Clemson defense under fire: Fans torch Tigers after UNC drive

It didn’t take long for Clemson fans to sound off, and the early reviews aren’t pretty.

After Clemson’s offense got an unexpected spark with Antonio Williams’ trick-play 75-yard touchdown pass, the defense gave it right back. North Carolina marched 59 yards in nearly five minutes, picking apart the Tigers with short passes and power runs before stalling at the Clemson 16. The Tar Heels settled for a 35-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7–3.

On social media, frustration erupted immediately.

“Clemson defense is Charmin soft,” one fan posted. Another added, “Genuinely the worst Clemson defense I’ve seen since the 2012 West Virginia game.”

The complaints weren’t isolated. Comments ranged from sarcastic jabs — “Tell me again how Clemson’s defense is filled with highly rated prospects who will be playing in the NFL” — to outright disbelief: “Good Lord Clemson’s defense 🤦‍♂️.”

Even the penalty bug resurfaced. Clemson was flagged for “disconcerting signals” to open the UNC drive, gifting the Tar Heels a free five yards and fueling the online outrage.

Others noted the troubling trend: “Clemson’s defense coming out of the bye: Still not the necessary effort from all 11,” one fan wrote. Another summed it up bluntly: “I see nothing has changed for the Clemson defense.”