2019 Fiesta Bowl (December)

2019 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
College Football Playoff Semifinal 49th Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State on offense
Clemson Tigers Ohio State Buckeyes (13–0) (13–0) ACC Big Ten 29 23 Head coach:  Dabo Swinney Head coach:  Ryan Day AP Coaches CFP 3 3 3 AP Coaches CFP 2 2 2
1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 0 14 7 8 29 Ohio State 10 6 0 7 23
Date	December 28, 2019
Season	2019
Stadium	State Farm Stadium
Location	Glendale, Arizona
MVP	Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson) Chad Smith (LB, Clemson)
Favorite	Clemson by 2.5[1]
National anthem	The dancing Class of lafayette academy
Referee	Ken Williamson (SEC)[2]
Halftime show	Clemson University Tiger Band Ohio State University Marching Band
Attendance	71,330
Payout	US$6,000,000[3]
United States TV coverage
Network	ESPN and ESPN Radio
Announcers	ESPN: Chris Fowler (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi (sideline) ESPN Radio: Sean Kelley, Barrett Jones,
Nielsen ratings	11.1 (21.2 million viewers)[4]
International TV coverage
Network	ESPN Deportes
Fiesta Bowl  < 2019 (Jan.) 2021 >  2 vs. 3 Seed CFP Semifinal Game  < 2018 Cotton 2021 Sugar >

The 2019 Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 28, 2019 and broadcast by ESPN. It was the 49th edition of the Fiesta Bowl, and was one of the 2019–20 bowl games concluding the 2019 FBS football season. The Fiesta Bowl was one of two College Football Playoff semifinal games, with the winner advancing to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Sponsored by Sony Interactive Entertainment via its PlayStation brand, the game was officially known as the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State raced to a 16–0 lead with 7 minutes remaining in the first half, having three long drives to the red zone that were stopped by the Clemson defense. Clemson added two quick scores, within 1:35 of each other, to pull within 2 before halftime. The teams exchanged the lead three times throughout the second half. After Clemson scored to make it 29–23, Ohio State had one last chance to take the lead. Quarterback Justin Fields led his team to the Clemson 23-yard line, but a pass meant for Chris Olave was intercepted in the endzone after a miscommunication.

With the loss, Ohio State fell to 0–4 against Clemson, which it had last played in 2016, losing 31–0 in a shutout.

College Football Playoff[]

Teams[]

This was the fourth meeting between Clemson and Ohio State. The Tigers had won each of the prior three matchups, most recently the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State Buckeyes[]

Ohio State entered the game with a 13–0 record, after defeating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. This was Ohio State's third College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal game. The Buckeyes were 1–1 in prior CFP semifinals, their most recent appearance being a loss to Clemson in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Overall, Ohio State was 2–1 in prior CFP games, including their win over Oregon in the 2015 CFP National Championship. This was Ohio State's ninth appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; the Buckeyes are 5–3 in prior Fiesta Bowl games.

Clemson Tigers[]

Clemson lining up on offense during the second half

Clemson also entered the game with a 13–0 record, coming off a win over Virginia in the ACC Championship Game. This was Clemson's fifth CFP semifinal appearance. The Tigers were 3–1 in prior CFP semifinal games, most recently defeating Notre Dame in the 2018 Cotton Bowl. Including national championship contests, this was Clemson's eighth overall CFP game; they had a 5–2 record in prior CFP games, mostly recently defeating Alabama in the 2019 CFP National Championship. This was Clemson's second appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; they defeated Ohio State in the December 2016 edition.

Game summary[]

Statistics[]

J.K. Dobbins celebrating his first quarter touchdown

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Game statistics at statbroadcast.com