocking.

2Q: No. 10 Clemson 10, Lousville 7, 14:17.

4:14 p.m. | First quarter goes to Clemson football

Louisville closed the first quarter with two big plays to get into Clemson territory, but the period belonged to the Tigers.

Clemson outgained the Cardinals 158-54 -- and that's after a 44-yard run by Jawhar Jordan when Louisville caught the Tigers in a blitz -- and had nine first downs to Louisville's two.

End of 1Q: No. 10 Clemson 10, Louisville 0.

4:05 p.m. | Props to Clemson football running back Will Shipley

It won't get the notice that his numerous runs receive, but the big play in Clemson's second scoring drive was made possible by Will Shipley.

One play after slithering for 4 yards and a first down, Shipley stuffed a blitzing Louisville linebacker, giving quarterback DJ Uiagalelei the time and room to complete pass to Antonio Williams that gained 36 yards.

That gave the Tigers a first down at the Cardinals' 20, and four plays later, BT Potter converted a 19-yard field goal attempt.

1Q: No. 10 Clemson 10, Louisville 0, 2:25

3:59 p.m. | Clemson football's Bryan Bresee sacks Louisville's Malik Cunningham

It has been a difficult season for Bryan Bresee. His lost his sister to cancer, and he's had health problems.

On Louisville's second series, Bresee had a good moment.

With Louisville facing a third-and-6, Bresee twisted around a pass-blocker and sacked Louisville's dual-threat quarterback, Malik Cunningham, forcing a punt.

1Q: No. 10 Clemson 7, Louisville 0, 5:35.

DJ Uiagalelei leads Clemson football to first-possession touchdown

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has struggled the past two weeks, renewing the bad memories of his struggles in 2021, but he had little trouble leading the Tigers to a touchdown on their first possession.

He opened with two carries for 11 yards, then missed badly on two passes -- one tipped and almost intercepted -- but then was perfect the rest of the 12-play, 75-yard drive.

He was 3-for-3 for 41 yards passing, including converting two third-down plays, and then scored on an 11-yard run.

1Q: No. 10 Clemson 7, Louisville 0, 10:17.

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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Observations during win against Louisville