ARLINGTON, Texas – Second-ranked Clemson dominated No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3 and earned a bid to its third national championship in the last four seasons.
After a slow start in the first quarter that finished in a 3-3 draw, the Tigers (14-0) turned on the jets and scored 27 unanswered points to claim its first Cotton Bowl Classic victory in 78 years (1940).
Clemson dominated the course of the game on both sides of the ball. It finished with 538 yards of total offense behind a stellar performance from freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence who finished 27-of-39 for 327 yards and three touchdowns.