WATCH: Notre Dame fans storm field after 35-14 throttling of No. 4 Clemson
Clemson football has made two trips to South Bend in the last three years and both times, the game ended with thousands of blue, green and gold clad fans packing the field after Notre Dame knocked off the Tigers — and Saturday night was no different.
Notre Dame throttled No. 4 Clemson, 35-14. The score betrays how thoroughly and physically the Irish pummeled the Tigers on Saturday night. And when it was all said and done, the Irish fans who have endured some lowly lows this season celebrated what is unquestionably the high water mark of Marcus Freeman’s fledgling head coaching tenure.
And with the game barely in doubt for most of the second half, the fans were primed and ready to take to the turf.
Notre Dame dominated the game behind an unstoppable rushing attack. The Irish had two 100 yards rushers in Audric Estime and (18 carries for 104 yards) and Logan Diggs (17 carries for 114) and averaged 5.6 yards per carry as a team.
At the end of the game, Notre Dame had 263 rushing yards; Clemson had 281 total yards.
Freeman was fired up for team after Notre Dame toppled Clemson
after the game, which moved Notre Dame into bowl eligibility with six wins and could have the Irish eying the national rankings, Freeman seemed equal parts ecstatic and relieved. Ecstatic because of what his team had just done, and relieved that they had finally done what he had been coaching them towards.
“We found a way to win,” Freeman said. “I’ll tell you that. I couldn’t be more proud of this group. You know, this road to where we want to go isn’t always how you see it. You continue to fight, believe in each other, continue to work your tails off, good things come about. And that was today — that a representation of it, today.”
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Freeman explained further what the win can do for his Notre Dame team.
“I think it builds confidence. It builds confidence and belief in what we’re doing,” Freeman said. “And you know, this feeling of victory is something that’s so addicting. That’s what you get out of it. And I’m so excited, I’m ready to celebrate with these guys.”