Phil Mafah rushed for a career-best 186 yards and scored two touchdowns as host Clemson upset visiting No. 15 Notre Dame 31-23 on Saturday in South Carolina.
Mafah got the start because Clemson (5-4) was playing without lead rusher Will Shipley, who was ruled out prior to the start of the game. Shipley, who averages 4.6 yards per carry and has scored five total touchdowns this season, had been in concussion protocol since the Tigers’ loss to North Carolina State last weekend.
The victory for Clemson gave coach Dabo Swinney his 166th win, moving him one win past Frank Howard and making him the winningest coach in program history.
Notre Dame (7-3) was led by Audric Estime’s 87 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. The defeat for the Irish means that quarterback Sam Hartman — who transferred in from Wake Forest — will finish his career 0-5 against the Tigers. Hartman threw a pair of interceptions and no touchdowns on a day where he completed just 13 of 30 passes for 146 yards. Hartman did rush for 68 yards and a touchdown.
It’s the first time since 2016 that Notre Dame has lost to multiple ACC teams in the same season.
Clemson jumped out to a 24-6 lead in the second quarter following a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cade Klubnik to Tyler Brown, and then a 28-yard pick-six for a score by linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Notre Dame chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter as Estime and Hartman both rushed for touchdowns.
The Irish had a chance to drive for the game-tying score with 1:47 remaining after Mafah fumbled — which was Clemson’s 11th lost fumble of the season. But Notre Dame’s drive flamed out in six plays, with Hartman throwing four straight incompletions.
Clemson’s defense held the Irish to 3-of-14 on third and fourth down conversions. The Tigers forced Notre Dame into six punts.
The Tigers also played a penalty-free game, while the Irish were penalized five times for 40 yards.
–Field Level Media