Clemson vs. Ohio State live score, updates, highlights from College Football Playoff semifinal

The projected top two selections in the 2021 NFL Draft will square off in the College Football Playoff semifinals Friday at the Sugar Bowl.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a near lock to go No. 1, while Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields could be scooped up with the second overall pick.

Given the abilities of Lawrence and Fields, it’s little surprise their teams have advanced to this postseason stage. Clemson (10-1) has been dominant since a midseason defeat against Notre Dame. Ohio State (6-0) did enough in its shortened Big Ten season to convince the CFP committee to extend an invite — though Tigers coach Dabo Swinney didn’t think the Buckeyes should have been ranked in the top 10, let alone the top four.

The winner of Clemson vs. Ohio State will face Alabama in the championship.

Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Clemson vs. Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Follow for complete results from the 2021 Sugar Bowl.

MORE: Watch Clemson vs. Ohio State live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Clemson vs. Ohio State score

Clemson vs. Ohio State live updates, highlights

10:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. That’s an NFL arm. Fields goes over the top of the secondary to Olave for 56 yards, and Ohio State is back in full control. 42-21, Buckeyes.

10:41 p.m.: Sermon picks up an important first down to slow Clemson’s momentum. A three-and-out would have been costly there.

10:32 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Clemson. Powell has been Lawrence’s favorite target tonight, so it’s no surprise to see him on the scoreboard with a 10-yard catch. 35-21, Buckeyes.

10:32 p.m.: Powell runs a crisp deep out route and is rewarded with a pinpoint pass from Lawrence. Clemson is in the red zone.

10:24 p.m.: Interception. Fields tries to throw through pressure, but the ball is tipped and picked off. Clemson really needed that.

10:21 p.m.: Fields hits another deep ball! He’s putting on a show. Olave is inside the Clemson 20 with that catch.

10:19 p.m.: The second half is underway. Ohio State has the ball first.

Halftime: Ohio State 35, Clemson 14

9:54 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. This one is getting away from Clemson. With that score, Fields finishes the first half 16-of-18 passing for 223 yards and four touchdowns. He also has 50 rushing yards. 35-14, Buckeyes.

9:52 p.m.: Ohio State is inside the 20-yard line with 20 seconds left.

9:41 p.m.: Ohio State’s defense has been great in the second quarter. It forces another punt with 3:20 remaining in the half.

9:34 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. Fields still doesn’t look like he’s recovered from the hit he took, but he manages to re-enter the contest and find Olave in the end zone. 28-14, Buckeyes.

9:32 p.m.: Targeting is called for the hit on Fields. James Skalski has been ejected. Automatic first down for Ohio State.

9:31 p.m.: That play is being reviewed for targeting.

9:29 p.m.: Fields takes a hard hit to the ribs as he tries to pick up a first down on the ground. He didn’t reach the marker, either, going down two yards short.

9:24 p.m.: Sermon steamrolls through the Clemson secondary, leaving at least three defenders on the ground with his powerful frame. Those 30 rushing yards bring him to 93 for the contest.

9:22 p.m.: Ohio State’s offense looks remarkably comfortable. Fields has more touchdowns than incompletions right now.

9:20 p.m.: Etienne returns for third-and-4. He’s targeted by Lawrence, but the pass is off the target. Clemson punts again.

9:19 p.m.: Etienne starts this Clemson drive on the sideline. Might have been hurt on the kickoff.

9:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. First lead of the game for Ryan Day’s squad. Jeremy Ruckert was wide open on that scoring reception. 21-14, Buckeyes.

End of first quarter: Clemson 14, Ohio State 14

8:58 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. Luke Farrell makes a catch in traffic. Tough throw from Fields. 14-14.

8:55 p.m.: Fields unloads with his full arm strength for a 46-yard pass.

8:51 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Clemson. Etienne rushes for the go-ahead score. 14-7, Tigers.

8:49 p.m.: The screen game is working wonders for Clemson. Etienne has three catches for 53 yards in the first quarter.

8:43 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Ohio State. Trey Sermon delivers consecutive explosive plays — one through the air and one on the ground — to tie the game. 7-7.

8:43 p.m.: The Buckeyes move the chains for the first time with a completion from Fields to Chris Olave.

8:38 p.m.: Lawrence had tight end Davis Allen open behind the Ohio State secondary, but pressure in his face prevents what would have been a long completion. Clemson punts the ball back.

8:35 p.m.: Fields tries to run up the middle on third-and-2 but is met behind the line of scrimmage. Ohio State will punt.

8:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Clemson. Lawrence sprints to the edge and dives into the end zone. He set career-high in rushing against Ohio State last year. 7-0, Tigers.

8:24 p.m.: What a catch from Cornell Powell! He sets up first-and-goal for Clemson with a jump ball snag.

8:21 p.m.: Clemson picks up a quick first down from back-to-back quick hitters. Travis Etienne then passes midfield with a catch and run.

8:20 p.m.: Clemson receives the opening kickoff.

8:03 p.m.: The game will start in about 20 minutes. Until then, the pregame show is airing on ESPN.

Clemson vs. Ohio start time

• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• TV channel (national): ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN app, fuboTV

The Clemson vs. Ohio State game will begin at 8 p.m. ET. It is one of four games that will take place on the ABC family of networks that day, including the third on ESPN..

College Football Playoff schedule

Friday, Jan. 1

Monday, Jan. 11