ARLINGTON, Texas — After news broke of All-American Dexter Lawrence’s suspension, pending appeal, due to testing positive for a banned substance people questioned how second-ranked Clemson would replace his impact on the defensive line.
The Tigers didn’t have any drop off in their 30-3 beat down of No. 3 Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic and College Football Playoff Semifinal. They earned a trip to the CFP National Championship Game in Santa Clara, Calif.
Defensively Clemson shut down the Irish holding them to 248 yards of total offense and 88 yards rushing while recovering a fumble and sacking ND quarterback Ian Book six times.