Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Phil Mafah rushed for 154 yards, leading No. 15 Clemson to a commanding 29-13 win over Florida State on Saturday night. The Tigers jumped to an early lead and controlled the game throughout, securing their first road win of 2024.
Klubnik completed 19 of 33 passes, including a 57-yard touchdown to Antonio Williams and a 23-yard strike to T.J. Moore, as Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) built a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Klubnik also used his legs effectively, rushing for 62 yards on 11 carries. His leadership and playmaking ability have been pivotal for the Tigers, with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney praising his quarterback’s gritty performance.
“I thought Cade played great,” Swinney said. “He’s been a difference maker with his recognition and playmaking. He’s showing more confidence and making big plays when we need them.”
Klubnik, now with 14 touchdown passes in five games, felt good about the win but acknowledged there’s room for improvement. “I’m proud of the guys,” Klubnik said. “But I still feel like we left some points on the field. We played an A-minus, B-plus game, and still managed 500 yards of offense.”
Phil Mafah, who ran for 154 yards on 20 carries, was instrumental in Clemson’s rushing attack, which totaled 265 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. The Tigers’ dominance on the ground and control of the line of scrimmage proved decisive in the game.
The victory also marked a historic milestone for Swinney, who earned his 174th win at Clemson, surpassing Bobby Bowden for the most victories by a coach at an ACC school. “It’s a blessing,” Swinney said. “I think coach Bowden is probably smiling down. Records are meant to be broken, and I’m honored, but it’s not something I ever set out to achieve.”
Clemson’s defense stifled Florida State’s offense, particularly their run game, as the Seminoles managed only 22 rushing yards on 23 carries. Redshirt freshman quarterback Brock Glenn, making his third career start, threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns, but Florida State (1-5, 1-4 ACC) struggled to establish any offensive balance.
Despite the loss, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was encouraged by Glenn’s resilience. “He showed toughness throughout the game,” Norvell said. “He made some good plays, and I appreciated his energy.”
QB Friendship
After the game, Klubnik caught up with Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who transferred from Clemson to Oregon State after the 2022 season. While Uiagalelei did not play on Saturday due to injury, the two shared a moment of camaraderie. “We text every once in a while,” Klubnik said. “I told him I was praying for his recovery and thankful for the time we spent as teammates.”
Poll Implications
With several top 10 teams losing over the weekend, Clemson is likely to climb the rankings, bolstered by this dominant win and their improving form.
Takeaways:
– Clemson: The Tigers’ offense clicked on all cylinders, amassing 500 yards and controlling the line of scrimmage for large portions of the game. Their balanced attack and solid defense made the difference.
– Florida State: The Seminoles’ lack of a rushing game hurt their ability to support their redshirt freshman quarterback. Without balance on offense, they struggled to challenge Clemson’s defense.
