AUSTIN, Texas — Give Clemson — especially quarterback Cade Klubnik — some credit for battling to give the College Football Playoff at least a pop of competitive, fourth-quarter juice on Saturday.
The Tigers made it a one-score game early in the fourth and then sought to do it again by driving to the Texas 5-yard line. Things got tense inside Darrell K Royal Stadium.
Then came a telling conclusion.
Three consecutive rushes were stuffed by the Longhorns, who were en route to a 38-24 victory to advance to play Arizona State in the quarterfinals.