The Clemson Tigers took a while to get going on Saturday night against Stanford. Once they did, the Tigers poured it on The Cardinal on their way to another dominating win, 40-14.
Clemson (3-1, 2-0) once again got off to a fast start as quarterback Cade Klubnik raced 34 yards for a touchdown on the Tigers’ first possession, and a field goal one drive later upped the lead to 10-0. But a determined Stanford team dug in and made life difficult for the Tigers for the rest of the first half.
The Cardinal (2-2, 1-1) found success running the ball, especially on counter plays, with quarterback Ashton Daniels and running back Micah Ford. Daniels’ touchdown pass to Elic Ayomanor late in the second period trimmed the Stanford deficit to 17-7, but The Cardinal would get no closer as the Clemson Tigers did as they often do and slammed the door in the second half.
The lead grew as large as 17-0 for the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter with the lone score in the period coming on a three-yard pass from Klubnik to Jake Briningstool. Then, in the third quarter, Clemson dropped the hammer.
A 33-yard Nolan Hauser field goal, his second of the night, upped the lead to 20-7, and following a contentious replay which negated a long completion from Klubnik to T.J. Moore, the Clemson signal caller went right back to the air and connected with Cole Turner for a 43-yard dime to the endzone. That, coupled with a renewed defensive effort up front, sealed Stanford’s fate.
The second half response was something Coach Dabo Swinney loved to see from his team.
“I just loved how we played and how we competed,” said Swinney. “The guys responded, and we shut them out in the second half with our ones. I was really happy to see that.”
Dabo Swinney
Stanford knocked on the door several times in the first two quarters, driving inside the Clemson red zone on multiple occasions. The Tigers’ secondary responded in a huge way, picking off Daniels twice, one by Avieon Terrell and another from Jaedyn Lukas, to turn The Cardinal away. Wade Woodaz added a pick of Daniels in the third quarter to complete the turnover trifecta.
The Clemson defense finished with 10 tackles for loss, three forced turnovers, and three turnovers on downs. It was a bend-but-not-break defensive effort, but Swinney praised the play of his secondary for making the most out of the big moments until the front seven settled in and credited the Tigers’ red zone defense as being a pivotal turning point in the game.
“If you watch our first few games, we’ve given up some busts in the red zone,” explained Swinney. “It was good to see us tonight. We were at our best in the red zone. If you are going to be a great team you’ve got to win those situations. Red zone defense, goal line defense, and it was good to see our offense have to put some drives together.”
Dabo Swinney
The largest lead for the Clemson Tigers came to the tune of a 40-7 margin early in the fourth quarter. The final two daggers were in the form of a 34-yard strike from Klubnik to freshman Bryant Wesco and a 2-yard touchdown pass to reserve tight end Olsen Patt-Henry with 10:36 to play.
Stanford added their only other score with 2:31 left in the game on a 22-yard strike from back-up Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson to Emmett Mosley V after Daniels had departed due to injury.
Clemson never could quite get the running game going in this one, but it was Cade Klubnik who once again rose to the occasion and made plays through the air. Cade finished 15-31 passing for 255 yards and four passing touchdowns to go along with his rushing score. It was another great night for a player who Swinney sees growing more confident by the game.
“Cade was awesome,” added Swinney. “He had a couple of plays that he would like to have back but the kid just continues to shine.”
Dabo Swinney
Wesco led all receivers with two catches for 104 yards and a score. Turner added three receptions for 61 yards and Antonio Williams caught four passes for 37 yards before departing with an undisclosed injury.
Mafah led all Clemson rushers with 58 yards on 10 carries and Klubnik tacked on 48 yards on seven totes.
For Stanford, Daniels completed 9 of 19 passes for 71 yards and added 87 yards rushing on 11 carries. Ford led all rushers for The Cardinal with 122 yards on 15 attempts. On the night, Stanford outrushed Clemson 236-150, but the Tigers outgained The Cardinal 405-361.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Clemson Tigers | Full Game Highlights | ESPN College Football (youtube.com)
“You better be able to win one on one or you’re not going to win,” said Swinney. “It’s just that simple. People can stop the run. We just kept battling and honestly, we left a few things out there. We got some things on the outside. I love how we just kept attacking.”
Dabo Swinney
Clemson is back in action next Saturday as the Tigers travel to Tallahassee to take on the struggling Florida State Seminoles who fell to 1-4 after being blown out by SMU. Kick-off is slated for 7 P.M.
