CLEMSON — The Gator Bowl was one of the wildest games Phil Mafah has ever been involved in.
The Clemson running back set a Clemson and Gator Bowl record of four rushing touchdowns in the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory, including the game winner with 17 seconds to play. Three of Mafah’s four touchdowns came in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like that was the craziest fourth quarter I ever played in. Just so much emotion, especially in the fourth quarter,” the rising senior said following the game. “Just had to keep fighting and didn’t know what the outcome would be at that point, but you just had to keep fighting and believing and trusting your teammates to get the job done and get the win.”
Mafah rushed for 71 yards to go along with his four scores, including a 29-yard touchdown run. He averaged 6.5 yards on 11 carries.
With Will Shipley off to the NFL, Mafah becomes the “Man” in Clemson’s running back room. The last two seasons, he has shared the mantra with Shipley and actually did not become a focal point in the offense until the Tigers’ win over then No. 12 Notre Dame in early November.