WATCH: Brock Purdy poor decision leads to insane pick-six for Clemson
At one point, the Cheez-It Bowl was a 6-3 game. But it got weird pretty fast late in the third quarter between Clemson and Iowa State.
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy went to throw a pass, but it got tipped. Purdy tried to tip it again, but ended up knocking it right into the hands of Clemson’s Mario Goodrich, who took it to the house for a pick-six.
Just watch it.
Clemson took a 6-3 lead into halftime and finally found the end zone with 4:54 left in the third quarter. In fact, the Tigers took 16 plays and 7:39 to score, using plenty of clock. The pick-six came 53 seconds later and made it a 20-3 Clemson lead.
But then, with 2:27 left in the third, Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw an interception of his own to give Iowa State the ball right back. The Cyclones settled for a field goal to cut the Clemson lead to 20-6 with 1:23 left in the third quarter.
After a slow first half, the third quarter picked up quickly at Camping World Stadium.
Dabo Swinney discusses friendship with Matt Campbell, praises his work at Iowa State
Dabo Swinney and Matt Campbell didn’t have the seasons they expected, but the coaches will be attempting to end their year with a victory. Unfortunately, only one of them will be able to do so on Wednesday.
The respect between the coaches is high, but it’s all out the window as the Cheez-It Bowl arrives. Prior to the game, Swinney discussed his friendship with Campbell, and praised his work at Iowa State.
“First of all, how he’s done it in Ames, Iowa. You know, I mean, I’m not sure of the history of Iowa State, but I know what he’s done since he’s been there has put Ames, Iowa, on the map,” started Swinney. “To be able to go into a place that really hasn’t won at the level he’s won and do it — there’s something unique there.
“I think you have to do it differently, and I think that’s intrigued me. Young guy, came from Toledo, kept up with him a little bit there and watched him from afar. How he’s responded, how they have handled success, how they have handled failure. Listening to him, you can just tell he’s a coach of substance.”
As you can see, Swinney is impressed with the job Campbell’s done at Iowa State. It may not be the College Football Playoff, but a victory will go a long way for either program.