Another Saturday in Death Valley, another frustrating result for a Clemson team that can't seem to find its footing. The Tigers dropped a hard-fought battle to a tough SMU squad, 35-24, falling to 3-4 on the season.
This was a game of bizarre contradictions. The passing offense, a question mark for much of the year, came alive with explosive plays. Yet, the run defense, typically a staple of Clemson football, was gashed repeatedly. It was a back-and-forth affair that ultimately saw the Mustangs make more plays down the stretch to seal the victory.
So, what went right and what went horribly wrong for the Tigers? Let's break down a wild afternoon in our 3 Ups and 3 Downs.
▲ 3 UPS ▲
1. Christopher Vizzina's Breakout Performance
In a season searching for answers at quarterback, Christopher Vizzina delivered a career-defining performance. The young QB was poised, accurate, and consistently made big throws downfield, giving the Tigers' offense a much-needed spark.
- The Stat Line: Vizzina was brilliant, throwing for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.
- He was at his best when the lights were brightest, connecting with T.J. Moore for two long touchdowns of 32 and 62 yards. He kept his team in the game until the very end.
2. T.J. Moore: The Big-Play Machine
Every great quarterback needs a go-to receiver, and T.J. Moore was exactly that on Saturday. He was a constant threat, torching the SMU secondary for huge gains and proving to be Vizzina's favorite target.
- The Production: Moore was the star of the show, racking up 124 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 catches.
- His 62-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter was a game-changing play that pulled Clemson back to within two points.
3. Third-Down Resilience
Despite the loss, Clemson’s offense showed incredible fight in clutch situations, particularly on third down. They consistently moved the chains when they needed to, a significant improvement from previous weeks.
- The Key Stat: The Tigers converted on 8 of 19 third-down attempts. This was particularly evident during a massive 17-play, 65-yard drive in the third quarter that ended in a field goal. That drive alone was a showcase of their newfound resilience.
▼ 3 DOWNS ▼
1. The Run Defense Completely Vanished
For a program that prides itself on tough, physical defense, this was a stunning collapse. The SMU rushing attack did whatever it wanted, gashing the Tigers for chunk plays and demoralizing touchdowns.
- The Ugly Numbers: SMU ran for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging a dominant 5.0 yards per carry.
- The backbreaker was a 35-yard touchdown run by Derrick McFall in the third quarter, which came just moments after Clemson had pulled within two.
2. An Anemic Rushing Attack
While the passing game soared, the ground game was completely stuck in the mud. The inability to establish any semblance of a run threat made the offense one-dimensional and put immense pressure on Vizzina.
- The Stat Line: Clemson’s offense produced a pathetic 35 net yards on 30 rushing attempts, for an average of just 1.2 yards per carry. Adam Randall was the leading rusher with only 29 yards.
3. Turnovers and Sacks at Critical Moments
In a close game, a few negative plays can be the difference between winning and losing. A costly fumble and the inability to protect the quarterback proved to be Clemson's undoing.
- The Mistakes: Christopher Vizzina, despite his heroics, fumbled the ball away in the first quarter, which led to an SMU touchdown just a few plays later. He was also sacked 4 times, often in crucial situations that stalled drives