CLEMSON, S.C. — In the end, half a yard determined the course of the 2016 season in the ACC.
Down a hallway in the west end zone of Memorial Stadium, Dabo Swinney celebrated that half-yard. The Clemson coach talked for more than 30 minutes about his team, its resolve, its ability to thumb its nose at adversity. Then he invited reporters out to Waffle House to celebrate. It was 1:30 in the morning.
Down another hallway, Louisville linebacker Keith Kelsey sat stoic, hands folded on a table, looking down until directly prodded for an explanation of what happened, why that half-yard never materialized.