No. 10 Clemson Survives Early Mistakes to Dominate Virginia

© Alexander Hicks - Imagn Images

In a strong Atlantic Coast Conference game, the Clemson Tigers (6-1, 5-0) defeated the Virginia Cavaliers (4-3, 2-2) 48-31 on Oct. 19. The final score does not indicate the Tigers’ dominance during this game, behind the steady hand of quarterback Cade Klubnik and the versatility of wide receiver Antonio Williams. After a few early setbacks in the game, Clemson recovered and left Virginia chasing to catch up.

Virginia’s First Half Fight

This game began with each team picking and choosing their offensive attacks like two prized fighters. Clemson struck first on a methodic 11-play drive that ended with a field goal by Nolan Hauser to give the Tigers an early 3-0 lead at the 6:56 mark in the first quarter. Virginia would counter on their next possession behind aggressive play-calling. Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott quickly decided to go for a fourth and one inside Clemson territory. His team rewarded that decision by completing the drive with a field goal by Will Bettridge tie the game at three with 53 seconds left in the first quarter. It was a strong, disciplined 14-play drive where Virginia’s offensive line challenged Clemson’s front seven and won.

Clemson’s final drive of the first quarter ended uncharacteristically as quarterback Cade Klubnik threw his third interception this season. Virginia linebacker Kam Robinson recorded his first interception of the year when Klubnik threw the ball directly into the defenders’ arms.

The second quarter saw Virginia take a 7-point lead early after the turnover by Clemson. Virginia responded to the interception with a 6-play, 34-yard drive, resulting in a touchdown to tight end Dakota Twitty at the 12:26 mark in the second quarter. The Cavaliers caught the Clemson defense waiting for the call from the sideline. The lack of focus from the Tiger’s staff and players was met with boos from the sellout crowd.

The Tigers would immediately rebound from their mistakes and slow start to the game on the next drive. Clemson turned to back Phil Mafah and the running game. The offense marched down the field on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Mafah punching it into the end zone from 1-yard out with 7:38 left in the second quarter. Clemson’s defense quickly ran the Cavaliers’ offense off the field with a three-play drive that resulted in negative 15 yards. Clemson would then turn to offensive misdirection and trickery with a reverse pass from wide receiver Antonio Williams to Troy Stellato. Mafah would convert on the next play for his second TD of the half and put the Tigers up 17-10 with 3:42 left in the first half.

Clemson on Cruise Control

For all the fire that Virginia came out with for the first half, the second half was all smoke. Clemson’s defensive adjustment was to get into man coverage and send gap blitzes to keep the elusive Anthony Colandrea in the pocket and force him to make decisions quicker than he would like. The Tigers’ opening drive demoralized the Virginia defense on 11 plays for 90 yards and burned five minutes off the game clock. From the second quarter on, Clemson dominated the struggling Cavaliers on both sides of the ball. Scoring 35 unanswered points before Virginia’s offense could counter. Clemson’s most exciting play during the second-half onslaught was a WR jet sweep for Williams, who scampered in the end zone untouched for 36 yards with 4:31 left in the third quarter.

Virginia would answer and finally find success vs. the Clemson defense in the fourth quarter when Colandrea found Malachi Fields for a 44-yard touchdown with 14:53 left in the game. This closed the Cavalier's scoring gap, as Clemson led 38- 17, but the Tigers added three points to their total on the next drive on a 22-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter. Virginia would not go down without a fight, adding two late passing touchdowns to Sackett Wood Jr. and Ethan Davies for an explosive 21-point quarter. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, their heroic efforts proved too late and Clemson remains undefeated in the ACC.

Player of the Game

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Klubnik had another stellar game for the Tigers and continues to lead them with good decision-making and converting on key drives. Klubnik was 23-of-35 for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns.

© Alex Hicks, Jr./USA TODAY Network - Imagn Images

Looking Ahead

Clemson remains undefeated in conference play. They are playing well in all three phases of the game and focused on the ACC championship game. Their toughest remaining opponent is No. 20 Pittsburgh, but they must not overlook anyone in a competitive ACC.

The Cavaliers are now 2- 2 in the ACC and will need to win the remainder of their conference games and hope for some losses from teams ahead of them. They still have their roughest stretch of the schedule to work through when they face No. 20 Pittsburgh, No. 12 Notre Dame and No. 21 SMU in November.