CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney learned plenty about his 12th-ranked Tigers on Saturday night, qualities he believes make them hard to beat. Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes, ran for a third score and 12th-ranked Clemson withstood No. 6 Notre Dame's second-half rally for a 24-22 victory. "This is what it's all about," Swinney said. "It ain't always perfect. I told them, `Listen, we give you scholarships, we give you stipends and meals, we give you nice uniforms and a place to live. I can't give you guts. I can't give you heart.' ... Tonight it was BYOG, bring your own guts. They brought some guts and some heart and they never quit until the last play." EDITOR'S PICKS Clemson makes its case to be part of the playoff discussion The Tigers held off the Irish 24-22 for a win that looks even better during a week of instability among top-10 teams. Clemson rides defense to knock off Notre Dame, give ACC marquee win With star QB Deshaun Watson unable to generate offense, Clemson's defense held Notre Dame's fierce rushing attack to 3.5 yards per carry. It took until almost the final play to secure the win, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins stopping Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer on what would've been a tying 2-point conversion with 7 seconds left. "It's was man versus man, heart versus heart. And he got there. I didn't lower my shoulder the way I should," said Kizer, who threw two touchdowns passes and had a scoring run in Notre Dame's second-half rally. The Irish (4-1) had four turnovers, all in the second half. Linebacker B.J. Goodson had an interception and a fumble recovery to choke off two Notre Dame chances in the last 7 minutes. Still, the Irish were a play away from overtime -- and keeping alive their undefeated season. "They say the luck of the Irish," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "We had some luck, too." Like kicker Ammon Lakip getting a helmet on the ball on the second-half kickoff, forcing C.