| 2020Clemson Tigers football | |
|---|---|
ACC champion | |
| Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 3 |
| AP | No. 3 |
| Record | 10–2 (8–1 ACC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive coordinator | Tony Elliott (6th season) |
| Offensive scheme | Spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Brent Venables (9th season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Memorial Stadium |
Uniform | |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5Notre Dame y^ | 9 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3Clemson y$^ | 8 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 22Miami (FL) | 7 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18North Carolina | 7 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State | 7 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | 5 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pittsburgh | 5 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Tech | 5 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wake Forest | 3 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 3 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | 3 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duke | 1 | – | 9 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | 1 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship:Clemson 34, Notre Dame 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The2020 Clemson Tigers football team representedClemson University during the2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coachDabo Swinney, in his 12th full year. The Tigers competed as a member of theAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games atMemorial Stadium inClemson, South Carolina.
The season was played amidst the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic. The ACC settled on an eleven-game football schedule, with ten conference games with no divisions and one non-conference game. Clemson canceled their previously scheduled non-conference games againstAkron andSouth Carolina, and kept their game againstThe Citadel. Precautions were taken to reduce the spread of the virus, including testing, isolation requirements, and limitations on the number of fans in attendance.
Clemson began the year ranked first in the preseasonAP Poll, and handily won their first seven games of the season, including a 42–17 win over then-No. 9Miami (FL). Starting quarterbackTrevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19 on October 29, and was forced to miss the team's next two games againstBoston College and temporary ACC memberNotre Dame. The team escaped with a close win against Boston College, but lost on the road to then-No. 4 Notre Dame in double overtime, 47–40. Clemson won the remainder of their regular season games, and earned a place in theACC Championship Game by finishing second in the division-less format with an 8–1 record, behind Notre Dame. In the rematch against the Fighting Irish, this time with Lawrence at quarterback, the Tigers were victorious by a score of 34–10, to win their sixth consecutive ACC title. In the finalCollege Football Playoff rankings of the season, Clemson was ranked second, earning them a place in the national semifinal to be played at theSugar Bowl against third-seededOhio State, a rematch ofthe previous season's Fiesta Bowl. Clemson lost the rematch, 49–28, to end the season at 10–2 and ranked third in the final polls.
Junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the team on offense with 3,153 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. He was named ACC Player of the Year and finished second in voting for theHeisman Trophy. The team's leading rusher wasTravis Etienne, who was named aconsensus All-American all-purpose back.Amari Rodgers was the team's leading receiver and was named first-team all-conference. On defense, the team featured two first-team all-conference members in linemanBryan Bresee and cornerbackDerion Kendrick. Bresee was named the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Clemson's 2020 recruiting class consisted of 23 signees.[1] The class was ranked as the best class in theACC and the third best class overall according to the247Sports Composite.[2]
| College recruiting information (2020) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
| Ajou Ajou WR | Clearwater, FL | Clearwater Academy International | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 27, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Sergio Allen ILB | Fort Valley, GA | Peach County | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | Jul 26, 2018 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| DeMarkus Bowman RB | Lakeland, FL | Lakeland | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | May 3, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Bryan Bresee DT | Damascus, MD | Damascus | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| DeMonte Capehart DT | Bradenton, FL | IMG Academy | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jun 5, 2018 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Fred Davis II CB | Jacksonville, FL | Trinity Christian | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Apr 8, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Sage Ennis TE | Tallahassee, FL | Lincoln | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jun 17, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Malcolm Greene S | Highland Springs, VA | Highland Springs | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Trent Howard OG | Birmingham, AL | Briarwood Christian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Dec 6, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Mitchell Mayes OG | Raleigh, NC | Leesville Road | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | Mar 11, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| R.J. Mickens CB | Southlake, TX | Carroll | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Apr 6, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Myles Murphy DE | Powder Springs, GA | Hillgrove | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 271 lb (123 kg) | May 17, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Walker Parks OT | Lexington, KY | Frederick Douglass | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Oct 21, 2018 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Kobe Pryor RB | Cedartown, GA | Cedartown | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 18, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Trenton Simpson OLB | Charlotte, NC | Mallard Creek | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Dec 14, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Kevin Swint DE | Carrollton, GA | Carrollton | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Paul Tchio OG | Alpharetta, GA | Milton | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 334 lb (151 kg) | Nov 25, 2018 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Bryn Tucker OG | Knoxville, TN | Knoxville Catholic | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 292 lb (132 kg) | Mar 14, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| DJ Uiagalelei QB | Bellflower, CA | St. John Bosco | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | May 5, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Tyler Venables S | Central, SC | D. W. Daniel | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 2, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| EJ Williams WR | Phenix City, AL | Central | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Aug 24, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| John Williams OT | Canton, GA | Creekview | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Sep 1, 2018 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Tre Williams DT | Washington, D.C. | St. John's College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 308 lb (140 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
| Recruit ratings:Rivals: | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Rivals: 2 247Sports: 3 ESPN: 1 | ||||||
Sources:
| ||||||
| Player | Team | Position | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Pollard | Baltimore Ravens | OL | [3] |
| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demarkcus Bowman | 1 | RB | 5'10" | 190 | Freshman | Lakeland, FL | Florida | [4][5] |
| Chase Brice | 7 | QB | 6'2" | 207 | Loganville, GA | Duke | [6][7] | |
| T. J. Chase | 18 | WR | 6'1" | 185 | Plant City, FL | FAU | [8][9] | |
| Xavier Kelly | 22 | DE | 6'4" | 265 | Wichita, KS | Arkansas | [10][11] | |
| Johnathan Boyd | 46 | LB | 6'2" | 217 | Lilburn, GA | Delta State | [12] |
Listed in the order that they were released
| Award | Player | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lott Trophy[13] | Justin Foster | DE | SR |
| Doak Walker Award[14] | Travis Etienne | RB | SR |
| Davey O'Brien Award[15] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
| Butkus Award[16] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
| Jim Thorpe Award[17] | Derion Kendrick | CB | JR |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy[18] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
| Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
| Outland Trophy[19] | Jackson Carman | OL | JR |
| Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
| Paul Hornung Award[20] | Amari Rodgers | WR | SR |
| Wuerffel Trophy[21] | Darien Rencher | RB | SR |
| Maxwell Award[22] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
| Travis Etienne | RB | SR | |
| Manning Award[23] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
Clemson had games scheduled againstAkron andSouth Carolina, which were both canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[24][25] This was the first season since1908 that the Tigers did not play South Carolina.
The ACC released their schedule format on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date.[24] Specific game dates were released on August 6, 2020.[26]Florida State cancelled their scheduled game with Clemson the morning of the game after Clemson had already traveled to Florida State's campus.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 12 | 7:30 p.m. | atWake Forest | No. 1 | ABC | W 37–13 | 68 | |
| September 19 | 4:00 p.m. | The Citadel* | No. 1 | ACCN | W 49–0 | 18,609 | |
| October 3 | 8:00 p.m. | Virginia | No. 1 |
| ACCN | W 41–23 | 18,735 |
| October 10 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 7Miami (FL) | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 42–17 | 18,885 |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. | atGeorgia Tech | No. 1 | ABC | W 73–7 | 11,000 | |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 1 |
| ACCN | W 47–21 | 18,629 |
| October 31 | 12:00 p.m. | Boston College | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 34–28 | 18,690 |
| November 7 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 4Notre Dame | No. 1 | NBC/USA | L 40–472OT | 11,011 | |
| November 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Pittsburgh | No. 3 |
| ABC | W 52–17 | 18,819 |
| December 5 | 7:30 p.m. | atVirginia Tech | No. 3 | ABC | W 45–10 | 250 | |
| December 19 | 4:00 p.m. | vs. No. 2Notre Dame | No. 3 |
| ABC | W 34–10 | 5,240 |
| January 1, 2021 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 3Ohio State* | No. 2 | ESPN | L 28–49 | 3,000 | |
| |||||||
| Week | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Final |
| AP | 1(38) | 1* | 1(60) | 1(59) | 1(55) | 1(52) | 1(59) | 1(54) | 1(52) | 1(33) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Coaches | 1(38) | 1* | 1(37) | 1(44) | 1(42) | 1(46) | 1(55) | 1(52) | 1(52) | 1(43) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| CFP | Not released | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Not released | |||||||||||
| Name | Position | Alma mater | Years at Clemson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dabo Swinney | Head coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 13th |
| Brent Venables | Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Coach | Kansas State University (1992) | 8th |
| Danny Pearman | Assistant head coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends | Clemson University (1987) | 11th |
| Tony Elliott | Offensive coordinator/running backs Coach | Clemson University (2002) | 5th |
| Brandon Streeter | Assistant coach, Passing Game Coordinator, Quarterbacks | Clemson University (1999) | 6th |
| Todd Bates | Assistant coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Defensive tackles | University of Alabama (2004) | 3rd |
| Robbie Caldwell | Assistant coach, Offensive Linemen | Furman University (1977) | 9th |
| Mickey Conn | Assistant coach, Safeties | University of Alabama (1995) | 5th |
| Tyler Grisham | Assistant coach, Wide Receivers | Clemson University (2009) | 1st |
| Lemanski Hall | Assistant coach, Defensive Ends | University of Alabama (1993) | 3rd |
| Mike Reed | Assistant coach, Cornerbacks | Boston College (1994) | 7th |
| 2020 Clemson Tigers Football | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Placekicker
| Offensive lineman
Defensive lineman
Punter | Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snappers | ||||||||
Source:[28]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Clemson | 14 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 37 |
| Wake Forest | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 |
atTruist Field at Wake Forest •Winston-Salem, NC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Citadel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 28 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 10 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 7 Miami (FL) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Clemson | 17 | 35 | 7 | 14 | 73 |
| Georgia Tech | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
atBobby Dodd Stadium •Atlanta, GA
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 17 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 47 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 34 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 40 |
| No. 4 Notre Dame | 10 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 47 |
atNotre Dame Stadium •Notre Dame, IN
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| No. 3 Clemson | 31 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 52 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Clemson | 10 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
| Virginia Tech | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
atLane Stadium •Blacksburg, VA
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 Notre Dame | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| No. 3 Clemson | 7 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
atBank of America Stadium •Charlotte, NC
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Ohio State | 14 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
| No. 2 Clemson | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
atMercedes-Benz Superdome •New Orleans, LA
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 1 | 25 | Travis Etienne | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2 | 46 | Jackson Carman | OT | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 3 | 85 | Amari Rodgers | WR | Green Bay Packers |
| 5 | 181 | Cornell Powell | WR | Kansas City Chiefs |