Clemson Handles App State in the Home Opener, 66-20
CLEMSON, S.C. - Quarterback Cade Klubnik connected with freshman Bryant Wesco for a 76-yard touchdown on the third offensive play of the game, and the 22nd-ranked Tigers (1-1) never looked back, scoring touchdowns on each of its first eight possessions en route to a 66-20 win over Appalachian State (1-1) at a sold-out Memorial Stadium. Klubnik accounted for seven first-half touchdowns — five through the air and two on the ground — in leading Clemson to a program-record 525 yards of total offense and 56 points in the first half.
According to ESPN, Klubnik is the first FBS player with five passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and a 90% completion rate in the last 25 years.
Klubnik completed 24-of-26 passes for 378 yards, throwing touchdowns of 76, 41, 29, 33 and 17 yards in the first half, and both of his rushing attempts went for touchdowns. The Tigers finished with 712 yards of offense for the game, the sixth-most in school history and averaged 9.8 yards per play. Running back Phil Mafah had 10 carries for 118 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown scamper on his fourth carry of the game and both Wesco (130) and tight end Jake Briningstool (100) hit the 100-yard milestone receiving.
Freshman linebacker Sammy Brown’s nine tackles led the team, and the Tigers broke up 10 passes and recorded five tackles for loss.
Wesco’s deep post on third down in the game’s opening possession marked Clemson’s first touchdown of the season in Death Valley and Wesco’s first for the Tigers, and the longest touchdown reception by a freshman since Tee Higgins’s 78-yarder in 2017. The duo did not stop there - on the next possession, Klubnik connected with Wesco for a 52-yard completion setting up Klubnik for a one-yard rushing touchdown, increasing the lead to 14-0.
After another defensive stop, Mafah upped the lead to 21-0 on his 83-yard rush. Klubnik started and ended the next drive with tight-end Jake Briningstoo connecting on a 41-yard touchdown pass to give Clemson a 28-0 advantage.
With just over a minute remaining in the first quarter, Antonio Williams drew a pass interference flag, and Klubnik went back to him on the next play for a 29-yard score, propelling the Tigers to a 35-0 lead at the end of the quarter, setting a program record for most points in a first quarter and tying the school record for the most points in any quarter.
After a Williams 25-yard punt return to the App State 30-yard-line, Klubnik led a 5-play drive and scored on a three-yard rushing touchdown up the middle to put Clemson up 42-0 just 2:02 into the second quarter.
Appalachian State responded on their next drive, securing their first points of the game with a 4-yard touchdown run by Anderson Castle.
On the next drive, Klubnik then connected with true freshman T.J. Moore for a 33-yard touchdown. Moore’s first career touchdown for the Tigers capped a nine-play, 71-yard drive and put Clemson up 49-7. The Mountaineers later responded with a 36-yard field goal by Michael Hughes with 3:28 remaining in the first half.
With just 54 seconds left in the half, Briningstool secured his second touchdown of the game with a 17-yard score from Klubnik, capping a nine-play, 75-yard drive, Clemson’s fifth touchdown drive of 70 or more yards in the half. The Mountaineers answered with a seven-play drive and a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the half, with the Tigers holding a 56-13 at halftime.
The Mountaineers opened up scoring on the first drive of the second half when Joey Anguilar completed a 17-yard pass to Makai Jackson.
Following a scoreless drive by the Tigers, Stephiylan Green recorded the first sack of the game and first of his career on a third down attempt by the Mountaineers, holding them on their own 29.
Christopher Vizzina took over at quarterback to start the second half, and after penalties halted his first drive, he led the Tigers on a seven-play scoring drive, rushing in from five yards out for his first career touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Peter Nearn recovered an App State fumble, setting Clemson back up on the Mountaineers’ 20 and Nolan Hauser capped the series with a 36-yard field goal. With 1:51 left in the third quarter, the Tigers were up 66-20.
A pair of interceptions by Ricardo Jones and Levi Matthews highlighted the fourth quarter and helped finalize the Clemson win.
Clemson is off next week for one of two scheduled open dates for the 2024 regular season. The Tigers will return to action in Death Valley on Saturday, Sept. 21 against NC State and on Saturday, Sept. 28 for Homecoming against Stanford.