2019 Fiesta Bowl (December)


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 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 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 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