The No. 10 Clemson Tigers put on a show in Death Valley this afternoon, defeating the Virginia Cavaliers 48-31. The nostalgia factor of today’s matchup was off the charts, thanks to the induction of running backs coach C.J. Spiller into the Ring of Honor and the return of former offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, this time at the helm of Virginia.
Clemson has played well against conference opponents as of late, outscoring rivals in the last four weeks by more than 100 points. Although the offense was off to a slow start as the Cavaliers’ defense stifled its run game, they found their saving grace in some unorthodox air time.
“I’m pretty upset about some of my throws today, but you look back at it and it’s just mechanics. I’m not worried at all about it though, knowing my receivers,” quarterback Cade Klubnik said.
The play of the day came near halftime. The Tigers were driving downfield, already starting in prime position thanks to a 51-yard punt from Virginia. Set up on Virginia’s 37-yard line, Klubnik handed the ball off to Phil Mafah, who shoveled it to Antonio Williams, who completed a 34-yard pass to Troy Stellato. Mafah scored his second of the day on the next play.
This trick play, in addition to Williams’ 28-yard touchdown pass to Jake Briningstool against Wake Forest last week, makes him the first non-quarterback to record a pass completion in consecutive games since 2002.
The last Clemson player to do so was on the field today as well — his name is Tony Elliott.
The importance of the history between Elliot, Swinney and Clemson cannot be denied. In 2003, a young Swinney was offered the position of wide receivers coach to mentor a talented corp. Elliot was named team captain the very same year, marking the beginning of the duo’s decades-long journey together.
Elliot returned to Clemson in 2011 as the running backs coach, gradually moving his way up to offensive coordinator, then associate head coach in 2021 with two national championships under his belt. After announcing his departure for Virginia’s program in 2021, it was evident that Clemson’s offense struggled to find their footing in the aftermath.
“As far as my unit, he doesn’t know our offense,” Klubnik said about any potential wrinkles caused by Elliott’s knowledge of the program. “When Coach Riley came in he changed it all up.”
Garrett Riley’s play-calling today was electric: trick plays and trusting his quarterback to make the right choices lit a spark under his unit. With six touchdowns, 345 passing yards and 194 rushing, the Tigers looked strong even at their weak points.
Following the game, tight end Olsen Patt-Henry said, “Even when we know we’re down, we know the kind of brotherhood we have.” Patt-Henry finished with two receiving touchdowns and 51 yards.
Clemson’s defense held the Cavaliers to 68 yards on the ground and no rushing touchdowns. They posted four sacks, four pass deflections and 53 total tackles for a dominant stat line over a chippy Cavalier team.
Prior to kickoff, running backs coach C.J. Spiller was inducted into the Ring of Honor, the highest achievement bestowed upon student-athletes by the University. During his tenure with the team from 2006-2009, he racked up 43 touchdowns — 8 of which were kick returns — and still holds ACC records for both single-season and career all-purpose yards.
Several of Spiller’s current players have even said they had him on their fantasy football team growing up.
Swinney, Spiller and the Tigers have off next weekend before welcoming Louisville to Death Valley on Nov. 2.
