Cheez-It Bowl: Clemson grinds out victory over Iowa State 20 – 13

The Cheez-It Bowl played tonight at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL featuring the Clemson Tigers against the Iowa State Cyclones. Clemson entered the game 9-3 overall 6-2 AAC and Iowa State came in 7-5 overall 5-4 Big 12.

Both teams started slow in the first quarter with Clemson having the only score of the quarter off the foot of BT Potter for a 23 yard field goal. The pace carried through the rest of the half with both teams settling for field goals. Iowa State’s Andrew Mevis split the uprights from 22 yards out early in the quarter. Then a little over 7 minutes later Potter hit a long field goal from 51` yards for Clemson to break the tie and give the Tigers a 6-3 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of halftime, neither team overwhelmed the other in moving the ball offensively but Clemson seemed to have a slight edge. With just under 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, Clemson’s Will Shipley found the end zone with a 12 yard run for the first touchdown of the game. Less than 1 minute later on the ensuing Iowa State possession, Clemson defender Mario Goodrich intercepted the Cyclones QB Brock Purdy and returned it 18 yards for another Tigers touchdown. The score extended Clemson’s lead 20-3.

Iowa State was able to regroup on their next possession and get within field goal range for Mevis to convert from 45 yards out before the end of the 3rd quarter. Iowa carried their momentum into the fourth quarter and with 9;42 left to play, finally found the end zone with a 6 yard touchdown pass from Purdy to Charlie Kolar. That would prove be the last score of the game for both teams with Clemson holding on for the 20-13 victory

Although not a season Clemson fans have been accustomed to over the past few years, the Clemson win closes out their season on a 6 game winning streak boasting a 10 win season for the 11th consecutive season. The only other FBS teams to achieve such an accomplishment are Alabama and Florida State.

“That’s not easy to do. That’s what we set out to do back in 2009 – to become a consistent winning program. Not going to win the National Championship every year. We’re not going to win the league every year, and we are not going to the playoff every year.

But if we can be a consistent program on and off the field, then we’ll have those special moments.“
Clemson Head Coach, Dabo Sweeney

Attendance: 39,051

Offense:

Clemson – 315 total, 20 first downs, 3rd down conversions 9 of 18, time of possession 32:10

Iowa State – 270 total, 14 first downs, 3rd down conversions 6 of 15, time of possession 27:50

Rushing:

Clemson (128 yds) – W. Shipley 18/63 yds 1TD, K. Pace 12/53 yds

Iowa State (66 yds) – J. Brock 14/44 yds

Passing:

Clemson (187 yds)– DJ Uiagalelei 21/32 187 yds 1INT

Iowa (204 yds) – B. Purdy 23/39 204 yds 1TD 1INT

Receiving:

Clemson – D. Collins 6/56 yds, W. Shipley 5/53 yds