Targeting Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, Clemson hopes to maintain its late-season surge.
Florida’s Jacksonville In late October, after two straight one-score losses to Miami and North Carolina State, Clemson’s season looked like it was about to fall apart.
The Tigers had a choice to make at 4-4 and well out of the Atlantic Coast Conference title chase and College Football Playoff picture.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik stated, “That could have gone one of two ways.” “We made the decision that we wouldn’t give up on the guys standing next to us or these seniors. Simply dipped our hands into the soil, carried on, and exclaimed, “Let’s go win the first one.”
“That one, the next, and the next one, and the next one, we won. We are now at 8 o’clock.
And with a five-game winning streak and a victory over Kentucky (7-5) in the Gator Bowl on Friday, the Tigers can now end their worst season since 2010.
Phil Mafah, a running back, said, “It just shows that we have no quit.” “We’re going to react when our backs are against the wall. Whatever we have to deal with, we will react.
What had appeared to be coach Dabo Swinney’s worst season at Clemson in his fifteen years was saved when the Tigers defeated rival South Carolina, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Notre Dame.
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December 26: Although Clemson is used to competing on large stages, there are consequences for missing out on double-digit wins for the first time since 2010.
The 22-year-old Tigers, who finished the season with a 5-1 record, will play Kentucky in the Gator Bowl on Friday in Jacksonville, Florida. They weren’t considered for the College Football Playoffs or one of the major bowls.
Before their 31-23 victory over Notre Dame at home became the first of four consecutive victories in November, Clemson (8-4) was at.500. This victory preserved what looked to be a lost season.
“Everyone had a decision to make to be 4-4,” stated Dabo Swinney, the Tigers’ coach. “Our group maintained a positive outlook, continued to find solutions, and decided to think that the glass was still half full.
“They performed a fantastic job. They’ve won four straight games, they advanced from a 4-4 record to the Gator Bowl, and this is a fantastic chance for us to end the season with a bang.”
Clemson is 26-23, so this will be the 50th bowl game in program history. It will also be the Tigers’ tenth Gator Bowl appearance. Clemson’s Gator Bowl record is 4-5.
Kentucky (7-5) has traveled to northeast Florida in the opposite direction. The Wildcats defeated Louisville, who was ranked 10 at the time, with a strong win after losing five of their previous six games.
The Wildcats advanced to their third consecutive Gator Bowl after defeating their in-state rivals on November 25. Their first two trips were divided. Kentucky has a 12-10 record overall in bowl games.
“There’s been some ups and downs through this season,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I like this football team. They’ve stayed with it all year. Things haven’t always been pretty … but I like the way they fought and hung tough.”
Wildcats star running back Ray Davis declared for the NFL draft and later indicated on social media that he will play in the Gator Bowl.
Davis has set a school record with 20 total touchdowns (13 rushing, seven receiving) and his 1,066 rushing yards rank 13th on the school’s single-season list.
“I’ve been really pleased with him making that decision to come (play) when he doesn’t really have to,” Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “It gives us another playmaker to get the ball in his hands and go win this football game.”
Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary will be playing against Clemson for the fourth time in his career. During his time at North Carolina State, he went 1-2 against the Tigers with losses in 2019 and 2022.
But in 2021, he passed for 238 yards and four touchdowns as the Wolfpack upset No. 9 Clemson 27-21 in double overtime.
“It’s kind of ironic to see them again,” Leary said. “They’re a great team. We know it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Six starting Clemson defenders have chosen to sit out the game, so Leary will be facing some new faces. While safety Andrew Mukuba, cornerback Toriano Pride, and defensive end David Ojiegbe entered the transfer portal, first-team All-ACC linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (who recorded a team-high 88 tackles), first-team All-ACC cornerback Nate Wiggins, and third-team All-ACC defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro are getting ready for the NFL draft.
Although the carnage could have been worse, safety R.J. Mickens and linebacker Barrett Carter, who was named to the All-ACC second team, announced that they would be returning in 2024.
“You have a tough decision to make, but you have to really weigh out the pros and cons,” Carter stated. “So I felt like I had some unfinished business here.”
Wideout Beaux Collins, who went through the portal and transferred to Notre Dame, cost the Clemson offense a starter.
The schools will meet for the fourteenth time this year. Although Clemson prevailed 21-13 in the most recent meeting of the series in the 2009 Music City Bowl, Kentucky still leads the series 8-5.