CLEMSON — What could go wrong did go wrong for No. 8 Clemson in the first half Saturday against Troy at Memorial Stadium.

Troy completed a 44-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession. The Tigers followed with a three-and-out on its first possession. Then there was a lengthy lightning delay.

Then Clemson running back Adam Randall fumbled which was recovered and returned 53 yards to the Tigers’ 32-yard line by the Trojans. That led to a field goal before Cade Klubnik had a pass deflected deep in Clemson territory, intercepted and returned 4 yards a TD.

Even when Clemson had something go right, it went wrong. Klubnik appeared to have thrown a 3-yard TD pass to Tristan Smith late in the second quarter. However, Smith’s knee was called down at the 8-yard line and the TD was called back. Clemson settled for a 25-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser and trailed Troy 16-3 at the break.

The first half was embarrassing for many reasons. The Tigers were outgained 206 to 114, including a 62-17 advantage on the ground.

The offensive line play was horrible, and got no push the entire half. They allowed two passes to get deflected. T.J Moore continued his issues with two more dropped passes.

The defense played well, until the last drive of the second quarter, as they allowed the Trojans to rush for 55 yards and run out the last 4:11.

The Tigers were 2-for-8 on third down and averaged just 4.2 yards per play.

If things hold, Clemson is in jeopardy of losing to a Group of 5 opponent for the first time since losing to Marshall to start the 1999 season. The Tigers are also in jeopardy of starting a season 0-2 for the first time since 1974.

This would also mark the first time a Clemson team has lost to a Sunbelt Conference team. The Tigers are 12-0 all-time against the Sunbelt coming into the game.