CLEMSON — Clemson’s passing offense still hasn’t gotten off the ground, but the Tigers will still take a 34-0 lead over Charleston Southern into halftime.

Tait Reynolds is 12-of-20 but for just 94 yards through the first two quarters, and none of the team’s touchdowns have come through the air, although not from a lack of trying. The offense had been dead set on trying to get T.J. Moore the ball in the end zone. The junior wideout has already been targeted six times in the end zone, but has yet to register a reception.

The ground game has come a little easier, with Gideon Davidson rushing for 46 yards and a score, with Chris Johnson Jr. adding two scores via his legs. Those were his first two touchdowns of the season. Reynolds has 31 yards on the ground.

The Tigers have rushed for more than 100 yards already.

Help Your Quarterback

Twice on Clemson’s opening drive, freshman signal caller Tait Reynolds dropped well-placed balls into the hands of TJ Moore. Both would fall to the ground, and both took place inside the end zone.

This is an offense that has struggled creating explosives in the passing game. Reynolds had just one passing touchdown all season coming into this one. Your veteran wideout has to do his part in getting the passing game going.

The Tigers would ultimately settle for a 41-yard Nolan Hauser field goal.

Moore had another touchdown opportunity early in the second quarter and was also unable to come down with that one. To be fair, that one was more contested than the first two, but Moore is the level of receiver that needs to be making some of those kinds of plays.

Reynolds targeted him in the end zone three more times after that, with Moore drawing a holding call on one.

D Holding Up

Charleston Southern has just 70 yards of offense and has rushed for just 20 yards. The Bucs have run just 22 plays and are 0-for-4 on third down.

Kourtney Kelly Debut

Kelly made his long-awaited debut on the second defensive series. The transfer defensive tackle notched his first tackle on his third snap.

Kelly, who was expected to compete for a starting role, tore an ACL early in the spring.

He has only played minimal snaps, but it is a good start.

Return of Haynes

Haynes also made his first appearance of the season late in the first quarter. In fact, Haynes has not played since tearing an ACL in December of 2024. He’s had a long road back, having faced multiple setbacks. If he can have some good fortune on the injury front, he can provide some quality depth over the back half of the season, something this team will need with David Eziomume out for the season.

Haynes has three carries for 12 yards.

Starr In Making

Donovan Starr got the start in place of the injured Corian Gipson and was mostly solid over the first two quarters. The Auburn transfer is going to be leaned on heavily with Gipson out for the season. He has a tackle and a pass breakup in the first half.

Another Special Teams TD

Clemson had another special teams touchdown with just over five minutes left in the half. With the Tigers kicking off after going up 24-0, CJ Kubah-Taylor caused a fumble that Kylon Griffin picked up and returned for a score.

Hauser Bomb

Hauser knocked down a 59-yard field goal late in the half, setting a career-high and missing the school record by just two yards. He is now 14-of-15 on the season.