Despite a mistake-filled first half, Clemson dominated Charleston Southern in a 66-17 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
In what was ultimately a rout, the game began with multiple critical mistakes from Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. The sophomore signal-caller had turnovers on back-to-back drives in the first quarter. The first was a lost fumble on a bobbled snap, and the second was a 67-yard pick-six. Both turnovers resulted in 14 first-quarter points for Charleston Southern.
But after entering the locker room leading 24-17 at halftime, Klubnik and the Tigers went on to score 42 unanswered points in the second half to come away with the 49-point victory.
“Hopefully, this will grow these guys’ confidence a little bit,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s certainly going to get tougher as we go, but this is what we needed tonight.”
Klubnik completed 28 of 37 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Klubnik’s favorite target of the day was junior wide receiver Beaux Collins, who scored a 69-yard touchdown in the third quarter and finished with 137 receiving yards on a career-high seven receptions.
Clemson running back Phil Mafah, wide receiver Antonio Williams and running back Jay Haynes all brought in two touchdowns each, as well.
“I really love our running back room,” Swinney said. “We’re really confident in our young backs.”
Overall, Clemson’s offense had 36 first downs and 679 total yards.
Swinney also touched on the amount of players who saw the field, noting how each player contributed to the game, complimenting the team’s “really talented roster.” Of the 138 total players, 117 saw time on the field against the Buccaneers.
After struggling at times against Duke, Clemson’s defense shut down Charleston Southern for most of the day, holding the Buccanneers to just four first downs and 74 total yards.
Following last week’s fumble recovery, Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz recorded his second takeaway of the season, this time on a 35-yard pick-six with 10:39 left in the third quarter. As a whole, the defense put up two sacks and 29 solo tackles, four of which came from true freshman defensive lineman T.J. Parker.
“How about that D-line, oh my lord,” Woodaz said after the game. “It was like running into a brick wall every play.”
Swinney felt the same, saying the “complimentary” defense is what Clemson is all about and, inevitably, how the team will continue to win games.
“You just have to put some life in that defense, and you saw that. All of a sudden, they are just feeding each other, complimenting each other and it’s fun to watch when it works out that way,” Swinney said.
As for placekicker Robert Gunn III, he set out to have a rebound performance after getting both of his field goal attempts at Duke blocked. The redshirt freshman made his first field goal attempt of the season at 23 yards in the second quarter to close out the half 24-17. He went 7-for-7 on extra-point kicks for the game.
Saturday’s matchup also marked Swinney’s 100th game coaching the Clemson program.
Clemson will host Florida Atlantic next Saturday at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
