Alexandra O'Dell
The Tigers link arms with each other and head coach Swinney moments before heading into the second half against UNC.
The Clemson Tigers steamrolled the North Carolina Tar Heels 38-10 on Saturday at Kenan Stadium to improve to 2-3, 1-2 ACC, on the season. The field trip to Chapel Hill yielded a rejuvenated offense, a stubborn defense and a glimpse of what could have been.
It was a day to remember for quarterback Cade Klubnik. Through Clemson’s uncharacteristic 1-3 start to the season, Klubnik seemed rattled: bailing from the pocket, missing reads and battling nerves. But against UNC, the pressure was not a factor. Klubnik stuffed the stat sheet with five passing touchdowns and 254 yards through the air with a 92% completion rate.
The day began with a 75-yard touchdown by T.J. Moore on the first offensive play of the game as Antonio Williams showed off his arm in a double pass. The Tar Heels responded with a 10-play, 58-yard drive that resulted in a field goal.
After a gritty first drive, UNC hit an orange and purple wall. The Tigers’ defense forced four straight three-and-outs after UNC’s opening drive score.
Meanwhile, the Clemson offense capitalized, scoring a touchdown on its first four drives. On Clemson’s second drive, Adam Randall tiptoed 35 yards down the sideline to double Clemson’s score. The following drive, Klubnik found Christian Bentancur on a 45-yard catch-and-run for his first career touchdown. The barrage continued as Randall grabbed his second receiving touchdown on the ensuing drive, extending Clemson’s lead to 28-3 and effectively putting the Tar Heels away.
In an afternoon best defined by “spreading the love,” Klubnik completed 22-of-24 passes on a day where 13 different receivers recorded a catch. With 108 yards on five catches, Moore led all Clemson receivers in yards. Bentancur and Randall each tallied two touchdowns.
Though Clemson excelled through the air, the rushing attack was underwhelming. Across 31 total rushing attempts, the Tigers earned only 89 yards on the ground — a measly 2.9 yards per carry.
Luckily, a united Clemson defensive line meant that UNC’s run game was ineffective as well. Linebacker Sammy Brown made his presence known with five total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Defensive tackle Stephiylan Green notched the lone sack on UNC quarterback Max Johnson.
The Tigers took their foot off the gas in the second half. After Nolan Hauser added 3 points with a field goal, backup quarterbacks Christopher Vizzina and Trent Pearman took a handful of snaps to close the game out.
An 11-yard rush from Benjamin Hall in the fourth quarter was UNC’s only touchdown of the day.
As far as playoff implications go, Clemson’s impressive outing in Chapel Hill may be a case of “too little, too late.” The performance gave fans what they had been searching for: hope. But sometimes, it’s the hope that kills you.
Nonetheless, a hopeful Clemson team will return to action next week for a fall break matchup at Boston College under the lights.