PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Clemson’s 24-20 win over Pitt on Saturday was littered with some good and some bad.

In fact, much like the 20th ranked Tigers win at Virginia Tech last weekend, it more like a tale of two halves.

Clemson took a 17-7 lead into halftime and despite sputtering through the third quarter, when the offense managed just 12 total yards, the Tigers still took that 10-point lead into the final quarter.

Pitt would then score 13 unanswered points, taking a 20-17 lead on a 47-yard field goal with just under two minutes to play. With one final possession to win it, Cade Klubnik and the Tigers would make the most of it.

Starting on their own 25 with 1:36 left, Klubnik would connect with Antonio Williams for an 18-yard gain. Jake Briningstool would then haul in a 7-yard reception, setting up a 2nd and 3 at midfield. Klubnik would then scamper 50-yards on a quarterback keeper for what would ultimately be the game-winning touchdown.

However, after the ensuing kickoff, Pitt still had 1:16 of game clock to work with. The Panthers would quickly march to the Clemson 26 and facing a 4th and 1 with four seconds left, Pitt had one final shot to win it.

Khalil Barnes would come down with a Nate Yarnell pass, sealing the win for Clemson. It was the sophomore’s second pick of the season.

“Kind of free cheese, it felt like,” Barnes said about the play after the win.

Make no mistake, Clemson’s defense earned this one. While the unit did have a season-high eight sacks, injuries had started to mount in the second half. Wade Woodaz and DeMonte Capehart both missed the game with injuries. Sammy Brown was ejected late in the first half for targeting, leaving Clemson paper-thin at linebacker. Then, R.J. Mickens left injured in the fourth quarter.

With the offense failing to gain any traction after the half, the defense was on the field right at 20 minutes in the second half. Due to some of those depth issues, that led to some players starting to show real signs of fatigue.

“We got no excuses,” Barnes said. “If I go down we got eight other guys on scholarship that can get the job done. So we don’t got no excuses when it comes to anybody getting hurt, injuries and stuff.”

“We’ve been had it the whole season, but we just woke up and the light started blinking and we are in our bag now.”

While the pass defense was solid over the first two quarters, Yarnell started finding some soft spots in the second half, throwing for 239 yards in the third and fourth quarters combined.

Although, in some of the most crucial moments the Tigers’ pass rush would get home, in turn helping out the pass defense.

“It means a lot,” Barnes said of the pass rush. “In game like this, the quarterback may not be that much of a scrambler. We call it a statue. Our D-line is able to get back there and get pressure and we don’t got to cover and do our job as long. It also sucks when they are getting pressure and they are a second away from a sack and we give it up. It’s complimentary but we definitely felt their presence today.”

Through it all, the Tigers kept the faith. When the offense got the ball back, the players on the sidelines watching were fully confident they were going to go down the field and win the game.

While their was some celebrating after it was over, it didn’t take long for the focus to turn towards next week and trying to finish out on a high note.

“We just kind of kept the faith,” Barnes said. “Honestly, it was a celebration, played a little music, but then when Swinney started talking, coach Wes (Goodwin) came over there with the defense and we just started talking about how we want to finish the season.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!