Louisville Outlasts Clemson in Thrilling ACC Matchup

Doug Parrish, Football Organically with Doug Parrish Nov 3, 2024, 03:00 PM ET

Death Valley, Clemson, SC — In a game filled with anticipation and storylines, Louisville

came out on top against Clemson in a 33-21 victory that highlighted the skill and resilience of both teams. A special thanks to Ross Taylor and the Clemson Tigers’ staff for arranging my credentials on short notice, allowing me to witness an exhilarating clash in person.

Among the intriguing connections on the field was the presence of my former Cal

teammate from the Bruce Snyder era, Ron English, now the defensive coordinator for

Louisville. English’s defense eJectively neutralized one of the ACC’s most formidable

passing offenses, delivering a memorable performance.

From the outset, both quarterbacks set the tone, confidently launching the ball to their

respective receivers. Clemson quickly established momentum, marching downfield with ease during the first quarter. But Louisville’s defense, under English’s command, found its footing and began pushing back, showing an ability to adapt to Clemson’s dynamic attack.

Late in the second quarter, Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough delivered a spark,

scrambling for a thrilling touchdown. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior hurdled a Clemson defender, a reminder of the importance of fundamentals I learned alongside English years ago in Kent Baer’s defense. Clemson’s defensive backs needed to keep their heads up and wrap up, but in this instance, Shough acrobatically landed in the end zone, giving Louisville a boost just before halftime.

With two minutes left in the first half, Clemson’s offense once again started to carve

through Louisville’s defense, much to the delight of the Tigers’ enthusiastic fans. However, as the game wore on, Clemson’s inability to convert on critical third downs took its toll. Louisville’s defense continued to wear down the Tigers’ offense, stifling them repeatedly in the third and fourth quarters.

Despite Clemson’s late rally to put up 14 points in the final quarter, it was ultimately too

little, too late. Louisville held on to claim a 33-21 victory, silencing the crowd at Death

Valley and solidifying their 6-2 record alongside Clemson’s. The game showcased

impressive performances on both sides, but ultimately, it was Louisville’s resilience and

well-executed defense that made the difference