Story by
Clemson football's offense is broken as injuries pile up, more overreactions vs Pitt
- Story by
- Clemson football's offense is broken as injuries pile up, more overreactions vs Pitt
This article has been updated to include new information.
PITTSBURGH — No. 16 Clemson football survived Pittsburgh on Saturday, winning 24-20 at Acrisure Stadium.
The No. 16 Tigers (8-2, 7-1 ACC) squandered a 10-point lead at halftime but overcame it behind quarterback Cade Klubnik 's clutch 50-yard touchdown run 1:16 remaining in the game. His score helped them overcome a disappointing second half offensively, where they could not generate points or yards.
Advertisement
Defensively, Clemson got a season-high eight sacks of the Panthers (7-3, 3-3) despite key players getting hurt or exiting the game. It held on with an interception by Khalil Barnes at the 2-yard line on the final play of the game to intercept a pass, which keeps the team's CFP and ACC title hopes alive.
Here are three overreactions from the Tigers ' last regular-season conference game:
Clemson football 's offensive line is crumbling, hurting offense production
The Tigers' offensive line became one of their strongest units this season through their collective experience and new offensive line coach Matt Luke's impact. The unit allowed only eight sacks through its first eight games.
Advertisement
Yet, during Clemson's past two games, it has given up nine sacks, including five Saturday. It also rushed for only 58 yards, including two yards in the first half, vs. Pitt. In the second half, Clemson generated 12 yards in the third quarter and stumbled in the fourth quarter, too, compiling only 15 yards until the final possession — a three-play, 20-second, 75-yard drive capped by Klubnik's 50-yard touchdown run
A key reason is the injuries that are hitting the group. Starters Marcus Tate and Tristan Leigh missed the Pitt game because of injuries; Tate did not play vs. Virginia Tech with an injury, and Leigh went out in the opening drive against the Hokies .
On Clemson's opening drive vs. Pitt, freshman Elyjah Thurmon , who started at left tackle in place of Leigh, got injured. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said after the game that Thurmon will miss the rest of the season. This caused Clemson to re-create its line on the fly with only center Ryan Linthicum remaining at the position at which he started the game. That caused the increased pressure and an offense that could not move the ball.
HOW THE GAME WENT: Clemson vs Pittsburgh live score updates, highlights, how to watch Week 12 game in ACC
Advertisement
Antonio Williams is Clemson's football best wide receiver in a while
The only thing going right for Clemson offensively was wide receiver Antonio Williams, who set a single-game career high in receptions (13) and receiving yards (149) on Saturday. He eclipsed his previous best of 84 yards in the first half after he recorded 113 on nine catches.
Williams sliced through Pitt's defense on multiple occasions and could have had three touchdowns, but Klubnik missed him on a deep throw. Williams added to his team-leading totals in receptions (53), receiving yards (617) and receiving touchdowns (8) to continue his stellar season.
Clemson football's pass rush saves best outing for final ACC game
The Tigers set a season high in sacks with eight vs. Pitt. Defensive lineman T.J. Parker led the way with four, including a crucial one late in the fourth quarter, and three other defenders recorded one apiece.
Advertisement
Clemson entered Saturday tied for the fifth fewest sacks in the ACC with 18. Swinney wanted this production last week vs. Virginia Tech, but the unit secured only one. Saturday's sack boom allowed the Tigers to dominate the line of scrimmage and disrupt Pitt's offense.
The Tigers were without their leading tackler, linebacker Wade Woodaz , because of injury and lost his backup, Sammy Brown , in the second quarter to a targeting penalt y.
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: Tigers overcome injuries to keep CFP hopes alive
