The box score of second-ranked Clemson’s 47-21 win at then-No. 14 Louisville on Saturday doesn’t tell the whole story for the Tigers from a defensive standpoint, at least not in the eyes of head coach Dabo Swinney and All-American defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
Louisville’s offense, which entered the game averaging 41 points per game and ranked fifth nationally in yards per game (615), was held to a relatively low total of 433 yards including just 116 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, Clemson’s defense shut down Lamar Jackson for the most part. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had just 180 total yards and a touchdown through three quarters before padding his stats when the game was out of hand.