Tigers Rout The Citadel, Need Help for ACC Title Game

© Ken Ruinard - Imagn Images

The No. 17 Clemson Tigers (9-2, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) celebrated Senior Night with a 51-14 blowout victory over The Citadel (5-7, 3-5 Southern) on Nov. 23. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik had three touchdown passes and backup running back Jay Haynes had two TD runs. Clemson is now 14-0 all-time against the Bulldogs. Clemson was in control from the opening kickoff. Despite the best efforts of The Citadel’s running game, there was little to show for it. Haynes had a career day for the Tigers and helped create Clemson's insurmountable lead to down the Bulldogs.

Tigers Takeover Early

Despite The Citadel's strong running game, it was all Tigers early and often in the first half. After a missed field goal by the Bulldogs, Clemson responded with a 5-play, 78-yard drive. Klubnik found Antonio Williams down the field for a 30-yard TD and an early 7-0 lead. The Citadel began the next drive running the ball well again but the drive ended abruptly. Defensive lineman Payton Page intercepted an errant pass from Johnathan Bennett and returned it 57 yards for a TD and a 14-0 Tigers lead. 

In the second quarter, the Tigers dominated the Bulldogs up and down the field. Shortly after the quarter began, Klubnik found Bryant Wesco Jr. on a 55-yard TD strike downfield. Wesco split two Citadel defenders with a nifty spin move, then walked into the end zone to increase Clemson’s lead to 21-0. After a quick four-play drive The Citadel ended in a punt, Haynes broke away for a 70-yard run into the end zone for a 28-0 Clemson lead. And the rout was officially on.

The Bulldogs could do little to stop their bleeding in the first half. Despite running the ball well, the offense could not convert on critical third downs. The Citadel defense was simply outmatched. Clemson increased its lead right before halftime, stringing together a nine-play drive where Haynes added his second rushing TD and a 35-0 Clemson lead.

Tigers Dominance Continued

Clemson opened the second half with a big kickoff return. The Tigers started their drive at The Citadel’s 51-yard line. Four plays later, Klubnik found Williams for their second TD connection and increased the Tigers' lead to 42-0. That TD tied Williams for first place in the ACC in receiving TDs with Miami’s Xavier Restrepo. The Citadel responded with a 14-play scoring drive to make it 42-7 Clemson. Tigers backup QB Christopher Vizzina entered the game and led the Tigers down the field for a field goal, making it 45-7.

© Ken Ruinard - Imagn Images

In the fourth quarter, The Citadel continued to run the ball well. It amassed over 275 rushing yards in the game. Their running success helped Bennett have time to connect with Javonte Green-Billips on a 66-yard flea-flicker TD, making it 45-14 Clemson. On the Tigers’ next drive, Clemson ran the ball with purpose behind the legs of Keith Adams Jr. Senior cornerback Barrett Carter ran into the end zone from 4 yards out, making the final score 51-14 Clemson.

Player of the Game

Clemson Running Back Jay Haynes - Clemson | 5 Carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs

Despite it being Senior Night, this freshman carried the night with a 23.6-yard average per carry. Before this game, Haynes' biggest rushing night was 49 yards against Appalachian State.

Looking Ahead

Clemson is finished with conference play. The Tigers need a loss from Miami in the Hurricanes' game versus Syracuse on Nov. 30 to secure a spot in the ACC Championship game. Clemson faces in-state rival South Carolina on Nov. 30, where a win helps keep its slim hopes of a playoff berth alive.

The Citadel finishes its season with this loss. Despite a strong showing from transfer QB Bennett, the Bulldogs did not have the season they planned this year.