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Cade Klubnik can lead Clemson to ACC championship, more overreactions vs App State
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- Cade Klubnik can lead Clemson to ACC championship, more overreactions vs App State
CLEMSON — No. 22 Clemson football blew out Appalachian State 66-20 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers set a program record for points scored and yards gained in a half . They put up 56 points and secured 525 total yards to lead by 43 at halftime. They also scored the most points in a first quarter with 35. It was a strong showing from Clemson after failing to reach the end zone against Georgia last week.
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Here are three overreactions from Clemson's first win of the season:
Clemson football 's Cade Klubnik can lead Tigers to ACC championship
Quarterback Cade Klubnik played only in the first half after he went 24-for-26 passing for 378 yards with seven total touchdowns (five passing, two rushing). He set a career high for passing yards and passing touchdowns as he found tight end Jake Bringingstool twice and wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. , Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore each.
Klubnik showed what this offense can be when he is at his best. Clemson got its playmakers involved early and often, hit on explosive plays and limited costly penalties. Although they faced a lesser opponent, the Tigers' performance showed this offense has changed even if could not display it against No. 1 Georgia's defense.
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Considering how unsteady the rest of the ACC is, Clemson can make its way to the conference championship. The offense won't shatter records every game, but if it continues a version of this play throughout the season, it can make it to Charlotte.
MORE: How Clemson football put together its record-breaking game vs App State
Clemson football's defense isn't the same without Peter Woods
The Tigers held App State scoreless while the versatile defensive lineman was in the game. However, as soon as he departed with an injury , they allowed their first touchdown. The Mountaineers went on to score points on three of their next four drives, including one touchdown and two field goals, with the star player on the sidelines.
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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney knows how critical Woods is to the team, even checking on him while he was in the medical tent. If he has to miss time, it will be a huge loss on the defensive line that faces conference foe NC State in its next game Sept. 21.
Why isn't Clemson football's Tyler Brown involved more?
After not getting a catch until the third quarter against Georgia last week, Brown finished with one catch for -2 yards against App State. It was his only target, and it came on the first play of the game. Brown rolled his ankle in the game and didn't reenter it, but he was the only starting receiver who didn't have an impact in Saturday's game.
Brown led Clemson in receiving yards and receptions last year, but he has not gotten involved in the offense through the first two games this season. It appears to be a good problem to have as other skill position players shined, but it is a real question to ask as Clemson enters the open week.
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Cade Klubnik lifts offense vs App State
