GLENDALE, Ariz. — No. 2 Clemson shut out No. 3 Ohio State 31-0 on Saturday to win the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and get back to the national championship game for the second straight season. The Tigers improved to 13-1 on the year, while the Buckeyes fell to 11-2. Here is a look back at how Clemson earned the victory:

What happened?

Clemson was in control of the game from start to finish, as the Tigers jumped out to a 17-point lead at halftime en route to the win. Clemson opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal by Greg Huegel at the 9:16 mark of the first quarter before Deshaun Watson added a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:16 left in the frame. Clemson extended its lead to 17-0 before halftime on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Watson to C.J. Fuller with 2:21 remaining in the first half.

After the break, following several missed opportunities to add points, Clemson finally took control of the game on a 7-yard touchdown run by Watson with 2:03 left in the third quarter. Ohio State’s offense looked as if it would respond when it drove into Clemson territory on its next two possessions, but interceptions by Cordrea Tankersley and Van Smith ended the threats. Following the pick by Smith, who returned it 86 yards, Wayne Gallman’s seven-yard touchdown run two players later put an exclamation point on an emphatic victory for the Tigers.

What went right?

Watson was outstanding as usual, throwing for 259 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns, including two rushing touchdowns, while rushing for 57 yards on 15 carries. His only blemishes were two interceptions in the first half. But Clemson’s defense was the story of the night. Clelin Ferrell and company limited Ohio State to just 215 total yards, including only 88 rushing, and forced two turnovers while recording 11 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. The Tigers also broke up five passes. Ferrell finished with one sack and three tackles for loss, while Carlos Watkins contributed two sacks and two tackles for loss.

On the offensive side of the ball, Wayne Gallman rushed 18 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. Mike Williams led Clemson’s receiving corps with six catches for 96 yards.

Clemson had 470 total yards to Ohio State’s 215. The Tigers went 8-for-17 on third down, while the Buckeyes were just 3-of-14.

What went wrong?

Not much except for Watson’s two interceptions. His first came on Clemson’s second play from scrimmage and created early momentum for Ohio State while putting them in good field position, but Clemson’s defense bailed him out. The second wasn’t costly, either, and the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize on either turnover.

Game-changing moment?

Ohio State had its chances to put pressure on Clemson early in the game, but Ohio State kicker Tyler Durbin missed two field-goal attempts to prevent the Buckeyes from cracking the scoreboard. The first miss followed Watson’s first interception before the second kept Ohio State from tying the game near the midway point of the first quarter.