The Clemson Insider

Clemson Kicks Tar out of Heels

By: Will Vandervort October 4, 2025

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Clemson’s offense was stagnant for the first month of the season. But it needed just one quarter on Saturday to end all that pinned up frustration.

The Tigers scored more points (28) in the first quarter against North Carolina than it had in any game through the month of September, as Clemson steamrolled the Tar Heels 38-10 at Kenan Stadium.

Clemson (2-3, 1-2 ACC) scored a touchdown the first four times it touched the ball, including a 75-yard Antonio Williams to T.J. Moore TD pass on the first play of the game. The trick play set the stage for what was easily the best game of the season for the Tigers, especially on offense.

The Tigers finished the first half with 35 points and 367 total yards, including 326 passing yards. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 21 of 23 passes for 251 yards and 4 TDs. He tossed two touchdowns to tight end Christian Bentancur and two to running back Adam Randall, as they led 35-3 at the break.

Cade Klubnik is only the second quarterback at the college or NFL level ever to throw four touchdown passes in a single half against a team led by Bill Belichick as a head coach. Patrick Mahomes threw four second-half touchdowns against Belichick’s Patriots on Oct. 14, 2018.
— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) October 4, 2025

Clemson averaged 10.2 yards per play in the first half. Things cooled off in the second quarter for the offense, but the damage was done.

Klubnik hit Bentancur for touchdowns of 45 and 8 yards, while Randall hauled in a 35-yard toss and a 23-yard pass.

Defense played well, too

While the offense was doing its thing in the first half, the defense played well too. After giving up a field goal on the first drive, the Tigers held the Tar Heels to minus-5 yards on the next four possessions, including four three-and-outs. The Tar Heels had just 21 total yards in the second quarter.

UNC (2-3, 0-1 ACC) had 78 total yards in the first half, including just 12 on the ground.

Perfect passer

Thanks to his 75-yard TD pass to Moore on the first play of the game, Williams is now 4-for-4 for 143 yards and 2 TDs in his career as a passer.

Beating greatness and then some

Clemson has played against two legendary NFL coaches in its history, and the Tigers have owned both of them.

In 1990, Clemson opened the season against Long Beach State, who was being coached by former Washington Redskins coach George Allen, who is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Tigers beat Allen 59-0 that afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Clemson.

On Saturday, Clemson took it to UNC coach Bill Belichick, who owns six Super Bowl Championships as the former head coach of the New England Patriots.

In two games against these legends, the Tigers are 2-0 and have outscored them 97-10.

Injuries

Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell suffered a shoulder injury early in the first quarter. However, he returned.

The Tigers did play without offensive guard Elyjah Thurmon, who was ruled out for Saturday’s game.

Up Next

Clemson will stay on the road next Saturday where it will take on Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (ACCN).

Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore darts into the end zone on a 75-yard TD pass from Antonio Williams to start the game Saturday, as Clemson cruised to an easy victory Saturday, October 3, 2025 at Keenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)