The 2019 Fiesta Bowl was a
college football
College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.
Unlike most ...
bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is one of a number of post-season college football games that are primarily played by teams belonging to the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). For most of its history, the Division I Bowl Subdivis ...
played on December 28, 2019, and broadcast by
ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
. It was the 49th edition of the
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl is an American college football bowl game played annually in the Phoenix metropolitan area. From its beginning in 1971 until 2006, the game was hosted at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Since 2007, the game has been playe ...
, and was one of the
2019–20 bowl games concluding the
2019 FBS football season. The Fiesta Bowl was one of two
College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual postseason knockout invitational tournament to determine a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level ...
semifinal games, with the winner advancing to the
2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Sponsored by
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), formerly known as Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), is a multinational video game industry, video game and digital entertainment company wholly owned by multinational conglomerate Sony. The SIE Group is ma ...
via its
PlayStation
is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
brand, the game was officially known as the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State raced to a 16–0 lead with 7 minutes remaining in the first half, having three long drives to the
red zone that were stopped by the Clemson defense. Clemson added two quick scores, within 1:35 of each other, to pull within 2 before halftime. The teams exchanged the lead three times throughout the second half. After Clemson scored to make it 29–23, Ohio State had one last chance to take the lead.
Quarterback
The quarterback (commonly abbreviated "QB"), colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern Ame ...
Justin Fields
Justin Skyler Fields (born March 5, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with Georgia, he played college football at Ohio State, where he twice won Graham–Ge ...
led his team to the Clemson 23-yard line, but a pass meant for
Chris Olave
Christian Josiah Olave ( ; born June 27, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he holds the school record of most career to ...
was
intercepted in the
endzone
The end zone is the scoring area on the field, according to gridiron-based codes of football. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field. ...
after a miscommunication.
With the loss, Ohio State fell to 0–4 against Clemson, which it had last played in
2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
, losing 31–0 in a shutout.
Teams
This was the fourth meeting between Clemson and Ohio State. The Tigers had won each of the prior three matchups, most recently the
2016 Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State entered the 2019 season led by first year head coach
Ryan Day following the retirement of head coach
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer III (born July 10, 1964) is a college football TV commentator and former American football coach. He spent most of his coaching career at the collegiate level, having served as the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons fro ...
. The Buckeyes would roll through their schedule with ease winning every game by double digits and defeated
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
in the
Big Ten Championship Game
The Big Ten Football Championship Game is a college football game held by the Big Ten Conference each year to determine the conference's season champion. The game, held after the regular season has been completed, matches the division champions f ...
to move to a 13–0 record. This was Ohio State's third
College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual postseason knockout invitational tournament to determine a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level ...
(CFP) semifinal game. The Buckeyes were 1–1 in prior CFP semifinals, their most recent appearance being a loss to
Clemson in the
2016 Fiesta Bowl. Overall, Ohio State was 2–1 in prior CFP games, including their win over
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
in the
2015 CFP National Championship. This was Ohio State's ninth appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; the Buckeyes were 5–3 in prior Fiesta Bowl games.
Clemson Tigers
![Clemson Offense Fiesta Bowl 2019](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Clemson_Offense_Fiesta_Bowl_2019.jpg)
Clemson entered the 2019 season as the defending national champions after winning their second national championship in three seasons in 2018. Clemson like Ohio State rolled though their schedule with ease winning every game but one by double digits and defeated
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
in the
ACC Championship Game
The ACC Championship Game is an annual American college football game held in early December by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) each year to determine its football champion. From its inception in 2005 to 2022, the game pit the champion of ...
to move to 13–0. The Fiesta Bowl marked Clemson's fifth consecutive CFP semifinal appearance. The Tigers' most recent loss had been to
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...
in the CFP semifinal
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in New Orleans, Louisiana. Played annually since January 1, 1935, it is tied with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl as the second-oldest bowl games in the country, surpassed onl ...
on January 1, 2018; their 28 consecutive victories were the most in the nation and one of
longest winning streaks in FBS history.
The Tigers were 3–1 in prior CFP semifinal games, most recently defeating
Notre Dame in the
2018 Cotton Bowl. Including national championship contests, this was Clemson's eighth overall CFP game; they had a 5–2 record in prior CFP games, mostly recently defeating
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...
in the
2019 CFP National Championship. This was Clemson's second appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; they defeated Ohio State in the December 2016 edition.
Game summary
First quarter
Clemson won the coin toss, and deferred possession to the second half, giving Ohio State the opening
kickoff
Kickoff or kick-off may refer to
* Kick-off (association football)
* Kickoff (gridiron football)
* ''Kick Off'' (series), a series of computer association football games
* ''Kick Off'' (album), a 1985 album by Onyanko Club
* ''Kick Off'' (magaz ...
. Ohio State's offense started strong and following a difficult catch by
Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson (born July 22, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted 10th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. W ...
would find themselves at the 5 yard line but would be unable to reach the
endzone
The end zone is the scoring area on the field, according to gridiron-based codes of football. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field. ...
settling for a
Blake Haubeil
Blake Haubeil is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Titans after the 2021 NFL Draft.
College career
Haubeil was ranked as a threestar r ...
field goal
A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. The entire ba ...
to take a 3–0 lead. On their first possession Clemson would drive to Ohio State's 32 before attempting a field goal that sailed wide left, keeping the score at 3–0. On the first play on the ensuing drive Ohio State's
J.K. Dobbins broke free for a 68-yard
touchdown
A touchdown (abbreviated as TD) is a scoring play in gridiron football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. In Ameri ...
run to give the Buckeyes a 10–0 lead. On the next drive Clemson would drive into Ohio State territory before stalling out and
punting the ball to Ohio State, pinning the Buckeyes at their own 9-yard line. On their next possession, Ohio State would gain just 9 yards and would punt. Clemson's offense would fail to capitalize on the strong field position, going
three and out
''Three and Out'' is a 2008 British black comedy film directed by Jonathan Gershfield and starring Mackenzie Crook, Colm Meaney, Gemma Arterton, Imelda Staunton, and Kerry Katona. It premiered in London on the 21 April 2008 and was released in ...
and punting the ball for a
touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead on or behind a team's own goal line (i.e., in their end zone) and the opposing team gave the ball the momentum, or impetus, to trav ...
. Ohio State started their drive on their 25 and were soon faced with a 3rd and 2. On
3rd down and the final play of the quarter Dobbins would once again break free for a big run, running 64 yards to Clemson's 8 yard line before
Tanner Muse made a shoestring
tackle to prevent a touchdown.
Second quarter
Ohio State began the quarter with a 1st and goal on the Clemson 8 yard line and were soon faced with a 3rd and goal. On 3rd down, Dobbins swung out to the
flat
Flat or flats may refer to:
Architecture
* Flat (housing), an apartment in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and other Commonwealth countries
Arts and entertainment
* Flat (music), a symbol () which denotes a lower pitch
* Flat (soldier), ...
and appeared to catch a touchdown from
Justin Fields
Justin Skyler Fields (born March 5, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with Georgia, he played college football at Ohio State, where he twice won Graham–Ge ...
, however upon
video review it was ruled that Dobbins failed to make the catch, forcing Ohio State to once again settle for a field goal inside Clemson's 10 yard line, making the score 13–0. Following the Ohio State's score Clemson's offense would once again struggle, going 3 and out and punting. Ohio State would then drive 78 yards to Clemson's 11 yard line before kicking a field goal; their 3rd field goal inside the
red zone, to make the score 16–0. On the ensuing drive Clemson would drive to the Ohio State 45, following a failed 3rd down conversion Clemson's drive would stay alive on a
Shaun Wade targeting penalty. Clemson would take advantage of this penalty with a
Travis Etienne
Travis Etienne Jr. (born January 26, 1999) is an American football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Jaguars in the first round of the ...
touchdown rush to cut the lead to 16–7 with 2:45 remaining in the half. Ohio State would then go 3 and out, punting the ball back to Clemson. On the third play of the drive,
Trevor Lawerence would elude defenders running 67 yards for a touchdown, Clemson's second in less than 2 minutes to make the score 16–14 at the half.
Third quarter
The two teams exchanged punts on their opening second half drives, with Ohio State's
Drue Chrisman
Drue Chrisman (born 1997) is an American football punter for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2021 ...
pinning Clemson at their own 1 yard line. Clemson would pick up a first down but were soon forced to punt. On the punt Ohio State would send pressure in an attempt to
block the punt but would
rough the punter and give Clemson a new set of downs. Two plays later Lawrence would connect with Etienne on a
screen pass
A screen pass is a play in gridiron football consisting of a short pass to a receiver who is protected by a screen of blockers. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is b ...
who then ran through defenders for a touchdown to make the score 21–16. Ohio State would lose yards on their next possession and were forced to punt. On the next drive, following a
sack on Trevor Lawerence Clemson was faced with a 3rd and 19. Lawrence would throw a pass to
Justyn Ross
Justyn Ross (born December 15, 1999) is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson.
Early years
Ross attended Central High School in Phenix Ci ...
who corralled the ball before it was jarred loose by
Jeff Okudah
Jeffrey Chidera Okudah (born February 2, 1999) is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2019 before being s ...
, Ohio State would pick the ball up and run to the end zone. The referees and later video review would rule that Ross failed to establish possession of the ball before it was stripped negating an Ohio State touchdown that would have occurred if the play had been ruled a catch and
fumble
A fumble in gridiron football occurs when a player who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed (tackled), scoring, or going out of bounds. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking, punting, or successful ...
. Avoiding disaster Clemson would punt the ball. On the following drive
Isaiah Simmons would
intercept a
Justin Fields
Justin Skyler Fields (born March 5, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with Georgia, he played college football at Ohio State, where he twice won Graham–Ge ...
pass; the games first
turnover. Clemson would fail to capitalize on the turnover, going three and out. Ohio State would then drive 16 yards to their 32-yard line as the quarter ended with Clemson leading 21–16.
Fourth quarter
Ohio State began the third quarter facing a 3rd and 9. Fields would find Dobbins for 11 yards for the 3rd down conversion. Ohio State would drive to the Clemson 23 before being faced with a 4th down and 2 and elected to go for it. Fields would throw a bullet pass to
Chris Olave
Christian Josiah Olave ( ; born June 27, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he holds the school record of most career to ...
in the end zone for a touchdown to take a 23–21 lead. Following a Clemson punt Ohio State would drive 50 yards to the Clemson 39 before being forced to punt, pinning Clemson on the 6. Clemson began their next drive on their own 6 yard line with 3:07 remaining in the game. Clemson would march 94 yards in just 4 plays capped of by a 32-yard touchdown reception from Etienne to retake the lead. Following a
two point conversion
In gridiron football, a two-point conversion or two-point convert is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point conversion immediately after it scores a touchdown. In a two-point conversion attempt, the team that just scored must ru ...
, Clemson would hold a 29–23 lead with 1:49 remaining. Ohio State would then drive to the Clemson 23 with 43 seconds left. On the next play Ohio State had Olave
one-on-one
One on One may refer to:
Film and television
* '' Mansbridge One on One'', weekly TV program on CBC Television
* ''One on One'' (1977 film), a 1977 movie starring Robby Benson and Annette O'Toole
** ''One on One'' (soundtrack), the soundtrac ...
with Clemson
cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such offensive running plays as sweeps and reverses. They create tur ...
Nolan Turner. Olave would run a
post route
A route is a pattern or path that a receiver in gridiron football runs to get open for a forward pass. Routes are usually run by wide receivers, running backs and tight ends, but other positions can act as a receiver given the play.
One popular ...
as Fields threw the ball to the middle of the end zone. Olave with his back to Fields thus not knowing the ball had been thrown would option to
corner route
A route is a pattern or path that a receiver in gridiron football runs to get open for a forward pass. Routes are usually run by wide receivers, running backs and tight ends, but other positions can act as a receiver given the play.
One popular ...
as he believed Fields was
scrambling
Scrambling is a mountaineering term for ascending steep terrain using one's hands to assist in holds and balance.''New Oxford American Dictionary''. It is also used to describe terrain that falls between hiking and rock climbing (as a “scramb ...
.
Turner who was facing Fields was able to track the ball for an easy interception in the end zone, all but ending the game. On the next play Clemson would take a
knee
In humans and other primates, the knee joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two joints: one between the femur and tibia (tibiofemoral joint), and one between the femur and patella (patellofemoral joint). It is the largest joint in the hu ...
to end the game 29–23.
Statistics
References
External links
Game statisticsat statbroadcast.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:2019 Fiesta Bowl (12)
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl is an American college football bowl game played annually in the Phoenix metropolitan area. From its beginning in 1971 until 2006, the game was hosted at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Since 2007, the game has been playe ...
Fiesta
Fiesta Bowl
Clemson Tigers football bowl games
Ohio State Buckeyes football bowl games
2019 in sports in Arizona
December 2019 sports events in the United States