Getting back on track, the Clemson Tigers rolled UNC on Saturday by a final score of 38-10. One offensive and one defensive impact player were part of the reason that Clemson was able to dominate the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
Offensive impact player: Cade Klubnik
Hard to overlook the game that quarterback Cade Klubnik had on Saturday. Other offensive players who deserved impact player included: T.J. Moore (five receptions, 108 receiving yards, and one touchdown), Adam Randall (four receptions, 73 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, eight carries, and 30 rushing yards), Christian Bentancur (two receptions, 53 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns), and Bryant Wesco Jr. (two receptions and 42 receiving yards).
Klubnik was the common denominator in all of those receiving stats, as the senior quarterback finished going 22-24 (91.66% completion percentage), with 254 passing yards, and four passing touchdowns. Klubnik averaged 10.58 yards per attempt on Saturday, pushing the ball down the field at a very effective rate.
Defensive impact player: Khalil Barnes
Several defensive players had solid outings. Out of a group of four other players (Tyler Venables, Sammy Brown, Kobe McCloud, and Ashton Hampton), any one of them could have been picked for this title as well.
The Athens, Georgia, native finished with four total tackles (three solo tackles), one pass breakup, and one quarterback hit. As a safety, Barnes was all over the field making plays in the passing game, getting a quarterback hit in the backfield, and securing tackles.
Barnes had only secured one tackle before the game against the Tar Heels. The 2023 All-American Freshman team selection missed the opening game against LSU with a hamstring injury and played against Syracuse but only recorded one tackle and no other stats. Barnes also did not record any stats against Georgia Tech.