The Clemson Tigers lost a close game to South Carolina 17-14 at Memorial Stadium. Here are some key takeaways from the game:
Paws up: Pass yards
Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC) did not rely on the run game as much as it has been in recent games.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik started using his arm early in the game. He began Clemson’s second drive with a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. He also found fellow receivers Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore with chunk plays throughout the contest.
Klubnik had a completion percentage of 66.7% and threw for 280 yards.
Paws down: Missed tackles
While the defense had six tackles for loss, some crucial missed tackles allowed South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC) to walk away with the win; the Gamecocks’ first touchdown was a 25-yard run by quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
On South Carolina’s game-winning drive, Sellers would, again, make Tigers miss and scampered into the end zone on a 20-yard scramble.
Head coach Dabo Swinney credited Sellers while discussing his defense.
“We had three sacks; probably should’ve had six,” Swinney said. “He escaped, and we saw that on tape.”
Paws up: Forced turnovers
The Clemson defense came up with multiple forced turnovers, allowing the Tigers to stay in the game. Defensive end T.J. Parker ended South Carolina’s opening drive early with a strip sack that led to a Clemson recovery.
Parker also had eight tackles, with two being for loss.
Safety Khalil Barnes intercepted the Gamecocks at a crucial moment in the red zone, giving Clemson another opportunity to go down the field.
His celebration was quite a unique one, as he ran to the fans in the Clemson student section to celebrate the vital turnover at that point in the game.
“It was cool,” Barnes said. “The fans made a huge impact today, so can’t ask nothing more of them. Sorry we couldn’t get the job done for them.”
Paws down: Capitalizing on offensive possessions
Clemson may have dominated the passing game but came up short multiple times when it had the chance to pull away from South Carolina.
Klubnik ran in both touchdowns and, on the game’s final play, turned over the ball well within field goal range. That play may have called the game, but there were multiple times Clemson marched down the field and could not capitalize on those plays.
A fumble occurred right outside the red zone from Phil Mafah, landing in favor of South Carolina when it appeared Clemson was close to scoring.
Swinney said it came down to many “missed opportunities,” which reflected how the game ultimately went.
The Tigers will look to take advantage of their final opportunity of a College Football Playoff spot, facing SMU in the ACC Championship game this Saturday.
