The Clemson Tigers kept right on rolling Saturday afternoon in Death Valley, blowing past the Virginia Cavaliers, 48-31. It was the same old same in many respects, with the offense having a huge day again. In others, there are things that Clemson must shore up. These are a few day-after observations from Saturday’s game.
Offense outburst
The Clemson Tigers and quarterback Cade Klubnik have been explosive. In fact, Clemson has a top eight offense nationally and Cade has been mentioned as a Heisman candidate. On Saturday, the Tigers’ junior QB completed 23 of 35 passes for 308 yards and three scores, though he did throw one bad interception. Phil Mafah scored two rushing touchdowns, and reserve tight end Olsen Patt-Henry caught two scores. T.J. Moore and Troy Stellato were stellar, with Moore catching four passes for 78 yards and a score and Stellato reeling in a game-high seven receptions for 74 yards. All in all, it was another banner day for the rejuvenated offense.
Williams can throw too
Antonio Williams for back-up quarterback? Probably not, but the junior wideout gives the Clemson Tigers the ability to throw some offense wrinkles at opponents with his passing ability. For the second week in a row offensive coordinator Garrett Riley called a double pass for Williams and once again he connected. Antonio passed for a touchdown at Wake Forest and on Saturday threw a pretty pass to Stellato inside the five that set up a Clemson touchdown. And the only other Clemson receiver with a pass complete in consecutive games? Former offensive coordinator and current Virginia head coach Tony Elliot.
Improve the tackling
Clemson has a good defense. Good, but not great. The front seven is wreaking havoc as they always do, but there still seems to be something missing. When you watch this Clemson Tigers team, one thing that stands out if you play close enough attention is the tackling is not anywhere near as fundamental as fans are used to seeing. This has been especially the case in the secondary where the Tigers are giving up some big plays, even on shorter routes where opposing receivers are getting a lot of yards after the catch. Clemson will need to shore up their tackling with the high-powered offenses of Louisville, Pitt, and potentially Miami in the ACC championship game looming.
Reserve reservations
The Clemson Tigers have always lived by the “We too deep” mantra. In 2024, that notion is being tested. Yes, Clemson is blowing opponents out. That has led to a lot of playing time for the reserves and it has, to be honest, not gone well. To look at the Tigers’ scores you would think Clemson is bad defensively. That is not the case. Teams are just scoring literally at will against the second and third string defense. Virginia put up 14 points in less than two minutes against them. That has to get better. You cannot have too much depth, and right now, the Clemson defense might be in trouble if there were to be any injury attrition.
Dabo Swinney and Tony Elliot
There is still a competitive spark between them and that was on full display Saturday afternoon. When Elliot’s Cavaliers scored a late touchdown and successfully converted a two-point try after the game was already out of hand, Swinney decided to prove a point and put his starting offense back in with just over two minutes to play. The result was a dime throw from Klubnik to Moore for an extra Clemson Tigers touchdown. Swinney remarked after the game that if Virginia was going to keep scoring, then so was he.
It was, of course, said in a playful manner as Swinney has the utmost love and respect for his former OC. But it was fun to see the competitive juices still flowing.
