After a slower start in the first half, Clemson continued their explosive ways in the second half to roll past Stanford. The passing game especially looked great in the second half as it helped the Tigers to stretch their lead. The defense getting multiple takeaways also helped keep the win streak going as Clemson has outscored its opponents 165-69 in the last three games. The Tigers keep riding their momentum through two straight conference wins before heading to Tallahassee.
Offense Still Explosive
While the first half was much less explosive than the past two games, the offense still moved the ball well. The Tiger’s offense generated 227 total yards and 17 points in the first half. A big part of this slower start to the game can be attributed to the Stanford run defense. Clemson could not get a consistent running game going all night long. The Tigers were held to just 150 yards rushing on the night. Phil Mafah only rushed for 58 yards on his 10 carries. It was known the Cardinal run defense could give the Tigers fits as they were third in the FBS in rush defense coming into the game.
This meant it was up to Cade Klubnik and the passing game to create opportunities for the Clemson offense. The first half was a bit shakey for Klubnik as he completed just 50% of his passes and threw an interception to go along with his one passing and one rushing touchdown. In the second half, Klubnik regained his rhythm and delivered for the Tigers. Klubnik threw three touchdowns in the second half finishing with four passing touchdowns on the day. Each of those touchdown passes went to a different Tiger receiver. Bryant Wesco Jr, Olsen Patt-Henry, Cole Turner, and Jake Briningstool all caught a touchdown pass.
Next, this offense will go on the road for the first time this season. The next step to proving this unit is legit once again is being just as good on the road as they have been at home. The same explosiveness shown in the last three weeks needs to travel with the Tigers. Klubnik must stay confident in order to keep the offense hot in a hostile Doak Campbell Stadium.
Defense Shows Out
The Tiger’s defense lived by the motto “bend don’t break” in the first half, allowing Stanford to drive deep into Clemson territory. When those long drives end in interceptions, defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin might be more okay with it. The Tigers picked off Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels three times. Twice in the first half and once more in the second. Avieon Terrell and Jeadyn Lukus got the first-half interceptions. Wade Woodaz got the interception in the second half to go along with his 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Clemson was able to score 10 points off of these turnovers.
In the second half, the defense did a better job anchoring down only allowing 130 total yards the whole half. Much of this was because the Tigers played much better run defense. In the first half, Stanford running back Micah Ford ran for 103 yards. In the second half, Ford was held to just 19 yards rushing. Daniels also was contained much better in the second half rushing for over 50 yards in the first half, and just 33 yards in the second.
Barrett Carter had his best game this season so far. He filled the stat sheet with 10 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. He showed why many consider him one of the best defensive players in college football. The defense as a unit has still yet to have a thoroughly dominant game, beginning to end. Star defensive lineman Peter Woods was still out with his injury from the Appalachian State game. When he gets back it should help the defense reach that next level many expected this unit to be at. If the defense can start to dominate full games, it will put this Clemson team back in playoff conversations.
Final Takeaways
This Clemson team looks like it has found its identity early on this season. This is important as many of the early season woes in 2023 came as a consequence of the Tigers not knowing who they were to start that season. In 2024 just four games into the season, Dabo Swinney’s team knows exactly who they are and what they need to do to win games. This looks like an effect of Klubnik’s personal confidence growing since last season.
All offseason we heard how Klubnik’s growth as a leader was the main reason so many in the program believed in not just him, but this team as a whole. They knew early on that Klubnik’s success would lead directly to this team’s overall success. With Klubnik finally looking settled into being a college quarterback the offense is finally clicking, and the defense doesn’t have to win the game for Clemson. It has everyone playing with more conviction in what they can do as individuals as well as how far this team’s success can go. The next test is now seeing if this Clemson squad can play the same way on the road.
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