What did the Orange & White Spring Game actually tell us about Clemson on Saturday?

To be honest, nothing.

I know some of you out there want to tell me how bad Cade Klubnik looked, and the offensive line still looks awful and etc., etc. I get that and some of that is perhaps true.

However, not all of that is accurate.

Klubnik finished the afternoon 13 of 26 for 158 yards. His stats say he did not throw a touchdown and he had one interception. However, he did throw a touchdown.

His 18-yard completion to Peyton Streko was called down at the one. However, replay and my brother’s photo, show Streko got into the end zone, and it should have been a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Clemson running back Peyton Streko hits the pilon in the right side of the end zone for what looked like a touchdown in Saturday’s Orange & White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson. The referee ruled Streko went out of bounds at the one-yard line. He scored on the next play. (photo by Kevin Vandervort)

My point. Klubnik did not look as bad as some of you think.

Yes, he did make a bonehead throw or two, but he did do a lot of good things. For instance, you could tell he has worked on his pocket presence. He felt the pressure better. He stepped up in the pocket and looked more decisive with the football.

If you don’t believe me, last year, he was tagged down four times for sacks. This year, he was tagged down just twice. That is improvement.

Also consider this, with the exception of wide receivers Adam Randall, Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco, Klubnik was not playing with all of his weapons. That does make a difference.

It also makes a difference in how the offense looks in general. Running back Phil Mafah, tight end Jake Briningstool, wide receivers Tyler Brown, Troy Stellato and Nolan Turner were held out of the game. That makes a huge difference when trying to evaluate.

As for the offensive line, there is no unit that needs to work together as one in any sport than the offensive line. Just one guy missing up front can knock even the best offensive lines out of whack.

Center Ryan Linthicum getting knocked out of the game with a lower leg injury in the first quarter caused some of those problems, as did the different pairings offensive line coach Matt Luke played together throughout the game on both sides.

Yes, that was not a problem for the defensive line. However, understand that a defensive lineman is reacting to what the offensive line is doing. So, if an offensive lineman is having a bust or steps the wrong way, which happened often on Saturday, a defensive lineman, especially any of Clemson’s, is going to make a play.

But enough with the negatives. There were a lot of positives to come out of the Orange & White Game too. Wesco’s first-quarter touchdown was exactly what all of us were looking for from the young freshman.

Adam Randall showed off his big-play potential, and it was obvious how much Clemson missed Antonio Williams and his play making skills last year.

Clemson ran a very basic offense, but the defense looked good, nonetheless. Freshman linebacker Sammy Brown lived up to the hype, as he tied for the team lead with eight tackles.

Fellow linebackers Jamal Anderson and Kobie McCloud flashed their talents, especially Anderson who returned one interception for a touchdown and had caught a second interception that was negated by a penalty.

The secondary had playmakers flying around everywhere. Freshman corner Tavoy Feagin had a 44-yard interception return and blew up a screen pass early in the game.

Up front, DeMonte Capehart could not be blocked, again, while Jahiem Lawson, had himself a day with two tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception.

Though Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says the kicking situation is still up in the air, freshman kicker Nolan Hauser looked go going 2-for-2 with 29- and 48-yard kicks.

Don’t get me wrong, the Tigers have a lot to improve on before their Aug. 31 season-opener against Georgia in Atlanta. But don’t think everything you see in the spring game is what it is.

Once the season begins, it will not take long to show us what kind of team the Tigers have in 2024.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!