Total Yards
Kentucky398
Clemson367
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2023)
Game Center
Clemson at Kentucky
Dec 29, 2023 • Completed • Neutral Site
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Season 2023PostseasonWeek 1
Away
Clemson
ACC
Final Score
38 - 35
CK
Home
Kentucky
SEC
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Kentucky306
Clemson264
Rushing Yards
Kentucky92
Clemson103
Turnovers
Kentucky4
Clemson1
Game Conditions
ConditionClear
Temperature55°F
Wind16 mph W
Humidity
37%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Kentucky vs Clemson box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Kentucky24:49
Clemson35:11
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Clemson edges Kentucky 38-35
Clemson defeated Kentucky 38-35 in Week 1 of the 2023 postseason slate, finishing with a 367-398 edge in total yards, and scoring 0 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing touchdowns.
Clemson set the terms early in a game that finished 38-35. Jonathan Weitz 39 yd FG GOOD came with {'seconds': 16, 'minutes': 11} left in the first quarter, giving Clemson the first major swing.
Clemson's box score carried the story: 367 total yards, 103 rushing yards, and 264 passing yards. Kentucky finished with 398 total yards, including 92 on the ground and 306 through the air.
Clemson converted 5-16 on third down, went 2-2 on fourth down, the turnover count was 1-4, Clemson led 10-14 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Barion Brown 100 Yd Kickoff Return (Alex Raynor Kick).
Key Moments
Field Goal Good
Jonathan Weitz 39 yd FG GOOD (Clemson led 3-0 over Kentucky).
Rushing Touchdown
Barion Brown run for 22 yds for a TD (Alex Raynor KICK) (Kentucky led 7-3 over Clemson).
Passing Touchdown
Devin Leary pass complete to Dane Key for 5 yds for a TD (Alex Raynor KICK) (Kentucky led 14-10 over Clemson).
Rushing Touchdown
Phil Mafah run for 1 yd for a TD (Jonathan Weitz KICK) (Clemson led 10-7 over Kentucky).
Kickoff Return Touchdown
Barion Brown 100 Yd Kickoff Return (Alex Raynor Kick) (Clemson led 10-21 over Kentucky).
Rushing Touchdown
Phil Mafah 1 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) (Clemson led 16-21 over Kentucky).
Stat Callouts
Final score
38-35
Clemson defeated Kentucky.
Total yards
367-398
Clemson held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
103
Clemson averaged 2.6 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
264
Clemson averaged 6.4 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
5-16
Clemson's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
4-11
Kentucky's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
1-4
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Kentucky | Clemson |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 398 | 367 |
| Passing Yards | 306 | 264 |
| Rushing Yards | 92 | 103 |
| First Downs | 12 | 24 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 4-11 | 5-16 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 4-45 | 6-36 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Completions / Attempts | 16-28 | 30-41 |
| Rushing Attempts | 23 | 39 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 4 |
| Kicking Points | 5 | 10 |
| Possession Time | 24:49 | 35:11 |