James Skalski
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields gets hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Skalski was ejected from the game for targeting. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ohio State coach Day expects QB Fields to play vs Alabama

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 04, 2021 03:54 PM EST

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Fields' day: No. 3 Ohio State routs No. 2 Clemson 49-28

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 02, 2021 12:11 AM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields gets hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Skalski was ejected from the game for targeting. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Clemson linebacker Skalski ejected for hit on Fields

Jan. 01, 2021 09:54 PM EST

Clemson warms up before the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ohio State at Clemson 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 06:47 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (8) runs for the end zone to score past Northwestern defensive back Cameron Mitchell (21) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame's blowout loss brings A&M into playoff picture

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2020 08:22 PM EST

Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry celebrates after sacking Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Lawrence, No. 4 Clemson rout No. 2 Notre Dame for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 19, 2020 07:40 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is pressured by Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry (5) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Clemson at Notre Dame 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) fends off Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
With Lawrence back Clemson-Notre Dame meet for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson full strength heading into ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 14, 2020 03:30 PM EST

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson get extra time to prep for title game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 08, 2020 02:53 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)c
Healthy, deeper No. 4 Clemson ready for championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2020 05:13 PM EST

Clemson sideline personnel hold play signal cards during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson's Brent Venables says defense is good, not great

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 19, 2020 10:54 AM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney signals to his players during the second quarter against Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Clemson still has path to national title, ACC crown

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 09, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) celebrates after a touchdown against Clemson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Notre Dame sacks No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in double OT

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2020 12:00 AM EST

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, center right, talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Problem for No. 1 Clemson is defensive breakdowns, not QB

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 03, 2020 02:13 PM EST

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Josh Morgan/Pool Photo via AP)
QB Uiagalelei rallies No. 1 Clemson to 34-28 win over BC

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 31, 2020 04:04 PM EDT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney fist bumps defensive tackle Jordan Williams (59) after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 1 Clemson dealing with rash of injuries on defense vs BC

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 29, 2020 11:35 AM EDT

Clemson linebacker James Skalski sidelined with groin injury

Oct. 27, 2020 12:05 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Coach Dabo Swinney said one of Clemson's leading defensive players, linebacker James Skalski, will miss several games with a groin injury....