Clemson didn’t just beat Furman. It showcased its deepest and most productive quarterback performance of the season, rolling up 237 passing yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 63.8 percent completion rate. And for the first time all year, every quarterback who took the field produced scoring-caliber drives.
Here is the full breakdown — and the real meaning behind each performance.
Cade Klubnik — Grade: A-
9-of-15, 159 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Klubnik started fast and efficient, commanding Clemson’s early dominance with rhythm throws and decisive reads that produced scoring drives on three of his first four possessions.
He pushed the ball vertically with confidence — highlighted by the 22-yard and 35-yard touchdown strikes to Antonio Williams — and posted an explosive 10.6 yards per attempt. His early timing with T.J. Moore and Cole Turner helped stress Furman’s secondary immediately.
The lone blemish: a messy three-play sequence late in the first quarter, ending in an intentional grounding penalty and a punt. Still, Klubnik delivered exactly what Clemson needed: clean, efficient, starter-level execution.
Bottom line: He stabilized the offense, but the gap between him and Clemson’s younger quarterbacks shrunk on Saturday.
Chris Vizzina — Grade: B
9-of-15, 52 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Vizzina’s afternoon was a snapshot of where he is in his development — smart, steady, and mostly risk-averse. His touchdown pass to Christian Bentancur on a third-and-goal from the six was textbook: quick decision, accurate placement, and poise against pressure.
He also generated intermediate completions to Chase Byrd and Josh Sapp while operating mostly in structured passing situations. His drive-to-drive command wasn’t as explosive as Klubnik’s, but it was calm and mistake-free.
Bottom line: Vizzina didn’t push the competition dramatically, but he absolutely held serve with a solid, composed outing.
Chris Denson — Grade: A++++++++++++++
4-of-4, 22 yards, 1 TD | 6 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
This was the breakout Clemson fans had been waiting on. Denson was electric, turning the fourth quarter into his personal highlight reel with a 50-yard run, a 4-yard touchdown strike to Logan Brooking, and a 10-yard touchdown run to finish things off.
The staff didn’t ask him to do much as a passer — and he didn’t need to. He completed every throw, kept the offense on schedule, and showed the dynamic dual-threat ability that Dabo Swinney has praised privately for months.
Bottom line: The most eye-opening performance of the day. Denson put real pressure on the quarterback hierarchy and gave Clemson a legitimate change-of-pace weapon.
Trent Pearman — Grade: C+
1-of-2, 4 yards
Pearman saw limited action, running a brief two-play sequence late in the third quarter. His lone completion went for four yards to Juju Preston. Not enough volume to draw sweeping conclusions, but he handled his assignment cleanly.
Bottom line: Small sample, but he avoided negative plays — exactly what you want from a situational relief quarterback.
Overall Quarterback Grade — A
Clemson quarterbacks combined for four touchdowns, zero turnovers, 237 passing yards, 106 QB rushing yards from Denson alone, and 45 total points. The versatility and efficiency were as strong as anything the Tigers have shown all season.