Notre Dame left no doubt.

The Irish defeated Clemson 35-14 on Saturday night in South Bend, ending the Tigers’ bid for an undefeated season. Clemson entered this game with an 8-0 record and No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Here are three takeaways from Notre Dame’s win:

Defense and special teams

As it has for most of this season, Notre Dame’s offense struggled a bit on Saturday night. However, Notre Dame’s offensive inefficiencies never mattered for this game due to how dominant the Irish were in other phases.

Notre Dame scored touchdowns on defense and on special teams. Its first score of the game was from a punt block return touchdown.

Later, to put the Irish up 28-0 in the fourth quarter, freshman cornerback Ben Morrison picked off his second pass of the day and took it into the end zone.

Clemson’s offense managed just 3.3 yards per play through the first three quarters.

Notre Dame’s offense is consistent

So far this season, Notre Dame’s offense was made up of two major facets: the running game and tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer’s targets and Notre Dame’s rushing attempts made up for nearly 75% of all offensive plays entering tonight’s game.

That stayed true against the Tigers, but Clemson couldn’t do anything about it. Audric Estime and Logan Diggs carried the ball 17 times apiece and both averaged more than 5.5 yards per rush. They racked up 210 total yards. Mayer caught four of his five targets for 44 yards and one touchdown.

That was all the offense Notre Dame needed in order to outlast the Tigers.

Signature win

Notre Dame isn’t involved in the College Football Playoff picture this year, but the Irish still had plenty to play for. Now at 6-3, Notre Dame seems to be peaking under Marcus Freeman in his first year as head coach.

This now becomes the signature win for Notre Dame under Freeman. It’s the Irish’s third ranked win of the year, but the first in the top five and the first at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame previously beat No. 16 BYU in Vegas and No. 16 Syracuse on the road.

Notre Dame will look to win its fourth straight game next weekend at Navy.