CLEMSON – There would be no slow start for Clemson this week. The Tigers came out firing on all cylinders, and on both sides of the ball, as Dabo Swinney’s team raced out to a 34-0 lead over Florida Atlantic at halftime.
Halftime Analysis
- Dabo Swinney has been looking for four quarters of complimentary football from his team and after slow starts in each of the first two weeks, and the Tigers started off hot in this one. Nate Wiggins returned an interception for a TD on FAU’s opening possession and the offense followed that up with a very efficient scoring drive on its first possession. Clemson did not punt for the first time until there were less than two minutes left in the half.
- Cade Klubnik looks to be really settling in. The sophomore QB went 5-for-5 for 59 yards on the Tigers’ first offensive series, culminating in a beautifully thrown 30-yard TD pass to Tyler Brown that put Clemson up two scores. Klubnik finished the half 13-of-16 for 148 yards with two TDs. He also added a rushing TD with 3:25 left in the second quarter.
- Wes Goodwin’s defense also played very well, holding the Owls to less than 100 yards of total offense and just 20 on the ground. The Tigers have been able to consistently put pressure on both FAU QBs, ocming up with two sacks.
- The Tigers knocked Owls’ starting QB Casey Thompson out of the game in the second quarter. He was replaced by Daniel Richardson and he has struggled, going just 3-for-7 with 17 yards.
- Freshman Khalil Barnes got his first start and made his mark quickly by registering a tackle for loss on the FAU opening possession. Later in the first quarter he recorded his first career interception. In the second quarter he ripped the ball out of an FAU WRs hands, but it was fumbled backwards out of bounds with the Owls retaining possession.
- True freshman Colin Sadler made his first career start at LT after redshirt sophomore Tristan Leigh started the first two games.
- Antonio Williams left the game with an injury after nabbing his second reception in the first quarter. He would return later in the second quarter. Williams and Jake Briningstool each had three catches in the half, tied for the team-high.
- Robert Gunn’s struggles continue. The kicker missed a PAT attempt that he pushed wide right, then followed that up by missing a 31-yd FG attempt wide left.
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