ARLINGTON, Texas -- Whether the College Football Playoff gets Alabama-Clemson IV remains to be seen for at least a few more hours, but the CFP National Championship on Jan. 7 will definitely feature the Tigers. No. 2 Clemson relied on its air attack behind a pair of true freshman sensations -- quarterback Trevor Lawrence and receiver Justyn Ross -- to boat race No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3 to advance to the national title game.
Lawrence had one of his stronger passing performances of his young career with 327 yards and three touchdowns, validating once again (as if there was any doubt before) that coach Dabo Swinney made the correct choice in going with Lawrence over Kelly Bryant early in the season. Lawrence is the player who took the Tigers from playoff hopeful to championship contender and that is now realized as the Tigers await the winner of No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
But Lawrence had help. Ross had the a season-best six catches on eight targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in the second quarter to help Clemson begin the process of pulling away. Lawrence's third touchdown to Tee Higgins was a one-handed spectacle worthy of any highlight reel. Overall, six different players caught at least two passes as Clemson skewered what was the No. 1 pass defense in college football in yards per pass attempt allowed. Though the Fighting Irish were without star cornerback, All-American and Thorpe Award finalist Julian Love for much of the game with an undisclosed injury, Clemson's wideouts looked faster and flat-out better than what Notre Dame had in the back end.
And once behind, Notre Dame was unable to muster the offense to get back into the game. The Irish averaged just 3.6 yards per play with Clemson's vaunted defensive front forcing 3.5 of the Tigers' six sacks and pressuring quarterback Ian Book on practically every play. Notre Dame went 5-of-17 on third downs and entered the red zone just once on the day.
The three points scored on Saturday was the lowest turnout for this program under coach Brian Kelly since a 10-3 loss at NC State in 2016 in a driving monsoon. Moreover, the Irish continue to struggle on the biggest stages, having lost seven straight "New Year's Six" bowl games dating back to 1994, with the last victory being in the Cotton Bowl, of all games, over Texas A&M.
CBS Sports was with you the entire way Saturday updating this story with the latest scores, analysis and highlights from the 2018 Cotton Bowl. If you are unable to view the updates below, please click here.
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