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UNC vs. Clemson: Tar Heels blown out by Tigers in their ACC Football opener
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- UNC vs. Clemson: Tar Heels blown out by Tigers in their ACC Football opener
The North Carolina Tar Heels returned home to Kenan Stadium Saturday for their ACC football opener, hosting the Clemson Tigers in a battle of struggling programs looking for their first, Power 4 victories.
UNC and Clemson entered today's contest with plenty of rest, as both teams enjoyed their first bye week to end September. North Carolina experienced mixed results in its first four games: beating Charlotte (20-3) and Richmond (41-6) comfortably, but struggling in big losses against TCU (48-14) and UCF (34-9).
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Clemson, considered a preseason ACC favorite, already lost to LSU , Georgia Tech and Syracuse. The Tigers lone win came against Troy, a Group of Five team with a 2-2 record.
When the clock struck zero, Clemson left Kenan Stadium with a dominant, 38-10 victory. The Tigers (2-3, 1-2 ACC) scored 35 points and gained nearly 400 yards in the first half alone, thanks to four Cade Klubnik touchdowns and a trick play from wide receiver Antonio Williams .
The Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 ACC) allowed big plays throughout the afternoon, including the 75-yard, trick-play touchdown pass from Williams on the game's first play from scrimmage. UNC's defense played better in the second half, but against Tiger reserves, allowing just three points.
North Carolina's offense continued to struggle , collecting just 270 yards and scoring one touchdown. Rece Verhoff continued the Tar Heels' first drive success, converting on a 35-yard field goal, but UNC didn't score a touchdown until Benjamin Hall 's 11-yard fourth quarter tally.
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North Carolina now enters its second bye week with plenty of questions, then travels to California for an October 17 matchup with the Golden Bears.
Final from Kenan Stadium
Clemson outplayed and overmatched the Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon, winning a 38-10 blowout decided by halftime.
The Tigers out-gained UNC in yardage, 488-270. Clemson established a passing attack that North Carolina didn't until late. The Tar Heels' defense allowed big plays on seemingly every drive.
Rece Verhoff and Benjamin Hall provided the Tar Heels with their lone points on the afternoon, thanks to an early field goal and late touchdown.
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UNC returns to Kenan on October 25, facing a Top-25 Virginia Cavaliers squad.
Finally...a TOUCHDOWN
With Saturday's result all-but-decided, North Carolina gave its fans something small to celebrate. UNC running back Benjamin Hall, a Michigan transfer, scored his first career touchdown on an 11-yard run – around the left side of his offensive line.
The Tar Heels trail Clemson, 38-10, with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter.
UNC holds Clemson to a field goal
The Tigers scored on their first drive of the fourth quarter, thanks to a 27-yard kick from Nolan Hauser . North Carolina's defense played better this drive, albeit against Clemson's backups.
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The Tar Heels trail, 38-3, with 13:20 left in today's game.
Turnover on downs
With a 35-3 deficit, the Tar Heels now are forced to go for it on fourth down. With 3:40 left in the third quarter, UNC tried its first conversion, but Max Johnson 's pass fell incomplete to Kobe Paysour short right.
There's now 3:41 left in the third quarter.
UNC first drive of the second half stalls.
The Tar Heels moved the football coming out of halftime, but failed to get points on the scoreboard. Rece Verhoff attempted a 50-yard field goal, which had the distance, but his kick went off the left upright.
UNC still trails Clemson, 35-3, this time with 7:57 left in the third quarter.
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UNC trails big at halftime
It's now halftime here from Kenan Stadium – and the Tar Heels trail Clemson, 35-3, after one of their most lackluster first-half performances in 2025.
North Carolina gained just 78 yards on 28 plays, with only 20 yards coming after their opening drive. UNC allowed the Tigers to collect 367 yards, the most UNC allowed to an opponent in the first half this year.
The Tar Heels' big deficit is preventing them from establishing their run game, which Demon June took over in recent weeks. UNC backs have just 12 yards on 10 carries.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik only has two incompletions, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Tigers wide receiver Antonio Williams completed a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.
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Kicker Rece Verhoff has North Carolina's lone points so far on the afternoon, with his 35-yard, first-quarter field goal providing the score.
Another drive, another Clemson touchdown
Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik is having his way with North Carolina's defense, completing his fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time to tight end Christian Bentancur for an 8-yard score.
UNC trails Clemson, 35-3, with just over two minutes remaining in the first half.
A sack sets the tone for another UNC three-and-out
After stopping Clemson on its penalty-filled, second-quarter drive, UNC suffered throughout another lackluster drive of its own. The Tar Heels lost three yards in three plays.
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Tom Maginness punted the ball just 31 yards – and Clemson will take over from North Carolina's 37-yard line. Tar Heels trail, 28-3, with 5:18 left in the first half.
UNC gets its FIRST stop of the day
Clemson committed countless penalties, but UNC got its first defensive stop of the day, limiting the Tigers to 23 yards on nine plays.
The Tar Heels will take over from their own 9-yard line with 6:59 left in the first half.
Clemson scores its FOURTH touchdown of the first quarter
With time winding down in the first quarter, Clemson decided it was time for a fourth touchdown. This time, Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik completes a 23-yard pass to running back Adam Randall out of the backfield.
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Clemson takes a 28-3 lead into the second quarter.
UNC offense hits a brick wall
Since marching 58 yards in 10 plays and scoring a field goal on its opening drive, UNC's offense is virtually non-existent, gaining just ONE yard on six plays
The Tar Heels just punted away on their third drive, after losing four yards in three plays.
Three drives, three touchdowns.
UNC drive stalls
The Tar Heels barely moved the football on their second drive, gaining five net yards on three players. Tom Maginness punted the football away – and Clemson will start from its own 43-yard line.
7:03 left in the first quarter.
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Ugly drive with big plays leads to Clemson's second touchdown
The Tigers wasted no time finding the end zone again, this time on a 35-yard touchdown pass. Cade Klubnik found starting running back Adam Randall on a swing pass out of the shotgun formation. Randall then took the football 35 yards down the UNC sideline, giving his team a two-possession lead.
Clemson marched 75 yards in just THREE plays. Tigers lead the Tar Heels, 14-3, with 8:54 left in the opening quarter.
UNC scores again on its first drive
The Tar Heels responded to Clemson's opening drive score, tallying one of their own. North Carolina drove 10 plays in 58 yards, finishing its first drive with a 35-yard Rece Verhoff field goal.
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That didn't take long.
UNC wins the opening coin toss
Today's captains
Jordan Shipp supporting his late teammate Tylee Craft
Bryce Baker will NOT be QB2 today.
Max Johnson in warm-ups
Gio Lopez is NOT dressed for today's matchup
UNC punter Tom Maginness looking solid in warmups
Tom Maginness, the Tar Heels' senior punter from Melbourne, Australia, looks solid in pre-game warmups. He just booted a 55-yard punt, kicking the ball from UNC's 10-yard line to the Clemson 35.
Tailgaters are out in full force
Max Johnson officially named Week 6 starter
After speculation throughout the week about starting quarterback Gio Lopez' availability against Clemson, ESPN confirmed that Max Johnson will be UNC's Week 6 starter.
Lopez, if available to play, will back up Johnson.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football vs. Clemson: Tar Heels fall flat in ACC opener
