CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Deshaun Watson threw for two touchdowns, ran for a third and Clemson’s defense stopped DeShone Kizer on a tying two-point conversion as the 12th-ranked Tigers held on to beat No. 6 Notre Dame 24-22 on Saturday night.
Tigers linebacker B.J. Goodson had an interception and a fumble recovery to halt two fourth-quarter drives by the Fighting Irish (4-1). But the biggest stop was by defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, who brought down Kizer short of the goal line with seven seconds left.
Kizer rallied Notre Dame from 21-3 down in the second half with two touchdown passes, the last a 1-yard toss to Torii Hunter Jr.
Clemson secured the Notre Dame’s onside kick and closed out the victory, moving to 4-0 for fourth time in five years.
Waterlogged Clemson fans rushed the field when time ran out, celebrating the win over the highest-ranked Tiger opponent since they defeated No. 5 Georgia to start the 2013 season. Those title dreams died a few weeks later when undefeated Clemson was stomped by eventual national champion Florida State, which put up the most points ever scored by an opponent in Death Valley in a 51-14 loss.