Clemson's offense shredded Notre Dame in the first half of the College Football Playoff semifinals on Saturday, entering the locker room up 23–3 in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Tigers wideout Justyn Ross torched the Fighting Irish for 137 yards and two touchdowns, yet it was sophomore Tee Higgins who stole the show as the first half came to a close.
The Tigers faced a first-and-10 at Nore Dame's 19 with nine seconds remaining, opting to take one final shot at the end zone before time expired. Freshman quarterback flung a jump ball toward the right corner of the end zone, leaving Higgins one-on-one.