Ben Boulware scores off an interception. Photo credit to Tigernet.com
Clemson finished up it’s season with a 40-6 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in Orlando. The 34 point victory was the second worst loss by the Sooners during Bob Stoops’s career, trailing Oklahoma’s 36 point drubbing by the USC Trojans during the 2005 (2004 season) Orange Bowl.
The Tigers started the night by forcing an Oklahoma punt and getting the ball on their own 35. On the first offensive play for the Tigers from scrimmage, Cole Stoudt connected on a screen to Artavis Scott who took the ball 65 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers would also score on an Ammon Lakip field goal and a 47 yard pick 6 by linebacker Ben Boulware to close out the first quarter with a 17-0 lead. The domination kept coming As the Tigers scored 10 points in the second quarter, and continued to hold the Sooners to 0.
In the 3rd quarter, starting QB Cole Stoudt punched in a two yard touchdown to extend the lead to 34. Late in the 3rd quarter, Stoudt took a hit to the face that knocked off his helmet after throwing a touchdown to Germone Hopper. Stoudt popped up after the hit and and waved for Clemson fans to get louder as he headed to the sideline. There was some brief worry as he was receiving attention for his eye, but it turned out that his contact lens at come loose. Stoudt was all smiles on the sideline and went back in on the next drive.
Stoudt threw for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named Russell Athletic Bowl MVP in his final game as a Tiger. Oklahoma was finally able to get on the board as RB Alex Ross was able to score a fourth quarter touchdown on a defense made up of mostly bench players. Clemson DE Shaq Lawson blocked to Sooners PAT attempt.
With the game being in hand, coach Dabo Swinney was able to call timeouts in both a fourth quarter defensive series and offensive series to let his seniors exit the field in a final “curtain call”. The Seniors received a standing ovation from the orange and purple clad fans.
This is the 4th straight year that the Tigers have won at least 10 games. Clemson joins Alabama, Oregon, and Northern Illinois as the only four schools to accomplish this feat over the last 4 seasons. This senior class finishes with 42 wins, the most in Clemson history. The Tigers also finish the year as the #1 defense in the nation.