Before the game, there was talk that Clemson could be on upset alert. There were people claiming the U would take a huge step forward with a win over a top 10 team at home on National TV.
And then the game started.
Directed by their stellar QB Deshaun Watson, and a defense for which the Miami Offensive Line had no answers, the Tigers sprinted out to a 21-0 lead.
The action started with a 9 play, 65 yard TD drive, capped with a perfect throwback screen from Watson to Jordan Leggett for a 34 yard score.
That was a GORGEOUS play. Offense stayed static, Defense rushed, hit throwback to TE, easy TD
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 24, 2015
On the next drive, Miami's first chance with the ball of the game, the Canes were driving for a tying score, based mainly on Brad Kaaya throwing the ball. But, on a replay of 3rd down, bad things happened.
Penalty gives us another shot.......but Kaaya throws an interception trying to get the ball to Coley. Clemson ball.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 24, 2015
Yeah, total stare down. Very bad throw. And, with the interception coming at the 6 yard line, there went a scoring opportunity by the wayside.
With the ball once more, Clemson continued to dissect the Miami defense, driving 84 yards in just 5 plays to push the lead to 14-0.
Shortly after that, Clemson pushed their lead to 21-0, and the first quarter mercifully came to an end.
However, things got worse in the 2nd quarter.
Trailing 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter, Brad Kaaya took a huge hit on a sack. And, to make matters worse, he was evaluated for a concussion. According to the WQAM broadcast, Kaaya failed that test and was ruled out of the rest of the game.
After that, there was 1 bright spot for Miami: a 73 yard Justin Vodel punt.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOOK AT THIS PUNT: <a href="https://t.co/jvwbskqntN">https://t.co/jvwbskqntN</a> <a href="https://t.co/wQshwjcFhE">pic.twitter.com/wQshwjcFhE</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/657970178597240833">October 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Other than that, it was more of the same.
Clemson would work a drive to push the lead to 35, capped by a Deshaun Watson run. And, on the next offensive snap for Miami, Malik Rosier, replacing the concussed Brad Kaaya would throw an interception which Clemson CB Cordrea Tankersley would return some 30-odd yards for a touchdown.
That ended the scoring for the half, with Clemson leading 42-0. Miami tried to set up a hail mary to end the half, but that pass fell incomplete, much like the Canes' effort since, well, kickoff.
So, to recap, Brad Kaaya is out with a concussion, Clemson is doing WHATEVER THEY WANT, and the result is a score line of 42-0 with a half yet to play.
In summation, I offer you this tweet.
This is LITERALLY the worst.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 24, 2015
Yeah.