Key defensive play helps No. 12 Clemson hold off No. 6 Notre Dame, 24-22

Deshaun Watson threw for two touchdowns, ran for a third and Clemson’s defense stopped DeShone Kizer on a tying two-point conversion as the 12th-ranked Tigers held on to beat No. 6 Notre Dame 24-22 on Saturday night.

Tigers linebacker B.J. Goodson had an interception and a fumble recovery to halt two fourth-quarter drives by the Fighting Irish (4-1). But the biggest stop was by defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, who brought down Kizer short of the goal line with seven seconds left.

Kizer rallied Notre Dame from 21-3 down in the second half with two touchdown passes, the last a one-yard toss to Torii Hunter Jr.

Clemson secured the Notre Dame’s onside kick and closed out the victory, moving to 4-0 for fourth time in five years.

Clemson forced four turnovers, all in the second half, to stay in front.

Watson accounted for 190 yards, 93 of those coming on the ground. He had a 21-yard touchdown run early in third quarter to put the Tigers ahead, 21-3. That’s when Notre Dame’s defense rose to give its offense a chance to come back.

Kizer had a 56-yard scoring pass to C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame’s eighth play this season of at least 50 yards. The Irish closed to 24-16 on Kizer’s three-yard run.

Clemson struck quickly in Notre Dame’s first visit to Death Valley since 1977, with Watson running for 38 yards on the game’s first play. Watson found Leggett moments later for a six-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.

Clemson kept the pressure on its next series. Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow for a 24-yard pass inside Notre Dame’s 20, before finding Scott for a 13-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

The Irish’s only points of the half came on a 46-yard field goal by Justin Yoon.

The rainstorm that saturated much of the East Coast was a focus of the week. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley told fans to stay home unless they had to attend. The stands, though, were filled with orange ponchos and raincoats as the rain fell.