Live from Death Valley! Clemson vs Charleston Southern
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 11:19 amClemson hosts Charleston Southern today at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 12:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers
The Buccaneers come in at 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference, led by quarterback Lek Powell (48-of-93 for 552 yards, 3 TDs) and running back Hakeem Watters (369 yards, 6 TDs on 55 carries). Their defense runs through linebacker Steve Zayachkowsky, who has 58 tackles and 2 sacks, so the Tigers will need to protect the ball and move the chains early. Charleston Southern is coming off a 49-39 win over South Carolina State, so their offense can put up points in bunches.Clemson Tigers
For the Tigers, this is a chance to get the run game and the young receivers going against an FCS opponent. Gideon Davidson has been the most productive back this season, with 371 yards and 4 touchdowns on 66 carries, and Tait Reynolds has 816 passing yards on the year. Fans should watch how the offensive line holds up up front, and whether the Tigers can build rhythm early before the schedule gets tougher.Twitter List: https://x.com/i/lists/1725973296964116792
Clemson Opponent Preview: Charleston Southern BuccaneersWhy Dabo Swinney’s Record-Breaking Chase Against Charleston Southern Could Change Everything
Clemson hosts Charleston Southern today at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 12:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers
The Buccaneers come in at 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference, led by quarterback Lek Powell (48-of-93 for 552 yards, 3 TDs) and running back Hakeem Watters (369 yards, 6 TDs on 55 carries). Their defense runs through linebacker Steve Zayachkowsky, who has 58 tackles and 2 sacks, so the Tigers will need to protect the ball and move the chains early. Charleston Southern is coming off a 49-39 win over South Carolina State, so their offense can put up points in bunches.
Clemson Tigers
For the Tigers, this is a chance to get the run game and the young receivers going against an FCS opponent. Gideon Davidson has been the most productive back this season, with 371 yards and 4 touchdowns on 66 carries, and Tait Reynolds has 816 passing yards on the year. Fans should watch how the offensive line holds up up front, and whether the Tigers can build rhythm early before the schedule gets tougher.
Twitter List: https://x.com/i/lists/1725973296964116792
Why Dabo Swinney’s Record-Breaking Chase Against Charleston Southern Could Change Everything
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 12:02 pmClemson is ready and running down the hill. Kickoff is moments away at Memorial Stadium. Here they come. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU pic.twitter.com/ybPhoo8ObP
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Clemson is ready and running down the hill. Kickoff is moments away at Memorial Stadium. Here they come. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU pic.twitter.com/ybPhoo8ObP
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 12:13 pmClemson Opens the Scoring With an 8-Play Drive
Clemson got on the board first with a methodical drive that stalled just outside the red zone. The Tigers started at their own 47 and moved 30 yards over eight plays, taking 2:03 off the clock. The drive ended at the Charleston Southern 23, where Nolan Hauser knocked through a 41-yard field goal with 12:51 left in the first quarter.
It's a 3-0 start, with the Tigers' first score coming from a patient drive rather than a big play. Fans should watch whether the offense can turn the next trip into the end zone instead of settling for three again.
Clemson 3, Charleston Southern 0 with 12:51 left in the first quarter. Nolan Hauser hit a 41-yard field goal to put the Tigers on the board. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Clemson Opens the Scoring With an 8-Play Drive
Clemson got on the board first with a methodical drive that stalled just outside the red zone. The Tigers started at their own 47 and moved 30 yards over eight plays, taking 2:03 off the clock. The drive ended at the Charleston Southern 23, where Nolan Hauser knocked through a 41-yard field goal with 12:51 left in the first quarter.
It's a 3-0 start, with the Tigers' first score coming from a patient drive rather than a big play. Fans should watch whether the offense can turn the next trip into the end zone instead of settling for three again.
Clemson 3, Charleston Southern 0 with 12:51 left in the first quarter. Nolan Hauser hit a 41-yard field goal to put the Tigers on the board. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 12:32 pmChris Johnson Jr. rushing for the TD - Clemson 10, CSU 0
Clemson has the early edge, leading Charleston Southern 10-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter. The Tigers opened with a drive that started at their own 47 and covered 30 yards in eight plays, and Nolan Hauser finished it with a field goal from 41 yards. After the Buccaneers moved 43 yards in seven plays and came away with a missed field goal, Clemson went to work from its own 32 and put together nine plays for 68 yards. Chris Johnson Jr. finished it with a six yard touchdown run, and Hauser added the extra point.
That's a Clemson defense that bent a little and then held, and an offense that answered with a real drive. The Buccaneers have yet to score, and the Tigers have the early momentum.
Clemson 10, Charleston Southern 0, and Chris Johnson Jr. just punched it in from six yards with 5:17 left in the first quarter. That's a running back finishing a drive, and the Buccaneers are going to have to answer. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Chris Johnson Jr. rushing for the TD - Clemson 10, CSU 0
Clemson has the early edge, leading Charleston Southern 10-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter. The Tigers opened with a drive that started at their own 47 and covered 30 yards in eight plays, and Nolan Hauser finished it with a field goal from 41 yards. After the Buccaneers moved 43 yards in seven plays and came away with a missed field goal, Clemson went to work from its own 32 and put together nine plays for 68 yards. Chris Johnson Jr. finished it with a six yard touchdown run, and Hauser added the extra point.
That's a Clemson defense that bent a little and then held, and an offense that answered with a real drive. The Buccaneers have yet to score, and the Tigers have the early momentum.
Clemson 10, Charleston Southern 0, and Chris Johnson Jr. just punched it in from six yards with 5:17 left in the first quarter. That's a running back finishing a drive, and the Buccaneers are going to have to answer. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 12:44 pmEnd of 1st Quarter: Clemson took a 10-0 lead
Nolan Hauser opened the scoring with a 41-yard field goal with 12:51 left in the first quarter. Chris Johnson Jr. then ran in from six yards at 5:17, and Hauser added the extra point. The Tigers' first drive covered 30 yards in eight plays, and their second covered 68 yards in nine. Charleston Southern's best drive went 43 yards in seven plays and ended in a missed field goal, and its other drive ended in a punt after 12 yards.
The defense has been solid. Jeremiah Alexander and Elliot Washington II each have two tackles, and Alexander's both were solo. Caden Story has a tackle for loss, and Donovan Starr broke up a pass. Ronan Hanafin, Jerome Carter III, Fletcher Cothran, Corey Myrick and Kourtney Kelly each have one tackle. Charleston Southern has not scored.
END 1st QTR: Clemson 10, Charleston Southern 0
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Nolan Hauser's field goal and a six yard Chris Johnson Jr. touchdown run set the pace, and the Tigers' defense forced a missed field goal and a punt. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
End of 1st Quarter: Clemson took a 10-0 lead
Nolan Hauser opened the scoring with a 41-yard field goal with 12:51 left in the first quarter. Chris Johnson Jr. then ran in from six yards at 5:17, and Hauser added the extra point. The Tigers' first drive covered 30 yards in eight plays, and their second covered 68 yards in nine. Charleston Southern's best drive went 43 yards in seven plays and ended in a missed field goal, and its other drive ended in a punt after 12 yards.
The defense has been solid. Jeremiah Alexander and Elliot Washington II each have two tackles, and Alexander's both were solo. Caden Story has a tackle for loss, and Donovan Starr broke up a pass. Ronan Hanafin, Jerome Carter III, Fletcher Cothran, Corey Myrick and Kourtney Kelly each have one tackle. Charleston Southern has not scored.
END 1st QTR: Clemson 10, Charleston Southern 0
Nolan Hauser's field goal and a six yard Chris Johnson Jr. touchdown run set the pace, and the Tigers' defense forced a missed field goal and a punt. #ClemsonFB #Tigers #ClemsonVsCSU
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 12:52 pmClemson's Drive Ends in Davidson Touchdown Run, Clemson 17, CSU 0
Clemson's latest scoring drive covered 40 yards on 12 plays and took 4:18. It began at the Charleston Southern 40 and ended with Gideon Davidson's 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, with 13:30 left. Nolan Hauser's extra point made it 17-0. Davidson carried five times for 19 yards on the drive, and Jay Haynes added three carries for 12 yards. Tait Reynolds ran for 10 yards and completed two of three passes, to Christian Bentancur for 7 yards and to Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 3-yard loss. An illegal formation penalty on Clemson cost five yards and wiped out one play.
The drive shows how the Tigers are handling the Buccaneers. They kept the ball on the ground and used short passes to keep the chains moving, and they finished in the red zone. Clemson's first two touchdowns came from different backs, Johnson and Davidson, which means the offense isn't leaning on one player.
Clemson 17, Charleston Southern 0 with 13:30 left in the second quarter.
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Gideon Davidson finished a 12 play, 40 yard drive with a seven yard touchdown run up the middle, and the Tigers are rolling. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
Clemson's Drive Ends in Davidson Touchdown Run, Clemson 17, CSU 0
Clemson's latest scoring drive covered 40 yards on 12 plays and took 4:18. It began at the Charleston Southern 40 and ended with Gideon Davidson's 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, with 13:30 left. Nolan Hauser's extra point made it 17-0. Davidson carried five times for 19 yards on the drive, and Jay Haynes added three carries for 12 yards. Tait Reynolds ran for 10 yards and completed two of three passes, to Christian Bentancur for 7 yards and to Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 3-yard loss. An illegal formation penalty on Clemson cost five yards and wiped out one play.
The drive shows how the Tigers are handling the Buccaneers. They kept the ball on the ground and used short passes to keep the chains moving, and they finished in the red zone. Clemson's first two touchdowns came from different backs, Johnson and Davidson, which means the offense isn't leaning on one player.
Clemson 17, Charleston Southern 0 with 13:30 left in the second quarter.
Gideon Davidson finished a 12 play, 40 yard drive with a seven yard touchdown run up the middle, and the Tigers are rolling. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 1:02 pmClemson's Defense Bends but Doesn't Break
Clemson leads Charleston Southern 17-0 with 9:33 left in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers are finding some room. They have 74 total yards, 50 of them through the air on 6 of 8 passing, and five first downs. Their first drive covered 43 yards in seven plays before ending in a missed field goal. A later field goal try also went wrong when the snap was muffed. Their second drive went 12 yards and ended in a punt, and they have moved 34 yards on a third drive that was still going when the feed was pulled.
Every one of those drives has come up empty so far. The Buccaneers are 0 for 2 on third down, and Clemson has not given up a turnover or a score. The Tigers have 10 first downs and 128 yards on the other side, so the margin is the defense making stops when it matters. That bend but don't break approach is good enough for now, but a team that keeps getting close will eventually cash one in.
The Buccaneers' field goal try ended with a muffed snap, and the Tigers' defense keeps CSU at 0. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Clemson's Defense Bends but Doesn't Break
Clemson leads Charleston Southern 17-0 with 9:33 left in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers are finding some room. They have 74 total yards, 50 of them through the air on 6 of 8 passing, and five first downs. Their first drive covered 43 yards in seven plays before ending in a missed field goal. A later field goal try also went wrong when the snap was muffed. Their second drive went 12 yards and ended in a punt, and they have moved 34 yards on a third drive that was still going when the feed was pulled.
Every one of those drives has come up empty so far. The Buccaneers are 0 for 2 on third down, and Clemson has not given up a turnover or a score. The Tigers have 10 first downs and 128 yards on the other side, so the margin is the defense making stops when it matters. That bend but don't break approach is good enough for now, but a team that keeps getting close will eventually cash one in.
The Buccaneers' field goal try ended with a muffed snap, and the Tigers' defense keeps CSU at 0. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 1:13 pmChris Johnson Jr. Finds the End Zone Second as a Tiger
Clemson leads Charleston Southern 24-0 with 5:30 left in the second quarter, and Chris Johnson Jr. has scored both of the Tigers' most recent touchdowns. His first came on a 6-yard run at 5:17 of the first quarter, and his second came on a 2-yard run at 5:30 of the second. Nolan Hauser kicked both extra points. Johnson has four carries for 14 yards today, and his two scores are the first touchdowns of his Clemson career. ESPN's 2026 game log shows no rushing touchdowns in his five earlier Tiger games.
The second score capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive that took 4:06 and started at the Clemson 30. Tait Reynolds went 3-of-4 passing for 52 yards on the drive, and Christian Bentancur caught a 32-yard pass that a Charleston Southern roughing-the-passer penalty helped extend. Reynolds also fumbled and recovered his own fumble, and the Tigers still kept the drive alive. Johnson is making the most of his opportunities, and the Clemson offense is finding him near the goal line.
Chris Johnson Jr. has two touchdowns today, and both are his first and second as a Tiger. Clemson leads 24-0 with 5:30 left in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers are still searching for points. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Chris Johnson Jr. Finds the End Zone Second as a Tiger
Clemson leads Charleston Southern 24-0 with 5:30 left in the second quarter, and Chris Johnson Jr. has scored both of the Tigers' most recent touchdowns. His first came on a 6-yard run at 5:17 of the first quarter, and his second came on a 2-yard run at 5:30 of the second. Nolan Hauser kicked both extra points. Johnson has four carries for 14 yards today, and his two scores are the first touchdowns of his Clemson career. ESPN's 2026 game log shows no rushing touchdowns in his five earlier Tiger games.
The second score capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive that took 4:06 and started at the Clemson 30. Tait Reynolds went 3-of-4 passing for 52 yards on the drive, and Christian Bentancur caught a 32-yard pass that a Charleston Southern roughing-the-passer penalty helped extend. Reynolds also fumbled and recovered his own fumble, and the Tigers still kept the drive alive. Johnson is making the most of his opportunities, and the Clemson offense is finding him near the goal line.
Chris Johnson Jr. has two touchdowns today, and both are his first and second as a Tiger. Clemson leads 24-0 with 5:30 left in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers are still searching for points. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 1:18 pmKylon Griffin Takes a Fumble to the House
Clemson's lead is now 31-0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter, and it came from the special teams unit. Nolan Hauser's kickoff after Chris Johnson Jr.'s touchdown went 63 yards, and Charleston Southern's Quay Kindell brought it back 15 yards to the CSU 17. He fumbled there, and Griffin recovered it and ran 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.
It was the third Clemson score in about a quarter's worth of football, and it came right after the Tigers' nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Before that, Charleston Southern's third drive covered 21 yards in seven plays and ended with a turnover on downs at the Clemson 30. The Buccaneers have still not scored.
Clemson 31, Charleston Southern 0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter. Kylon Griffin picked up a fumbled kick return and ran it 17 yards to the end zone. Hauser's extra point is good. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Kylon Griffin Takes a Fumble to the House
Clemson's lead is now 31-0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter, and it came from the special teams unit. Nolan Hauser's kickoff after Chris Johnson Jr.'s touchdown went 63 yards, and Charleston Southern's Quay Kindell brought it back 15 yards to the CSU 17. He fumbled there, and Griffin recovered it and ran 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.
It was the third Clemson score in about a quarter's worth of football, and it came right after the Tigers' nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Before that, Charleston Southern's third drive covered 21 yards in seven plays and ended with a turnover on downs at the Clemson 30. The Buccaneers have still not scored.
Clemson 31, Charleston Southern 0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter. Kylon Griffin picked up a fumbled kick return and ran it 17 yards to the end zone. Hauser's extra point is good. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Quote from Clifton Canady on October 17, 2026, 1:37 pmHauser's 59-Yarder Caps the First Half
Clemson took a 34-0 lead into halftime with a Nolan Hauser field goal from 59 yards with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. The Tigers started the drive at their own 28 after Charleston Southern punted, and they covered 31 yards in nine plays over 2:18.
Charleston Southern's Jessie Modupe was flagged for roughing the passer on a Tait Reynolds pass to T.J. Moore's area, a 15-yard penalty that gave Clemson a fresh set of downs. Charleston Southern's M. Bowen also drew an offside call that moved the ball five yards. Clemson used both timeouts to set up the kick. The Tigers are up 34-0 and close to halftime.
Clemson 34, Charleston Southern 0 with 47 seconds left in the half. The Tigers moved 31 yards in nine plays, and Nolan Hauser finished it from 59 yards out. Clemson takes a big lead into the locker room. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026
Hauser's 59-Yarder Caps the First Half
Clemson took a 34-0 lead into halftime with a Nolan Hauser field goal from 59 yards with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. The Tigers started the drive at their own 28 after Charleston Southern punted, and they covered 31 yards in nine plays over 2:18.
Charleston Southern's Jessie Modupe was flagged for roughing the passer on a Tait Reynolds pass to T.J. Moore's area, a 15-yard penalty that gave Clemson a fresh set of downs. Charleston Southern's M. Bowen also drew an offside call that moved the ball five yards. Clemson used both timeouts to set up the kick. The Tigers are up 34-0 and close to halftime.
Clemson 34, Charleston Southern 0 with 47 seconds left in the half. The Tigers moved 31 yards in nine plays, and Nolan Hauser finished it from 59 yards out. Clemson takes a big lead into the locker room. #Clemson #ClemsonFootball
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) October 17, 2026