1 week Ago
PITTSBURGH — The shot Clemson linebacker Dee Crayton had delivered to Pitt quarterback Nate Yarnell's facemask had been missed by officials, nearly sparing the Tigers of their transgressions. But the referees, berated by Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi during an injury timeout, let out three words, "After further discussion." Crayton, who had been burned on a wheel route on Pitt's touchdown to tie it 17-17, was assessed a roughing the passer penalty, moving the ball down to the Tigers' 39.
Pitt, which had outgained a stalled Clemson offense 215 yards to 27 in the second half, scrounged forward — and then backwards — settling for a 47-yard field goal from senior Ben Sauls. But, it turns out, Cade Klubnik had more to add to the discussion. After a prolonged slumber, the Tigers' offense returned to the field with 1:35 remaining, and Klubnik zoomed 50 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in a 24-20 win.
Clemson (8-2, 7-1 ACC) just barely escaped Acrisure Stadium with a final conference victory, saving the Tigers' extremely slight odds of making an ACC title game. Klubnik had been stellar in the first half, completing 20 of 26 for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Considering the injuries Clemson has sustained along its offensive line, and several drops by Klubnik's receivers, it was quite an effort.
The junior quarterback relied heavily on Antonio Williams, who set a career high in receiving yards in a game in just one half with nine catches for 113 yards. Clemson went into the locker room ahead, 17-7. Clemson's offense went in the tank for most of the second half, but Klubnik recovered just in time.
He completed passes of 18 and seven yards to Williams and Jake Briningstool, respectively, before his touchdown run to win it. The defense just barely held on, as well. Safety Khalil Barnes intercepted the Panthers' final heave near the goal line with time expiring.
Clemson's defense racked up eight sacks, which were critical. From the very first snap in Acrisure Stadium, Clemson was challenged just to hold itself together. Elyjah Thurmon, the true freshman standing in for left tackle Tristan Leigh, crumpled to the turf after the Tigers' opening play at Pitt.
The offensive line had to fully shuffle, kicking right guard Walker Parks out to tackle, and tackle Blake Miller flipping from right to left. Later in the half, Clemson freshman linebacker Sammy Brown, starting in place of an injured Wade Woodaz, was ejected for targeting. The redshirt freshman Crayton, who had a dozen more snaps on the season than Woodaz accrues in any given game, became Barrett Carter's sidekick.
It's hard to believe the offensive line's woes didn't contribute to Phil Mafah's 12 yards on 13 carries through three quarters. Plus, Klubnik was sacked five times, which inhibited the Tigers' progress throughout but certainly didn't help during a scoreless third period. Klubnik was just 3-of-8 passing in that frame for a total of 11 yards, and Clemson continued a stretch of five punts in six possessions that stretched back to the middle of the second quarter.
The Tigers have to be cut some slack, given the circumstances, but the offense's stops and starts in recent weeks have been concerning. Some poor tackling by the defense, allowing Pitt's Demond Reid to pop off big plays — including a rush of 43 yards and a reception of 34 — also complicated matters. Clemson finishes out its regular season at home with in-state squads The Citadel and South Carolina.
One will be a tune-up for the other, which may not have much of an impact on Clemson's playoff chances — the Tigers probably have to win the ACC to get there — but there will certainly be plenty of pride on the line. South Carolina beat Clemson, 31-30, the last time the Gamecocks visited Death Valley in 2022. That ended the Tigers' 40-game home winning streak.
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