Notre Dame Football vs. Clemson Review: Studs and Duds

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) stiff arms Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) stiff arms Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame got a defining win against Clemson Saturday night. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
Notre Dame got a defining win against Clemson Saturday night. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team shocked the No. 1 team in the country, Clemson, in double OT on Saturday night, 47-40. Here are the Studs and Duds.

Finally, the Notre Dame football program showed up and came out victorious over a top-ranked squad for the first time since the Irish defeated Bobby Bowden’s No. 1 ranked Seminoles in 1993. Prior to Saturday night’s victory, Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly’s biggest victory was a 30-13 triumph over No. 5 Oklahoma in 2012.

This win, despite the absence of superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence, represents a major moment for the program under Kelly, and might propel the Notre Dame football team to greater heights.

This victory took tremendous performances from the entire Irish roster. As a team, Notre Dame dominated Clemson in the trenches. The Irish out-rushed the Tigers, 208 yards to 38 yards.

It took a concerted effort from the Notre Dame offensive line and the front seven of the Irish defense. This dominance allowed players like quarterback Ian Book and running back Kyren Williams to shine.

Despite needing stellar performances from the vast majority of the Notre Dame roster, the Irish made several mistakes that led to the game being tighter. A false start, a fumble and a key drop all directly removed points from the board.

Optimistically, these mistakes give the Notre Dame football team room for improvement for a possible rematch that will include Lawrence and a trio of Clemson defensive starters that missed Saturday’s contest.

Here are three stars and three duds from Notre Dame’s 47-40 victory over No. 1 Clemson, beginning with those who shined brightest in South Bend on Saturday.