LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Clemson’s defense did not play its best game of the season by far.
In fact, there were times Friday, during the Tigers’ 20-19 win over No. 20 Louisville, they were run over by the Cardinals’ rushing attack. Running back Keyjaun Brown averaged 9.0 yards per carry and tallied 135 yards on 15 carries.
Louisville (7-3, 4-3 ACC) amassed 385 total yards and averaged 6.5 yards per play. Yet, the Cardinals scored just 19 points.
Part of the reason is because Louisville missed three kicks, including an extra point. Part of it, though, was because the defense, despite its struggles at times, held the Cardinals to four field goal attempts, including several big plays late in the game that led to two miss kicks, including potential game-winners in the final four minutes.