LOUISVILLE, Ky — Clemson gave Louisville every opportunity but the Cardinals couldn’t take advantage as the Tigers held on to win 20-19.

Louisville kickers missed an extra point in the first half and then missed two fourth quarter field goals, one with under two minutes left that likely would have won it for the Cards.

Sometimes you need a little luck.

Frustrating Night

After having played fairly well over the past few weeks, the offense was back to early-season form in the first half on Friday night. The Tigers tried to attack the perimeter over and over again and more often than not the result was not what anyone wanted. Very few times did Clemson try to attack down the field. Once again, the play calling was questionable at times.

Cade Klubnik had his moments throwing the ball but there were not enough of them. The senior also had a boneheaded play, on a 4th and 1, when he tried handing it to Peter Woods while the defensive lineman wasn’t even looking for the ball.

Klubnik finished 22-of-34 for 187 yards.

Then, after the missed FG by Louisville midway through the fourth quarter, the offense gets the ball back up one point and can’t even muster a first down. The offense had a chance to go and put it away, but just couldn’t do it.

To make matters worse, a bad snap on the punt attempt gave the Cards the ball deep in Clemson territory. Fortunately for Clemson, Cardinal kickers just couldn’t put it through the uprights.

More of Running Game

Adam Randall needed to be fed the ball more. The senior had fewer than eight carries through the first three quarters despite averaging six yards per rush over that span. Gideon Davidson only had four rushes in the first three quarters, while also netting six yards per attempt.

Randall then broke off a 46-yard run that set Clemson up at the Cards’ 3-yard line with under eight minutes left. Three plays later, Randall punched it in from one yard out on another fourth down, putting the Tigers up 20-19.

Randall went over 100 rushing yards and averaged over seven yards per carry with two touchdowns. He also had 27 receiving yards. He averaged 7.3 yards per touch. Clemson needs more of that down the stretch.

Defense Does Enough

Louisville’s offense absolutely owned the line of scrimmage in the third quarter. The Cards had 134 yards of offense in the third quarter alone. 100 of those came on the ground.

Time and again, running backs Keyjuan Watson and Duke Watson had gaping holes to run through. It was very reminiscent of what Louisville did to Clemson last season in Death Valley. The Cards averaged over seven yards per play in that quarter.

However, it was a little different down the stretch over the final 15 minutes of play. The Cards only had two rushing yards in the entire fourth quarter as the defense bowed up and got the needed stops.

The Cards were just 2-of-11 on third downs and 0-for-1 on fourth downs.

3rd Down Woes

If you can’t convert on third down, you’re not going to win many football games. And Clemson didn’t convert a single one through the first three quarters. The Tigers finally did convert one in the fourth quarter and finished the night 1-for-13. Somehow, they still managed the win.

Drops

Too many drops for the Clemson pass catchers. The Tigers were officially charged with five and could have easily been charged with two more. Tristan Smith and Olsen Patt-Henry had big ones.