As Cullen Harper’s third down pass to C.J. Spiller started to
head toward the Nebraska end zone late in the fourth quarter of the Konica Minolta
Gator Bowl Thursday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was already dreaming about
getting that congratulatory handshake from Nebraska’s Bo Pelini.
But Nebraska free safety Matt O’Hanlon had other ideas.
As it appeared Spiller was
hauling in a game-winning touchdown with 1:37 to play, Hanlon somehow got enough on
the football to knock it out of Spiller’s hands where he hit the ground desperately
reaching for the ball. It turned out to be the last big play the Cornhuskers needed
in a 26-21 victory.
“I thought it was a touchdown,” Swinney said. “I thought it was game over. I already
had visions of going over and shaking coach Pelini’s hands and going back to
Clemson.”
Spiller thought it was a touchdown too, but in the end he acknowledged the play
O’Hanlon was able to make when the game was on the line.
“Their defender did a great job of putting his hand on it,” the junior said. “It
probably came from a lack of concentration, too. The ball just didn’t bounce our
way.”
Concentration, or the lack there off, seemed to be the Tigers (7-6) problem all
afternoon. Clemson squandered good scoring opportunities in the first half when the
offense shot itself in the foot with poor execution, costly penalties and turnovers,
while the defense let two miss tackles spring long second half runs by Quentin
Castille that led to 10 Nebraska points.
Nebraska also blocked a Mark Buchholz' 20-yard field goal try in the second quarter.
“It hurts to lose a game like this because we were so close,” said Clemson
linebacker DeAndre McDaniel, who scored Clemson’s first touchdown on a fumble
return. “But you have to give Nebraska credit. They got it done when they had to and
held on at the end.”
After Nebraska’s Alex Henrey made his fourth field of the afternoon to give his team
a 26-21 lead with 5:20 to play, the Tigers appeared headed towards a game-winning
score when Harper hit wide receiver Jacoby Ford for 17 yards on a fourth-and-four
play with 2:26 to play.
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"It hurts to lose a game like this because we were so close,” said Clemson
linebacker DeAndre McDaniel, who scored Clemson’s first touchdown on a fumble
return. “But you have to give Nebraska credit. They got it done when they had to and
held on at the end.”
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On the next play, Harper hit Aaron Kelly near the sideline for 17 more yards, giving
Clemson a first-and-goal at the Nebraska 10.
“There were several opportunities for us, especially at the end, but you have give
Nebraska credit, they made the plays,” Swinney said.
The biggest play was Spiller’s drop.
“I made that play in my sleep,” Spiller said. “We ran that play so many times in
practice. I knew we would have a good match up, and I just didn’t make the big play
that we needed and I didn’t come through for the team.”
But maybe the game should have never come down to that one play late in the game in
the first place. The Tigers led by scores of 14-3 at the break and 21-10 in the
third quarter, but still the Huskers (9-4) found a way to rally.
After Harper hit Jacoby Ford for a 41-yard touchdown pass with 10:06 to play in the
third quarter to give Clemson its 21-10 lead, Castille came back with a 58-yard
jaunt up the middle on the very next offensive play.
“It was a missed tackle,” Clemson safety Michael Hamlin said. “Someone had him
locked up in the backfield and he just broke loose.”
Nebraska quarterback, and Gator Bowl MVP, Joe Ganz then broke loose for his second
touchdown pass to Todd Peterson for a 19-yard score on third down-and-long.
“I was disappointed in the two quick touchdowns we gave up to begin the second half,
especially the second one,” Swinney said. “We had just scored on a big play to go
back up 11 points, but then they went right back down and scored. I was disappointed
in that.”
Swinney was also disappointed in his offense and special teams, which gave the
football up to Nebraska on back-to-back drives inside their own 30. Harper had a
pass picked off after it deflected off of Ford’s chest, and punter Jimmy Maners’
punt on the next possession was partially blocked.
Both misuses led to Henry field goals and gave Nebraska a 23-21 lead going into the
fourth quarter.
“The difference in winning and losing is just four or five plays,” Swinney said.
It looked like those plays were going to be on Clemson’s side in the second quarter
when McDaniel caused a fumble and then picked up the loose ball for a 28-yard score
and cornerback Crezdon Butler had a 63-yard interception return that setup Kelly’s
25-yard scoring reception just before the half.
The Tigers led 14-3 at halftime.
“I’m extremely disappointed and frustrated that we did not win,” Swinney said. “You
come down here to win and I’m proud of the kids, they competed to the last play and
handled themselves with class.
“We just didn’t quite perform well enough to win.”
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