CLEMSON — No. 8 Clemson football was upset by Louisville on Saturday, losing 33-21 at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) returned from their open week lifeless, having miscues on offense, defense and special teams. They entered Saturday having won 22 straight home night games but suffered an untimely loss to the Cardinals (6-3, 4-2).
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik had his worst game since Week 1 against Georgia, going 33-for-56 for 228 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Louisville gashed the Tigers on the ground to rush for 210 yards. Clemson also had two field goals blocked that highlighted the team’s rough performance.
Clemson faces Virginia Tech next Saturday at Lane Stadium.
The Tigers suffered their first conference loss and second defeat of the season. Louisville played with more energy and limited its mistakes to upset the No. 8 team in the country on the road.
Louisville earned its first win against Clemson, making the all-time series 8-1.
Running back Phil Mafah rushed for a 1-yard touchdown after Clemson put together a 12-play drive.
Clemson attempted another onside kick but was unsuccessful.
Clemson attempted an onside kick and appeared to recover it. However, Louisville came away with the ball under further review, which led to fans throwing objects on the field.
Then, Louisville rushed for a 47-yard touchdown, courtesy of Isaac Brown.
Running back Phil Mafah has been one of the bright spots for Clemson on Saturday. He has rushed for 140 yards on 25 carries. He punched in a 3-yard score to cut Clemson’s deficit to 12.
Clemson attempted to make it a two-possession game with a 28-yard field goal, but Louisville blocked it with pressure coming from the left side of the line.
Clemson went for it on fourth-and-1, and running back Phil Mafah was stuffed at the line. Louisville took over, but the Tigers held them out of the end zone.
Louisville kicker Brock Travelstead connected from 49 yards. He is 4-or-5 on Saturday with his lone miss coming in the first quarter.
Louisville returned a punt for a touchdown, but it was negated by an illegal block in the back. It bounced back to get in field-goal position to connect on a 40-yard field goal.
The Cardinals have outgained Clemson 315-171 so far on Saturday.
The Cardinals crossed the 50-yard line again on their first possession of the game, but Clemson’s defense held them out of the end zone. Quarterback Tyler Shough could got thrown for a first down, but wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce dropped the pass.
Louisville settled for a 42-yard field goal to have a 13-point lead.
Louisville capitalized on its blocked field goal and ran the ball for all of its yards to score a touchdown. Running back Keyjuan Brown punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Cardinals a 10-point lead.
Louisville gets the ball to start the third quarter too, so Clemson will need a second-half rally.
The Tigers drove into their own territory through running back Phil Mafah. They tried to convert a first down, but two pass break ups stalled their drive.
Then, Clemson freshman kicker Nolan Hauser’s 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked, and Louisville recovered past the 50-yard line.
Louisville responded after losing its lead with a seven-play, 92-yard drive. A pass interference on third-and-7 helped keep the Cardinals on the field, and they capitalized on it with a 4-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Tyler Shough, who flipped into the end zone.
After having three yards in its first two possessions, Clemson put together its best drive of the game.
The Tigers went 11 plays for 75 yards. They converted a third-and-8 and fourth-and-1 on the drive, and quarterback Cade Klubnik capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Clemson converted a fourth-and-1 using its jumbo package, and Louisville linebacker Benjamin Perry got injured. He was down for an extended time, and trainers had to put a brace around his neck.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney checked on Perry, and the crowd applauded Perry when he walked off the field.
Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell rushed for 47 yards on an end-around play on the Cardinals’ opening drive to get them in the red zone. Despite a delay of game penalty by DeMonte Capehart that gave Louisville a first down, Clemson’s defense held them out of the end zone.
Louisville has 105 yards of offense, while Clemson has three through each team’s first two drives.
Clemson began its first drive off of its open week with a three-and-out. A false start penalty derailed its drive.
Louisville had success on its possession, getting past the 50-yard line. However, back-to-back penalties pushed it back. It attempted a 40-yard field goal but missed.
Louisville won the toss and elected to defer until the second half. Clemson will start with the football.
Clemson vs. Louisville will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network. Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will call the game from the booth at Memorial Stadium, with Kris Budden reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Clemson 38, Louisville 28: Both offenses can erupt for high scores, but the Tigers’ defense will generate critical stops or turnovers to hold off the Cardinals. Clemson has won 22 straight home night games since 2013, and Klubnik will play well to continue that streak and lead Clemson to a 6-0 conference record.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Clemson: Wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. and defensive lineman Vic Burley are active. Wide receiver Tyler Brown and offensive lineman Collin Sadler are out.
Louisville: N/A
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