# 2017 Clemson Tigers football team

The 2017 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his ninth full year and tenth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley", and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Clemson won the ACC for the third consecutive season by beating Miami (FL) in the ACC Championship game, 38–3. They received their third straight bid to the College Football Playoff, earning the number one seed. The Tigers fell to eventual national champion Alabama in the semifinal game played at the Sugar Bowl, 24–6.

## Schedule

Clemson announced their schedule for the 2017 season on January 24, 2017. The Tigers' schedule consisted of 7 home games and 5 away games. Clemson hosted conference opponents Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest, and traveled to Louisville, NC State, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. The Tigers hosted out of conference games against Kent State, Auburn, and The Citadel, and traveled to arch rival South Carolina to close out the regular season. Clemson's out of conference opponents represented the MAC, SoCon, and SEC.
The Tigers played 10 total teams who played in the postseason in the 2016 season: 2 New Year's Six participants (Auburn and Florida State), 7 other bowl teams (Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech), and 1 FCS playoff participant (Citadel).
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | Noon | Kent State* | No. 5 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ESPN | W 56–3 | 80,121 |
| September 9 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 13 Auburn* | No. 3 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (rivalry) | ESPN | W 14–6 | 81,799 |
| September 16 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 14 Louisville | No. 3 | Papa John's Cardinal StadiumLouisville, KY (College GameDay) | ABC | W 47–21 | 55,588 |
| September 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Boston College | No. 2 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy) | ESPN2 | W 34–7 | 80,525 |
| September 30 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 12 Virginia Tech | No. 2 | Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA (College GameDay) | ABC | W 31–17 | 65,632 |
| October 7 | Noon | Wake Forest | No. 2 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ESPN2 | W 28–14 | 80,567 |
| October 13 | 7:00 p.m. | at Syracuse | No. 2 | Carrier DomeSyracuse, NY | ESPN | L 24–27 | 42,475 |
| October 28 | 8:00 p.m. | Georgia Tech | No. 7 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (rivalry) | ABC/ESPN2 | W 24–10 | 80,346 |
| November 4 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 20 NC State | No. 4 | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC (Textile Bowl) | ABC | W 38–31 | 57,600 |
| November 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida State | No. 4 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (rivalry) | ESPN | W 31–14 | 81,436 |
| November 18 | 12:20 p.m. | The Citadel* | No. 2 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ACCN | W 61–3 | 80,618 |
| November 25 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 24 South Carolina* | No. 3 | Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (Palmetto Bowl / SEC Nation) | ESPN | W 34–10 | 82,908 |
| December 2 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 7 Miami (FL) | No. 1 | Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (ACC Championship Game) (College GameDay) | ABC | W 38–3 | 74,372 |
| January 1, 2018 | 8:45 p.m. | vs. No. 4 Alabama* | No. 1 | Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl–CFP Semifinal / rivalry / SEC Nation) | ESPN | L 6–24 | 72,360 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after October 31 released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time ||||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 5 | 3 | 3 (1) | 2 (15) | 2 (8) | 2 (17) | 2 (18) | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 (27) | 1 (43) | 4 |
| Coaches | 5 (7) | 3 (3) | 2 (2) | 2 (6) | 2 (4) | 2 (6) | 2 (8) | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 (25) | 1 (49) | 4 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Not released |

## Game summaries
### Kent State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Kent State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 5 Clemson | 21 | 7 | 21 | 7 | 56 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: September 2, 2017
* Game time: 12:03 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: WSW 10 mph (16 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
* Referee: David Epperley
* TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins (Play-by-Play), Anthony Becht (Color), Rocky Boiman (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
13:42 CLEM TD – C.J. Fuller 26 yard run, (Greg Huegel PAT)
10:37 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 61 yard pass to Deon Cain, (Huegel PAT)
03:18 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 3 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
Second quarter
12:14 KENT FG – Shane Hynes 37 yard field goal
01:13 CLEM TD – Bryant 8 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
Third quarter
10:44 CLEM TD – C.J. Fuller 2 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
07:35 CLEM TD – Tavien Feaster 47 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
00:33 CLEM TD – Zerrick Cooper 14 yard pass to Cornell Powell, (Huegel PAT)
Fourth quarter
11:01 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 4 yard run, (Alex Spence PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 16–22, 236 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
KENT – Nick Holley; 1–4, 1 yd
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 8 carries, 81 yds, 1 TD
KENT – Nick Holley; 10 carries, 53 yds
Top Receiving
CLEM – Deon Cain; 2 catches, 70 yds, 1 TD
KENT – Justin Rankin; 1 catch, 1 yd :

### Auburn

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 13 Auburn | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 3 Clemson | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: September 9, 2017
* Game time: 7:05 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: ENE 9 mph (14 km/h) • Weather: Clear
* Game attendance: 81,799
* Referee: Matt Loeffler
* TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy (Play-by-Play), Brian Griese (Color), Todd McShay (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
07:13 AUB FG – Daniel Carlson, 24 yard field goal
Second quarter
14:17 AUB FG – Carlson, 28 yard field goal
00:48 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 3 yard run, (Greg Huegel PAT)
Third quarter
11:48 CLEM TD – Bryant 27 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 19–29, 181 yards
AUB – Jarrett Stidham; 13–24, 79 yards
Top rushers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 19 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs
AUB – Kamryn Pettway; 22 carries, 75 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Hunter Renfrow; 9 catches, 62 yards
AUB – Ryan Davis; 8 catches, 32 yards :

### At Louisville

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 3 Clemson | 7 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 47 |
| No. 14 Louisville | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY
* Date: September 16, 2017
* Game time: 8:12 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: ESE 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 55,588
* Referee: Jeff Flanagan
* TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler (Play-by-Play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), Maria Taylor (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
09:45 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 8 yard run, (Greg Huegel PAT)
04:22 LOU TD – Lamar Jackson 11 yard pass to Charles Standberry, (Blanton Creque PAT)
Second quarter
06:57 CLEM FG – Huegel, 31 yard field goal
06:57 CLEM TD – Bryant 79 yard pass to Ray-Ray McCloud, (Huegel PAT)
00:28 CLEM FG – Huegel, 49 yard field goal
Third quarter
08:57 CLEM TD – Dorian O'Daniel 44 yard interception return, (Huegel PAT)
02:16 CLEM TD – Bryant 1 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
Fourth quarter
13:45 LOU TD – Jackson 36 yard pass to Jaylen Smith, (Creque PAT)
11:56 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 39 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
07:37 LOU TD – Jackson 8 yard pass to Desmond Fitzpatrick, (Creque PAT)
06:13 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 81 yard run, (Huegel PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 22–32, 316 yards, 1 TD
UL – Lamar Jackson; 21–42, 317 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 6 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
UL – Lamar Jackson; 17 carries, 88 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Ray-Ray McCloud; 7 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
UL – Jaylen Smith; 5 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD :

### Boston College

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Boston College | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 2 Clemson | 0 | 7 | 0 | 27 | 34 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: September 23, 2017
* Game time: 3:30 ET
* Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Wind: SE 8 mph (13 km/h) • Weather: Mostly Sunny
* Game attendance: 80,525
* Referee: Riley Johnson
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave LaMont (Play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (color), Kris Budden (sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
None
Second quarter
07:16 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 11 yard run, (Alex Spence PAT)
Third quarter
03:30 BC TD – A. J. Dillon 1 yard run, (Colton Lichtenberg PAT)
Fourth quarter
11:59 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 6 yard run, (Spence PAT)
05:41 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 50 yard run, (Spence PAT)
02:50 CLEM TD – Bryant 4 yard run, (Spence PAT failed)
00:50 CLEM TD – Etienne 10 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 17–26, 140 yards
BC – Anthony Brown; 14–30, 133 yards, 1 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 9 rushes, 113 yards, 2 TD
BC – A. J. Dillon; 13 rushes, 57 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiving
CLEM – Hunter Renfrow; 6 catches, 53 yards
BC – Jeff Smith; 4 catches, 58 yards :

### At Virginia Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Clemson | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| No. 12 Virginia Tech | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
at Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA
* Date: September 30, 2017
* Game time: 8:21 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: ENE 10 mph (16 km/h) • Weather: Clear
* Game attendance: 65,632
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color), Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
09:54 CLEM FG – Alex Spence, 23 yard field goal
06:48 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 60 yard pass to Tavien Feaster, (Spence PAT)
Second quarter
03:10 VT FG – Joey Slye 43, yard field goal
01:19 CLEM TD – C. J. Fuller 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Third quarter
07:12 CLEM TD – Feaster 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
14:00 VT TD – Sean Savoy 2 yard run, (Slye PAT)
11:08 CLEM TD – Dorian O'Daniel 22 yard interception return, (Spence PAT)
01:32 VT TD – Josh Jackson 30 yard pass to Savoy, (Slye PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 12–21, 186 yards, 1 TD
VT – Josh Jackson; 29–44, 251 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 19 carries, 94 yards
VT – Coleman Fox; 5 carries, 39 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Tavien Feaster; 2 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD
VT – Cam Phillips; 7 receptions, 74 yards :

### Wake Forest

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wake Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| No. 2 Clemson | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: October 7, 2017
* Game time: Noon
* Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: E 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 80,567
* Referee: Stuart Mullins
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (Play-by-Play), Anthony Becht (Color), Rocky Boiman (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
12:59 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 28 yard pass to Deon Cain, (Alex Spence PAT)
06:18 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 4 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Second quarter
None
Third quarter
07:31 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
11:48 CLEM TD – Hunter Johnson 13 yard pass to Cannon Smith, (Spence PAT)
08:32 WAKE TD – Kendall Hinton 16 yard pass to Scotty Washington, (Mike Weaver PAT)
02:28 WAKE TD – Hinton 11 yard pass to Cam Serigne, (Weaver PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 21–29, 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
WAKE – Kendall Hinton; 14–30, 203 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 15 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
WAKE – Kendall Hinton; 24 carries, 92 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Hunter Renfrow; 6 catches, 61 yards
WAKE – Greg Dortch; 5 catches, 78 yards :

### At Syracuse

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Clemson | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Syracuse | 14 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
at Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY
* Date: October 13, 2017
* Game time: 7:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: N/A (Indoors) • Wind: N/A (Indoors) • Weather: N/A (Indoors)
* Game attendance: 42,475
* Referee: Jerry Magallanes
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave LaMont (play-by-play), Mack Brown (color), Jen Lada (sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
11:44 CUSE TD – Eric Dungey 23 yard pass to Dontae Strickland (Cole Murphy PAT)
10:37 CLEM TD – Tavien Fester 37 yard run (Alex Spence PAT)
5:13 CUSE TD – Dungey 66 yard pass to Ervin Phillips (Murphy PAT)
Second quarter
8:31 CLEM TD – Tanner Muse 63 yard fumble return (Spence PAT)
3:49 CUSE FG – Cole Murphy 21 yard field goal
Third quarter
8:27 CLEM FG – Alex Spence 30 yard field goal
7:12 CUSE TD – Dungey 30 yard pass to Steve Ishmael (Murphy PAT)
6:16 CLEM TD – Travis Etinne 52 yard run (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
9:41 CUSE FG – Cole Murphy 30 yard field goal
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 12–17, 116 yards, 0 TD
CUSE – Eric Dungey; 20–32, 278 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etinne; 5 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
CUSE – Donate Strickland; 19 carries, 78 yards, 0 TD
Top Receiving
CLEM – Hunter Renfrow; 5 catches, 64 yards
CUSE – Ervin Phillips; 4 catches, 94 yards :

### Georgia Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| No. 7 Clemson | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: October 28, 2017
* Game time: 8:12 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: NNW 6 mph (9.7 km/h) • Weather: Rain
* Game attendance: 80,346
* Referee: Jeff Maconaghy
* TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Chris Fowler (Play-by-Play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), Maria Taylor (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
12:51 CLEM TD: Kelly Bryant 38 yard pass to Deon Cain, (Alex Spence PAT)
04:53 GT FG: Brenton King 25 yard field goal
01:56 CLEM TD: Bryant 20 yard pass to Milan Richard, (Spence PAT)
Second quarter
03:26 CLEM TD: Travis Etienne 2 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Third quarter
10:32 CLEM FG: Spence 29 yard field goal
Fourth quarter
04:43 GT TD: TaQuon Marshall 22 yard run, (King PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 22–33, 207 yards, 2 TD
GT – TaQuon Marshall; 3–13, 32 yards
Top rushers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 12 carries, 67 yards
GT – KirVonte Benson; 16 carries, 129 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Deon Cain; 4 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD
GT – Ricky Jeune; 2 receptions, 17 yards :

### At North Carolina State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Clemson | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| No 20. North Carolina State | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
* Date: November 4, 2017
* Game time: 3:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: S 7 mph (11 km/h) • Weather: Overcast
* Game attendance: 57,600
* Referee: Riley Johnson
* TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-Play), Todd Blackledge (Color), Holly Rowe (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
13:09 NCST TD – Ryan Finley 40 yard pass to Kelvin Harmon, (Carson Wise PAT)
08:59 CLEM TD – Ray-Ray McCloud 77 yard punt return, (Alex Spence PAT)
02:25 NCST TD – Jaylen Samuels 1 yard run, (Wise PAT)
Second quarter
14:04 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 10 yard run, (Spence PAT)
09:29 NCST TD – Finley 7 yard pass to Samuels, (Wise PAT)
05:15 CLEM FG – Spence 26 yard field goal
Third quarter
03:31 CLEM TD – Bryant 12 yard pass to Deon Cain, (Spence PAT)
00:00 CLEM TD – Tavien Feaster 89 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
12:23 NCST TD – Finley 15 yard pass to Jakobi Meyers (Kyle Bambard PAT)
06:31 CLEM TD – Bryant 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
01:51 NCST FG – Bambard 22 yard field goal
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 20–38, 191 yards, 1 TD
NCST – Ryan Finley; 31–50, 338 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Tavien Feaster; 7 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
NCST – Reggie Gallaspy; 6 carries, 46 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Deon Cain; 9 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD
NCST – Kelvin Harmon; 8 receptions, 155 yards, 1 TD :

### Florida State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Florida State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| No. 4 Clemson | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: November 11, 2017
* Game time: 3:36 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind: ENE 10 mph (16 km/h) • Weather: Mostly Sunny
* Game attendance: 81,436
* Referee: Jeff Flanagan
* TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy (Play-by-Play), Brian Griese (Color), Todd McShay (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
02:51 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 2 yard run, (Alex Spence PAT)
Second quarter
06:34 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 28 yard run, (Spence PAT)
01:39 CLEM FG – Spence 26 yard field goal
Third quarter
01:13 FSU TD – Jacques Patrick 3 yard run, (Ricky Aguayo PAT)
Fourth quarter
08:53 FSU TD – James Blackman 60 yard pass to Ryan Izzo, (Aguayo PAT)
03:05 CLEM TD – Etienne 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
00:35 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 10 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 20–30, 151 yards
FSU – James Blackman; 13–32, 208 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 14 carries, 98 yards, 2 TD
FSU – Cam Akers; 12 carries, 40 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Hunter Renfrow; 4 receptions, 35 yards
FSU – Nyqwan Murray; 4 receptions, 73 yards :

### The Citadel

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| The Citadel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| No. 4 Clemson | 21 | 17 | 20 | 3 | 61 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: November 18, 2017
* Game time: 12:20 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: SSW 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy
* Game attendance: 80,618
* Referee: Stuart Mullins
* TV announcers (ACCN): Tom Werme (Play-by-Play), David Archer (Color), D. J. Shockley (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
08:13 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 53 yard pass to Deon Cain, (Alex Spence PAT)
05:38 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 6 yard run, (Spence PAT)
00:51 CLEM TD – Bryant 12 yard pass to Hunter Renfrow, (Spence PAT)
Second quarter
11:59 CLEM TD – Bryant 13 yard pass to T. J. Chase, (Spence PAT)
06:32 CLEM FG – Spence 26 yard field goal
00:05 CLEM TD – Zerrick Cooper 32 yard pass to Tee Higgins, (Christian Groomes PAT)
Third quarter
14:38 CLEM TD – Tavien Feaster 61 yard run, (Groomes PAT)
09:11 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 7 yard run, (Groomes PAT)
03:50 CLEM TD – Hunter Johnson 78 yard pass to Higgins, (Drew Costa failed PAT)
Fourth quarter
06:09 CLEM FG – Groomes 38 yard field goal
02:50 CIT FG – Jacob Godek 30 yard field goal
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 17–22, 230 yards, 3 TD
CIT – Jordan Black; 1–4, 61 yards
Top rushers
CLEM – Tavien Feaster; 4 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
CIT – Grant Drakeford; 7 carries, 46 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Tee Higgins; 6 receptions, 178 yards, 2 TD
CIT – Raliegh Webb; 1 reception, 61 yards :

### At South Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Clemson | 7 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
| South Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: November 25, 2017
* Game time: 7:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) • Wind: WSW 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 82,908
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-Play), Todd Blackledge (Color), Holly Rowe (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
06:50 CLEM TD – Ryan Carter 12 yard interception return, (Alex Spence PAT)
Second quarter
08:12 CLEM TD – Tavien Feaster 1 yard run, (Spence PAT)
01:58 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 4 yard pass to Hunter Renfrow, (Spence PAT)
Third quarter
14:39 CLEM TD – Bryant 61 yard pass to H. Renfrow, (Spence PAT)
02:47 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 5 yard run, (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
13:21 USC FG – Parker White 40 yard field goal
02:45 USC TD – Jake Bentley 38 yard pass to Bryan Edwards, (White PAT)
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 23–24, 272 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
USC – Jake Bentley; 16–29, 126 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 9 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
USC – Ty'Son Williams; 13 carries, 53 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Tee Higgins; 3 catches, 84 yards
USC – Bryan Edwards; 6 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD :

### vs Miami (FL) – ACC Championship Game

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 1 Clemson | 14 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 38 |
| No. 7 Miami (FL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC
* Date: December 2, 2017
* Game time: 8:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 53 °F (12 °C) • Wind: NE 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy
* Game attendance: 74,372
* Referee: Jeff Flanagan
* TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler (Play-by-Play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), Maria Taylor (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
10:36 CLEM TD – Travis Etienne 4-yard run (Alex Spence PAT)
03:02 CLEM TD – Kelly Bryant 11-yard run (Spence PAT)
Second quarter
12:49 CLEM TD – Adam Choice 1-yard run (Spence PAT)
Third quarter
10:14 CLEM FG – Spence 46-yard field goal
03:17 CLEM TD – Tavien Feaster 11-yard run (Spence PAT)
01:01 CLEM TD – Bryant 27-yard pass to Deon Cain (Spence PAT)
Fourth quarter
03:29 MIA FG – Michael Badgley 22-yard field goal
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 23–29, 252 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
MIA – Malik Rosier; 14–29, 110 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 6 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
MIA – DeeJay Dallas; 6 44 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Ray-Ray McCloud; 6 catches, 100 yards
MIA – Braxton Berrios; 7 catches, 51 yards :

## CFP Playoff
### Alabama – Sugar Bowl

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Alabama | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| No. 1 Clemson | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA
* Date: January 1, 2018
* Game time: 9:01 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: N/A – indoors • Weather: N/A – indoors
* Game attendance: 72,360
* Referee: Land Clark
* TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore, (Play-By-Play) Todd Blackledge (Color), Holly Rowe (Sideline) and Laura Rutledge (Sideline)
* Sources:
Game information :
First quarter
05:32 ALA FG – Andy Pappanastos 24 Yd Field Goal
00:12 ALA TD – Jalen Hurts 12-yard pass to Calvin Ridley, (Pappanastos PAT)
Second quarter
10:00 CLEM FG – Alex Spence 44 yard Field Goal
Third quarter
12:45 CLEM FG – Spence 42 yard Field Goal
5:40 ALA TD – Hurts 1-yard pass to Daron Payne, (Pappanastos PAT)
5:27 ALA TD – Mack Wilson 18-yard interception return, (Pappanastos PAT)
Fourth quarter
none
Top passers
CLEM – Kelly Bryant; 18–36, 124 yards, 2 INT
ALA – Jalen Hurts; 16–24, 120 yards, 2 TDs
Top rushers
CLEM – Travis Etienne; 4 carries, 22 yards
ALA – Damien Harris; 19 carries, 77 yards
Top Receiving
CLEM – Deon Cain; 6 receptions, 75 yards
ALA – Calvin Ridley; 4 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD :

## Personnel
### Coaching staff

Head coach Dabo Swinney added one new addition to the Tigers' coaching staff in January 2017, Todd Bates who was the defensive line coach at Jacksonville State University was hired after losing Dan Brooks to retirement and Marion Hobby signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mickey Conn was promoted from defensive analyst to co-defensive back coach.
| Name | Position | CU Years | Alma mater |
| Dabo Swinney | Head Coach | 15th | Alabama (1993) |
| Danny Pearman | Assistant Head Coach / special teams coordinator / tight ends coach | 10th | Clemson (1987) |
| Brent Venables | Defensive Coordinator / linebackers coach | 6th | Kansas State (1992) |
| Todd Bates | Defensive Line Coach | 1st | Alabama (2004) |
| Jeff Scott | Co-offensive Coordinator / wide receivers coach | 10th | Clemson (2003) |
| Tony Elliott | Co-offensive Coordinator / running backs Coach | 7th | Clemson (2002) |
| Robbie Caldwell | Offensive Linemen Coach | 7th | Furman (1977) |
| Mike Reed | Defensive backs coach | 5th | Boston College (1994) |
| Brandon Streeter | Recruiting coordinator / quarterbacks Coach | 4th | Clemson (1999) |
| Joey Batson | Director of strength and conditioning | 21st | Newberry College (1981) |
| Mickey Conn | Co-defensive backs coach | 2nd | Alabama (1995) |
| Kyle Richardson | Offensive Analyst | 2nd | Appalachian State (2001) |
| Zac Alley | Graduate assistant | 7th | Clemson (2014) |

### Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2017) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Hunter Johnson QB-DT | Brownsburg, Indiana | Brownsburg HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | Dec 14, 2015 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Amari Rodgers WR | Knoxville, Tennessee | Knoxville Catholic HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 221 lb (100 kg) | Feb 14, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tee Higgins WR | Oak Ridge, Tennessee | Oak Ridge HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | Jul 4, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Noah DeHond OT | Hightstown, New Jersey | The Peddle School | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | Aug 7, 2015 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Matt Bockhorst OG | Cincinnati, Ohio | St.Xavier HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 297 lb (135 kg) | Jan 30, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jordan Williams DE | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Frank W. Cox HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Aug 6, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Justin Foster DE | Shelby, North Carolina | Crest HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Oct 10, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Logan Rudolph LB | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Northwestern HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 228 lb (103 kg) | May 6, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Baylon Spector S | Calhoun, Georgia | Calhoun HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Aug 15, 2015 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Chase Brice QB-PP | Loganville, Georgia | Grayson HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | Dec 16, 2015 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Travis Etienne RB | Jennings, Louisiana | Jennings HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jan 26, 2017 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| LeAnthony Williams Jr. CB | Roswell, Georgia | Roswell HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Feb 22, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| A. J. Terrell CB | Atlanta, Georgia | Westlake HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Aug 19, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Blake Vinson OT | Citra, Florida | North Marion HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Jan 31, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Will Swinney WR | Central, South Carolina | D W Daniel HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | January 12, 2017 – Walk-On |
| Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 26 Rivals: 22 247Sports: 13 ESPN: 8 |||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Clemson Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017. "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017. |||||||

### Transfers

Clemson lost six players due to transfer, running back Tyshon Dye, Offensive linemen Jake Fruhmorgen, cornerback Adrian Baker, defensive tackle Scott Pagano, Safety Korrin Wiggins and Defensive end LaSamuel Davis all announced they would transfer from the program.
| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to |
| Jake Fruhmorgen | 63 | OL | 6'5" | 290 | Junior | Tampa, Florida | Florida |
| Tyshon Dye | 22 | RB | 5'11" | 220 | Senior | Elberton, Georgia | East Carolina |
| Adrian Baker | 21 | CB | 5'11" | 180 | Senior | Hallandale, Florida | Oklahoma State |
| Scott Pagano | 56 | DT | 6'3" | 295 | Senior | Honolulu, Hawaii | Oregon |
| Korrin Wiggins | 15 | S | 6'0" | 200 | Senior | Durham, North Carolina | East Carolina |
| LaSamuel Davis | 7 | DE | 6'4" | 205 | Freshman | Bamberg, South Carolina | SC State |

## Awards and honors
### Individual awards

* Broyles Award – Tony Elliot

### All Americans

* Clelin Ferrell – AP 1st team, FWAA 2nd team
* Mitch Hyatt – AP 2nd team, FWAA 2nd team, Walter Camp 2nd team
* Christian Wilkins – AP 2nd team, Walter Camp 2nd team
* Dorian O'Daniel – AP 2nd team
* Tyrone Crowder – AP 3rd team
* Austin Bryant – AP 3rd team, FWAA 1st team, Walter Camp 2nd team

### All-ACC Teams

1st Team
Mitch Hyatt, Tackle Justin Falcinelli, Center Tyrone Crowder, Guard Clelin Ferrell, Defensive End Christian Wilkins, Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Defensive tackle
2nd Team
Austin Bryant, Defensive End Dorian O'Daniel, Linebacker
3rd Team
Travis Etienne, Running Back Hunter Renfrow, Wide Receiver Deon Cain, Wide Receiver Taylor Hearn, Guard Kendall Joseph, Linebacker

## 2018 NFL Draft

| Player | Team | Round | Pick # | Position |
| Dorian O'Daniel | Kansas City Chiefs | 3rd | 100 | LB |
| Deon Cain | Indianapolis Colts | 6th | 185 | WR |
| Ray-Ray McCloud | Buffalo Bills | 6th | 187 | WR |

### Undrafted free agents

| Player | Team | Position |
| Ryan Carter | Buffalo Bills | CB |
| Marcus Edmund | Los Angeles Chargers | CB |
| Van Smith | Atlanta Falcons | Safety |
| Taylor Hearn | Carolina Panthers | Offensive line |