CLEMSON — No. 9 Clemson football handled Virginia on Saturday, winning 48-31 at Memorial Stadium.
Like last week, the Tigers started slow offensively then found their rhythm to rout the Cavaliers (4-3, 2-2 ACC). They trailed for the first time at home this season but clawed back with another dominating performance by their defense. Clemson (6-1, 5-0) secured their sixth straight win and ruin Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott’s homecoming.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik wasn’t sharp like he usually is, throwing for three touchdowns and one interception, but wide receiver Antonio Williams shined to score a passing and rushing touchdown to the Tigers. Defensively, Clemson recorded one turnover and four sacks.
Clemson enters an open week next before returning to host Louisville on Nov. 2 at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers earned their six consecutive win and fifth straight conference victory to increase their lead in the ACC. They routed Virginia, continuing their overall dominance as they eye a playoff appearance.
Clemson leads the all-time series against Virginia 41-10-1.
The late-game fireworks continued with Virginia backup quarterback Tony Muskett finding Ethan Davies for a 75-yard touchdown on a busted coverage on the first play of the Cavaliers’ drive.
With the game out of reach, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney put Klubnik back into the game for Christopher Vizzina after the two-minute timeout, and he connected with wide receiver T.J. Moore for a 34-yard score.
With both teams’ reserves in, Virginia’s outperformed Clemson’s to put together a quick drive to score a touchdown and convert a two-point conversion.
The Tigers put together a 14-play, 70-yard drive that amounted to a Hauser field goal. Hauser is 2-for-2 on Saturday.
It was Clemson’s fourth 10-play-plus drive of the game.
After five scoreless drives dating back to the second quarter, Virginia finds the end zone. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea found wide receiver Malachi Fields for a 45-yard touchdown to snap Clemson’s 35-0 run.
Clemson took advantage of the turnover to score again. On fourth down, Klubnik found Patt-Henry for a 40-yard touchdown on an underthrown. Klubnik has looked shaky throughout Saturday’s game, but his supporting cast has helped lift him.
The Cavaliers were on their best drive of the second half, but linebacker Wade Woodaz derailed it with a diving strip sack that defensive tackle Tré Williams recovered. It was Virginia’s first turnover of the game
Williams rushed for a 36-yard touchdown on a jet sweep to the right to blow by Virginia defenders. The wide receiver already has a passing touchdown and needs a receiving score to complete a hat trick.
Backed by a defense that has forced four straight punts, including three three-and-outs, Clemson has scored 28 unanswered points.
Clemson put together an 11-play, 90-yard drive out of halftime to build its lead. Klubnik found wide receiver T.J. Moore for 17 yards and wide receiver Antonio Williams for 34 yards to set up tight end Olsen Patt-Henry’s 11-yard touchdown reception.
This was Klubnik’s first touchdown pass of the game, and Clemson has scored 21 unanswered points.
Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams connected with a 34-yard pass to wide receiver Troy Stellato to put the Tigers inside the five. Running back Phil Mafah rushed in for a 3-yard score to give Clemson the lead again.
Williams completed a touchdown pass last week to Jake Briningstool against Wake Forest. Williams is 2-for-2 for 62 yards passing and a touchdown this season
Despite playing out of rhythm, Clemson responded to its turnover on its last drive to tie the game against Virginia.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik missed tight end Jake Briningstool for an open touchdown, but the team relied on Mafah, who picked up 25 yards rushing to get it going. Mafah punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Tigers life.
After Kam Robinson’s interception, Virginia scored an 8-yard touchdown to take the lead. Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea rushed for 20 yards on a third-and-17 that helped set up the score to Dakota Twitty.
This is Clemson’s first time trailing at home all season.
On the final play of the first quarter, Klubnik resembled his 2023 self and threw a horrific interception to Virginia’s Kam Robinson.
Robinson appeared to come down to rush, then backed up in coverage to intercept the pass and return it for eight yards. Virginia starts in excellent field position to start the second quarter.
Virginia evens the score with a 14-play, 80-yard drive. Clemson committed three penalties (illegal substitution, offsides and facemask) for 22 yards on the drive that helped the Cavaliers down the field.
However, Clemson didn’t break to allow a touchdown and force a field goal instead.
A big-play filled first drive for Clemson ends with only three points. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed passes for 22 and 31 yards, but a touchdown drop by freshman wide receiver and an ineligible man down field penalty on a scoring pass negated its opening drive.
Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser converted a 29-yard field goal to continue his impressive season.
Virginia will start with the ball in coach Tony Elliott’s first game against Clemson since becoming the Cavaliers’ coach. He played wide receiver for Clemson for four seasons and was an assistant for the Tigers for 11 years.
Clemson vs. Virginia will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network. Chris Cotter and Mark Herzlich will call the game from the booth at Memorial Stadium, with Coley Harvey reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Clemson 41, Virginia 16: The Tigers have been one of the hottest teams in FBS, and Klubnik will keep their momentum going. Despite injuries hitting Clemson’s offensive line and wide receiver unit, Klubnik has lifted the Tigers offense and will do it again vs the Cavaliers.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Clemson: Wide receivers Tyler Brown and Bryant Wesco Jr. and defensive tackle Vic Burley are out.
Virginia: Offensive lineman McKale Boley and wide receivers Chris Tyree and Suderian Harrison are expected to play, according to coach Tony Elliott.
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