Clemson fans finally got the explosive performance they’d been waiting for. Cade Klubnik completed 22 of 24 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers steamrolled North Carolina 38–10 at Kenan Stadium on Saturday.
Antonio Williams opened the fireworks by throwing a 75-yard touchdown to T.J. Moore on the first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for a game that was never in doubt. Clemson led 28–3 after one quarter and 35–3 at halftime, burying the Tar Heels with a relentless offensive assault.
First-Quarter Avalanche
After North Carolina’s early field goal made it 7–3, Clemson answered with three straight touchdown drives in the opening quarter:
Adam Randall hauled in scoring passes of 35 and 23 yards.
Christian Bentancur added a 45-yard strike from Klubnik.
By the time the first quarter ended, Clemson had 253 yards of total offense and a 25-point cushion.
Klubnik and Company Cook
Klubnik’s near-perfect efficiency (92% completions, 235.6 QB rating) highlighted an offense that racked up 488 total yards. Clemson averaged seven yards per play, converted 3-of-4 fourth downs, and outgained UNC nearly 2-to-1.
T.J. Moore led all receivers with 108 yards, while Randall and Bentancur combined for four touchdown receptions.
Backup quarterbacks Christopher Vizzina and Trent Pearman also saw action late, with Pearman connecting on a 31-yard completion to Clark Sanderson.
Defense Dominates
Defensively, Clemson held UNC to just 229 total yards and only 54 rushing yards. The Tar Heels managed a single touchdown in the fourth quarter — a Benjamin Hall 11-yard run — long after the game was decided.
Stephiylan Green led the charge up front with a sack, while linebackers Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz anchored a unit that allowed just 1-of-10 third-down conversions.
A Complete Team Performance
For Dabo Swinney’s squad, it was a statement win — not just for the scoreboard, but for the confidence it restored. Clemson controlled time of possession (32:25), avoided turnovers, and played with rhythm and balance from start to finish.
After weeks of questions surrounding the program’s direction, the Tigers answered emphatically on the road in Chapel Hill.
Box Score Highlights
Cade Klubnik: 22/24, 254 YDS, 4 TD
Adam Randall: 4 REC, 73 YDS, 2 TD
Christian Bentancur: 2 REC, 53 YDS, 2 TD
T.J. Moore: 5 REC, 108 YDS, 1 TD
Total Offense: Clemson 488 | UNC 270
Third Downs: Clemson 4/12 | UNC 1/10