MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Snap judgments from the first half of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl between No. 1 seed Clemson and No. 4 seed Oklahoma:
1. Clemson can’t replace Shaq Lawson.
The Tigers’ All-America defensive end suffered an apparent knee injury during the game’s first series, leaving the field on a drive that ended with Oklahoma’s first touchdown. While he returned for Clemson’s second defensive series, sacking Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield to force a punt, Lawson then missed the remainder of the first half.
Lawson could be seen after leaving the game for the second time with his helmet off, a towel draped around his neck and his left knee wrapped in ice.