Clemson continues to be in a category of its personal within the ACC.

The highest-ranked Tigers welcomed No. 7 Miami to city on Saturday night time and got here away with a commanding 42-17 win.

And if it weren’t for just a few Clemson errors, the rating would have been much more lopsided. The one time Miami reached the top zone earlier than rubbish time got here on a self-described “horrible” choice from head coach Dabo Swinney.

Swinney despatched his subject objective group onto the sector for a 61-yard strive within the last seconds of the primary half. Predictably, the low-trajectory kick was blocked, scooped up by Miami and returned for a landing as time within the first half expired.

The play, certainly one of three blocked subject targets for Miami within the sport, gave the Hurricanes a quick shred of hope that they may pull a big street upset, however it will not final lengthy.

The groups traded punts to open the second half, till Travis Etienne made a play solely he might make. The All-American working again tight-roped the sideline and exploded for a ridiculous 72-yard landing.

It was certainly one of many highlight-reel performs for Etienne on the night. He rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns whereas additionally catching eight passes for 73 yards within the win. Trevor Lawrence threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to eight totally different targets within the course of. Tight finish Braden Galloway led the best way with 74 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

His first got here on a nifty throwback display screen the place the complete offensive line froze earlier than getting out within the open subject to information Galloway to the top zone.

Story continues

It was a play that set the tone as Clemson completely outplayed one other outmatched opponent. Miami, although, has clearly proven enchancment. Final 12 months, the Hurricanes limped to a depressing 6-7 end that included a 14-Zero loss to Louisiana Tech within the Independence Bowl.

Within the offseason, Manny Diaz introduced in D’Eriq King, a graduate switch quarterback from Houston, and Rhett Lashlee as his offensive coordinator. That pairing was on show in Miami’s 3-Zero scorching begin, however by no means had a lot of an opportunity towards the Tigers. King rushed for 84 yards and a rating, however was simply 12-of-28 for 121 yards and two interceptions by the air.

It was simply additional proof of how vast the hole is between Clemson and the remainder of the convention. And it’s probably that Swinney gained’t face a ranked group till Nov. 7 after they should journey to face Notre Dame, which is presently ranked No. 5 within the nation.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns within the win over Miami. (Picture by Dannie Partitions/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)

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