Saturday, Clemson fans were put on an emotional rollercoaster. Fortunately, when the ride ended, they were celebrating a victory over Pitt.
The 24-20 last-minute triumph was the most dramatic win of the season. After all, it was the first one-score game the Tigers have played in 2024.
Prior to Saturday, Clemson not gone down to the wire against any opponent. Of course, many Tiger fans didn't expect Pitt to be a team that would push Clemson to the brink.
The Panthers came into the game missing their starting quarterback and their starting left tackle and left guard. What's more, by virtue of two straight losses prior to Saturday, they had seen their ACC Championship hopes crushed.
Still, the home team showed plenty of the type of grit and fight that Pitt football has typically been known for. But so too did Clemson.
Of course, the one Tiger that proved to be the game's hero was QB Cade Klubnik who scored the game-winning TD on a 50-yard quarterback draw. On top of that, he passed for 288 yards and two more touchdowns on a day when his team's running game was stifled.
So as you might expect, Clemson fans on social media were touting their quarterback's heart after his heroic game-winning play.
Nobody :
— John (@iam_johnw) November 16, 2024
Cade Klubnik with Clemson season on the line : pic.twitter.com/gp4rTNB5o9
Cade Klubnik, heart of a lion
— T.A.B. (@toddb0707) November 16, 2024
Cade Klubnik started this game like a leader and a champion.
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) November 16, 2024
Cade Klubnik finished the game like a leader and a champion.
While every Clemson fan was proud of their quarterback, many were not overly thrilled with the fact that an undermanned Pitt team nearly ended the Tigers' ACC title hopes. Those who felt that way were not shy about expressing their thoughts on X.
I’m not worried about the championship. It’d be nice but after seeing how bad this Clemson team looks playing the backups of an unranked Pitt team I’ll be happy with just beating South Carolina. Anything else is sprinkles
— Papa Asha'man (@depthofghost) November 16, 2024
Ugly. Ugly. Ugly win. Better clean that up or the chickens will kill us
— Joe B (@JoeB67920738940) November 16, 2024
This team just isn’t very good but I have to give props to Cade because he is.
— Death Valley enthusiast (@tlng948) November 16, 2024
Cade has been outstanding this year and we are lucky to have him at qb
— Shay-luh (@honestlychay) November 16, 2024
"Boys we ain't doing a good job of coaching but Pitt's coaching is a million times worse. Over and out." pic.twitter.com/QRzndPn1jR
— Larry Williams (@LarryWilliamsTI) November 16, 2024
this was too close
— #20 Bo D. Jangles🍂 (@imthecook131) November 16, 2024
we almost lost that game..
— Korexan (@beyvriw) November 16, 2024
Fire Wes Goodwin, tell Dabo to use the portal, and give Cade more NIL money
— Cam All Along, MBA 👾 (@Cambostotle) November 16, 2024
Naturally, this game will be remembered as much for the controversial officiating as it will be for the late-game dramatics by Klubnik. And because fans are always quick to criticize the men in stripes, there was plenty of discussion about the ACC crew that worked this game.
When the crowd does the officiating, there is a problem.
— Hunter (@huntermeister1) November 16, 2024
Sean McDonough absolutely ripping @ACCFootball referees on national television (again) and deservedly so. The ACC is a total joke. And people wonder why #FSU and #Clemson want out. #Pitt #Noles
— John Honoré (@JohnHonore) November 16, 2024
Sean McDonough doing God's work and laying into ACC refs.
— Long (@fslong1) November 16, 2024
“After discussion” 5 minutes after the play had ended and the coach has run onto the field while the fans chant “Ref you suck” is too late to throw a flag. Clemson referees bending the rules to make up for bad decisions. ACC referees have been entirely incompetent this season.
— Bronco Bleymaier (@BroncoBleymaier) November 16, 2024
The ACC needs to fire this entire crew of refs. So many bad/non calls on both sides. Blatant false starts not called. No holds. Clemson and Pitt both got the Ron Cherry treatment. Absolutely embarrassing. @accnetwork
— Clemson Foosball! (@Runnin_The_Hill) November 16, 2024
Both teams really did their best to lose and the ACC refs managed to be inept all the way to the finish. How are these ACC officiating crews so much worse than High School refs? Are they being paid in restaurant gift certificates?
— Jody The Realtor (@obxjody) November 16, 2024
In the end, the only thing that matters is that Clemson moved to 8-2 overall and wrapped up ACC play at 7-1 to keep pressure on Miami and SMU to keep winning. Though it was closer than most expected, the Tigers did exactly what they needed to do in order to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation. That's what fans should be talking about the most.