The Good: A Vintage Clemson Revival
Cade Klubnik didn’t just manage the offense—he commanded it. Completing 22 of 24 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns, the Clemson quarterback looked every bit the player fans have been waiting for. His accuracy, confidence, and pocket command fueled an avalanche of early scores as Clemson stormed out to a 28–3 first-quarter lead.
Wideout Adam Randall’s two-touchdown day and tight end Christian Bentancur’s pair of scores provided balance and versatility. Antonio Williams even opened the afternoon by tossing a 75-yard touchdown to T.J. Moore on a trick play, a reminder that Garrett Riley’s offense still has creativity to burn.
But the defense deserves equal praise. Clemson’s front seven dominated the line of scrimmage, holding UNC to just 54 rushing yards on 17 attempts and forcing 10 third-down stops. Stephiylan Green’s sack, a flurry of pressures from T.J. Parker and Jeremiah Alexander, and disciplined coverage on the back end helped bottle up UNC quarterback Max Johnson, who averaged just 4.7 yards per pass.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement that Clemson’s potential still burns bright.
The Bad: The Ground Game Still Searching
Even in dominance, the running game continues to sputter. Clemson averaged only 2.9 yards per carry, with no single rusher cracking 30 yards. The offensive line opened few lanes, and while the backs ran hard—Gideon Davidson, Adam Randall, and Keith Adams Jr. all contributed modest gains—the Tigers were too one-dimensional at times.
For a team that once prided itself on balance, this remains a concern. The aerial fireworks masked a lingering truth: Clemson still hasn’t established a consistent rushing identity in 2025. That could become an issue against more physical defenses down the stretch.
The Ugly: Penalties and Execution Lapses
The scoreboard hid some sloppiness. Clemson was flagged seven times for 85 yards, including multiple holding and procedural calls that stalled otherwise crisp drives. There was also a fourth-quarter fumble deep in UNC territory that prevented an even larger blowout.
Those small mistakes didn’t cost the Tigers this time, but against better competition, they could. Clemson needs to tighten up its discipline if it wants to build on this performance and climb back into the ACC race.
Final Verdict
This was the Clemson fans expected to see all season—fast, physical, and ferocious. The offense hummed under Klubnik, the defense smothered, and the sideline buzzed with life.
After a rocky 1–3 start, the Tigers didn’t just get back in the win column—they rediscovered who they are.