By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Clemson struggled offensively, but defense and special teams were keys to win.

1. With 70 seconds remaining in the game, Will Gardner completed a 73-yard pass to James Quick that set up Louisville at the Clemson eight. The Cardinals looked poise to escape Death Valley with a win, but the Tigers held firm and survived a scare, 23-17.

2. Clemson suffered some bad news when freshman sensation Deshaun Watson left the game in the first quarter with a broken finger. It was apparent just how much Watson’s absence effected the Tigers offense. Clemson averaged 45.5 points in the two games Watson started, but was held to a pedestrian 23 points and 229 yards of total offense.

3. How much trouble did Clemson have on offense? The Tigers had no offensive touchdowns on Saturday. Special teams and defense were at the forefront as Adam Humphries started things with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown after Louisville’s opening possession. Behind 10-7, Grady Jarrett recoverd a Reggie Bonnafon fumble in the end zone to help Clemson regain the lead. Then, kicker Ammon Lakip took over as he connected on three field goals and nine points.

4. Louisville’s Bonnafon completed a 39-yard pass to Dominique Brown early in the second quarter that helped setup Brown’s two-yard touchdown run to make it 10-7 in Louisville’s favor. Despite this, Bonnafon struggled in the first half and early third quarter. He completed five of 13 passes for 62 yards, but was sacked four times. Bobby Petrino relied on Gardner, who was previously injured. Right away, Gardner led the Cardinals to touchdown that tied the game 17-17. Gardner was effective as he went 10-for-16 for 150 yards and a touchdown.

5. Another series contender in the Atlantic Division dropped Saturday. Louisville now sits at 1-2 in the conference and the division title will likely not be up for grabs when the Cardinals and Florida State face off. The question at Clemson is how long Watson could be out with the broken finger. The Tigers need Watson back in the lineup as Cole Stoudt managed to pass for 162 yards on 20 of 33 attempts.