Death Valley nearly lived up to its nickname — for the home team. After a stunningly flat first half left Clemson trailing Troy 16-0, the Tigers roared back with 27 unanswered points to avoid disaster. The comeback showed resilience, but the shaky start raised eyebrows. Here’s a look at the three ups and three downs that defined Clemson’s 27-16 win.
Up No. 1: Cade Klubnik’s Composure
The junior QB looked rattled early, capped by a brutal pick-six. But he responded in a big way, finishing 18-of-24 for 196 yards and two touchdowns. His third-quarter strike to Bryant Wesco Jr. flipped the momentum and proved he could steady the offense under pressure.
Up No. 2: Bryant Wesco Jr.’s Breakout
Wesco torched Troy’s secondary, hauling in 7 catches for 118 yards and two scores. Every time Clemson needed a big play, No. 12 delivered — from a 26-yard TD to the dagger 34-yarder in the fourth quarter. He’s becoming Klubnik’s go-to guy.
Up No. 3: Defense Clamps Down
After surrendering 206 yards in the first half, Clemson’s defense slammed the door. The Tigers picked off Troy QB Goose Crowder three times and held the Trojans scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Pass rush pressure and secondary adjustments turned the tide.
Down No. 1: Sluggish Starts
For the second straight opener, Clemson sleepwalked through the first half. The Tigers had just 17 rushing yards at halftime and turned it over twice. Against better competition, that hole could be fatal.
Down No. 2: Offensive Line Struggles
The run game eventually came alive behind Adam Randall, but protection issues remained. Klubnik was sacked once and pressured often, and the ground attack averaged just 4.1 yards per carry overall.
Down No. 3: Costly Turnovers
An Adam Randall fumble and Klubnik’s pick-six spotted Troy 13 points in the first half. Clemson escaped this time, but gifting points to an ACC opponent could flip the outcome.
Final Takeaway
Clemson showed both its flaws and its fight. The Tigers need cleaner starts and fewer mistakes, but the resilience in erasing a 16-point deficit could prove invaluable as ACC play looms.