CLEMSON — Through a lightning delay and two horrible quarters to open the game, No. 8 Clemson shook off its hangover from last week’s loss to LSU and rallied to beat Troy, 27-16, Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

At one point, the Tigers (1-1) trailed Troy 16-0 following a 4-yard interception return by defensive lineman T.J. Thompson with 6:58 to play in the second quarter.

However, Clemson scored 17-third quarter points to gain control of the game and did not look back.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 7 of 8 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the second half, while running back Adam Randall ran for most of his 112 yards in the second stanza. He also had a second half touchdown in the third quarter.

The Clemson defense did its part in the second half, too. The Tigers forced back-to-back interceptions, which led to 10 points and held the Trojans to 97 total yards. The defense also had three sacks in the second half.

Klubnik finished the game 18 of 24 for 196 yards, 2 TDs and one interception, while wide receiver Bryant Wesco caught seven passes for 118 yards and 2 TDs. His touchdowns came on throws of 26 yards and 34 yards in the second half.

The 26-yard Klubnik-to-Wesco TD gave the Tigers a 17-16 lead with 10:07 to go in third, which turned out to be the game-winner. Randall scored on a 1-yard run for the Tigers at the 11:05 mark of the third, which capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive to open the half.

Randall ran for 59 yards on five carries to open the third quarter, including a 37-yard run. Clemson ran for 103 yards in the second half.

Horrible start

What could go wrong did go wrong for Clemson in the first half.

Troy (1-1) completed a 44-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession of the game. 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 Klubnik had a pass deflected deep in Clemson territory, intercepted and returned 4 yards for 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.

Clemson was in jeopardy of starting 0-2 for the first time since 1974.

Injuries

Clemson was without wide receiver Antonio Williams (hamstring), safety Khalil Barnes (hamstring) and left tackle Tristan Leigh (foot). Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said right guard Walker Parks got a couple of snaps tonight.

Up next

Clemson will hit the road for the first time next Saturday, when it travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.