CLEMSON, S.C. – In a dominant display that showcased both offensive firepower and a tenacious defense, Clemson Football secured its 800th all-time victory with a commanding 59-35 triumph over NC State in front of a sold-out Memorial Stadium during the 92nd Textile Bowl. This victory marks the Tigers as the first team in the ACC to reach this historic milestone.
Clemson’s junior quarterback, Cade Klubnik, was a standout performer, guiding the Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) to an impressive seven touchdowns on nine drives. Klubnik finished the day with 254 total yards—209 passing on 16-for-24 attempts—and added 70 rushing yards, punctuated by a thrilling 55-yard touchdown run, marking his longest career rush.
The Tigers set the tone early, establishing a 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Klubnik’s offensive surge included three touchdown passes, showcasing his ability to connect effectively with receivers like Antonio Williams, who caught two touchdown passes in the game.
“Lights Out,QB1 best in the country”
-Antonio Williams on how he feels about how his quarterback is playing right now
Running back Phil Mafah also made headlines, rushing for 107 yards on just seven carries, including a 38-yard touchdown that solidified his place in Clemson history as he became the 22nd player to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards.’
“I saw the holes opening up, the offensive line did their job so I had to do mine. I give all the props to them and they set it up well. We had great preparation, in order to execute as we did.”
-Phil Mafah on effeciency of offense
Clemson’s defense was equally impressive, forcing two turnovers in the first quarter. Cornerback Ashton Hampton put the finishing touch on the defensive effort with a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the third quarter, demonstrating the Tigers’ knack for capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes.
The first half saw Clemson dominate both sides of the ball. Following a scoreless drive from NC State, the Tigers responded swiftly with a series of explosive plays. Klubnik opened the scoring with his long touchdown run, followed by a rapid-fire 91-yard scoring drive that left the Wolfpack reeling.
Defensive pressure was relentless, highlighted by a fumble forced by sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker. The resulting possession saw Mafah extending the lead to 28-0. NC State finally found the end zone with a touchdown from Jordan Waters, but Clemson quickly quelled any hopes of a comeback with additional scores, including a rushing touchdown from Cole Turner—his first career score.
Clemson entered halftime with a commanding 45-7 lead, a testament to both its offensive efficiency and defensive prowess. The Tigers continued to build on their lead in the second half, with Klubnik throwing another touchdown to Adam Randall, while NC State managed to claw back with a couple of touchdowns late in the game.
Despite NC State’s late-game resurgence, the Tigers’ early dominance ensured the victory margin remained significant. As Clemson prepares for their upcoming matchup against Stanford on Homecoming weekend, they will look to build on this momentum, aiming to extend their winning streak and further establish their legacy within college football. Clemson’s next challenge kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. on ESPN
