FINAL: SMU 35, Clemson 24

Well, this is going to be interesting to watch today. With Christopher Vizzina expected to get the start, there are a ton of potential storylines looming.

If he plays well, it would calm the concerns about next season's team needing to take a transfer quarterback.
With a bad game, it would further push the panic button for some fans about the future at QB. If he plays amazingly, some will say, "See, we told you he should have been playing ahead of Cade," yet we haven't seen evidence of that with a limited sample size.

Buckle up. The storylines are coming one way or the other.

Clemson's opening drive will end with a punt. The Tigers go 18 yards on 5 plays and get a beautiful punt.

Not ideal, but certainly could have been worse. pic.twitter.com/S9Ainv11jf

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

What's up Swanny? Hope you're doing well. This should be an interesting ball game in Death Valley with Vizzina at quarterback.

Clemson's defense gets after Jennings on 3rd down, forcing a Mustang punt. Jennings hobbles off after taking a big hit.

Tigers get a sack on a blitz and force a punt.

Bryant Wesco fumbles the ensuing punt return and Clemson dodges a bullet.

Drive No. 2 for Vizzina coming up. Let's see what he can do.

Vizzina fumbles on the pass out to the left, but the ruling was upheld.

SMU ball with 6:46 to play in the first quarter near midfield.

I love the ACC Game Day Operations Center giving everybody an inside look at the replays.

1bstockdale said:

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What's up Swanny? Hope you're doing well. This should be an interesting ball game in Death Valley with Vizzina at quarterback.

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Hey Brandon! Good to see you here. Yeah, going to be interesting-- especially with Jennings now banged up as well.

Tom Allen's defense gets the job done to mitigate the impact of that midfield turnover. Clemson football after an SMU punt.

1st-and-10 from the 20-yard line, 5:49 left in Q1

SMU hits on a 70-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead on Clemson with 3:52 left in Q1. pic.twitter.com/BCMJ10pXXD

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

Touchdown SMU.

Kevin Jennings connects with Jordan Hudson for a 70-yard TD on a beautiful throw and catch.

Mustangs up 7-0.

That was ALMOST a monster play by the Clemson defense. Tigers get the ball back with 1:32 left in Q1.

That hit from Ashton Hampton sounded like a car wreck. What a hit.

I can hear the boo birds on TV here at home. The last three drives from Clemson's offense have been ugly.

SMU leads 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Honest take after one quarter: Could've been a lot worse. pic.twitter.com/fQNiii3Ypd

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

SMU hits a 51-yard FG to take a 10-0 lead with 11:26 left in Q2.

Clemson's offense with Christopher Vizzina at the helm has been underwhelming.

HUGE drive incoming. pic.twitter.com/d2haNJ2tmi

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

Sam Keltner knocks through a 51-yard field goal, which is a career long per the ACCN broadcast.

SMU 10, Clemson 0 11:26 to play before the half.

Do we get a look at Trent Pearman next drive?

Wesco with a huge drop there...man. Good to see the offense at least taking a few shots and pushing the ball against this SMU secondary.

CV to Moore!!! TD put six on the board.

Finally, throwing the ball vertically.

DRIVE: 6 plays, 75 yards, 02:35

SMU 10, Clemson 27

8:51 left in Q2

Touchdown Clemson.

Vizzina connects with TJ Moore for a 32-yard reception.

6 plays, 75 yard drive in 2:35. CV looked comfortable the entire drive and looked to be in command there -- best drive of the day offensively. Tigers back in it, trailing 10-7.

SMU converts on 3rd and 12 on the shovel pass to Harden. Nice play there making guys miss in space.

Another SMU FG makes it 13-7 with 4:29 left in Q2. Sam Keltner has hit from 51 and 48 yards.

Clemson is stuffed on 4th-and-1 and they give the ball back to SMU with 2:45 and counting in the half.

SMU stuffs Clemson's Industrial Fridge Package on 4th-and-1, and the Mustangs have a chance to extend their lead before half.

That doesn't make sense. You are down six with the backup and have played OVERLY conservative all day.

What are you doing? pic.twitter.com/eFMhGSuuTW

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

It's probably fitting that SMU has hit FGs from 51, 48, and 48 yards after what Hauser did to them last season.

Big drive incoming for Clemson with 1:09 left in Q2.

SMU 16, Clemson 7

Halftime: SMU 16, Clemson 7

Three field goals from Sam Keltner along with a 70-yard TD reception. Rhett Lashlee says QB Kevin Jennings is good to go in his halftime interview on the ACCN. Clemson's defense will be on the field to start the second half. Lot of work to do for Clemson's offense (147 total yards)

Clemson's defense holds on the opening series of the half. Tiger football with 13:04 left in Q3.

Let me recap that last offensive possession for you... pic.twitter.com/YDToHE66K2

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

Vertical Pass....TD. pic.twitter.com/WQhUUdXMJt

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

SMU 16, Clemson 14

Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 01:23

8:48 left in Q3

TJ Moore with his second touchdown of the day, and it's a big one. This one from 62 yards out.

Nice concentration to make the grab as well. New ball game in Clemson now as the Tigers trail by 2 at 16-14 with 8:48 to play in the third quarter.

SMU responds quickly with a 4 play, 75-yard drive capped by a speed option where the running back found a lane and raced to the endzone for a 35 yard TD.

SMU 23, Clemson 14, 7:29 3Q

So...complimentary football that was not.

Just when Clemson's offense needs the defense to get a stop, SMU goes 75 yards on 4 plays.

You cannot make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/k4y2OEtR33

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) October 18, 2025

Dabo Swinney has harped on complementary football being the biggest issue for this team...and today it's blatantly obvious.

The defense can't help the offense out when they need them.

SMU 29, Clemson 17
12:30 left in Q4

Clemson sends the house and gets burned. Jennings connects with Matthew Hibner for a 22-yard TD strike. XP is no good but SMU is up 29-17 with 12:30 to play in the contest.

So Clemson gets a free play and Tristan Smith brings it in for a TD on 4th-and-20.

SMU 29, Clemson 24
Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 03:27

6:44 left in Q4

Christopher Vizzina throws up a prayer on 4th and 20, SMU jumps in the neutral zone and Tristan Smith catches the jump ball for the score -- a 23-yard strike. We've got a ball game in Death Valley. Let's see if the defense can get another turnover.

SMU 29, Clemson 23 6:44 4Q