During a recent appearance on ACC Network’s ACC PM show, ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg weighed in on the surging Clemson football team and its offense that has been highly potent ever since sputtering out of the gate in Week 1.
After scoring just three points in the season-opening loss to Georgia, the Tigers (6-1, 5-0 ACC) have averaged 48.5 points per game during their current six-game winning streak.
Led by junior quarterback Cade Klubnik – who has accounted for 24 total touchdowns with only two interceptions since the Georgia game — Clemson has produced five 40-point games in the first seven games of a season for the third time in school history (five in both 2019 and 2020).
“I think all the nice things that are justifiably being said about Clemson’s offense should come with that qualifier, that they have not faced elite-level teams here during this surge, since the Georgia game,” Rittenberg said. “But I think there are some tangible things to get excited about. Dabo was saying, obviously Cade Klubnik, the way that he is performing from a decision-making standpoint, a confidence standpoint. That has been different.”
Entering Week 10, Clemson is second in the ACC and fourth nationally in scoring offense (42 points per game), while the Tigers are second in the ACC and fifth nationally in total offense (490.4 yards per game).
Clemson has recorded five 500-yard games in the first seven games of a season for the first time in school history, and the Tigers have averaged 6.5 or more yards per play in six straight games for the first time on record.
A key component of Clemson’s offensive success, as Rittenberg noted, is the offensive line that has helped the Tigers rush for 150 yards in six straight games for the first time since a 12-game stretch across the 2019-20 seasons.
“The offensive line under Matt Luke, (Swinney) really gave them a lot of credit, bringing guys back from last year, staying healthy, playing with a lot more connectivity on that offensive line,” Rittenberg said.
Along with Klubnik’s play and the O-line/rushing attack, the resurgence of the Tigers’ receiving corps has been crucial to their explosive, high-powered offense.
Redshirt sophomore wideout Antonio Williams has led the way this season after being limited by various injuries to only four games in the regular season last year. Healthy again, Williams has hauled in 28 passes for a team-high 393 yards and team-leading five touchdown receptions through seven games.
“Antonio Williams, who Swinney said, he is our best player. It’s been a while since we’ve been buzzing about a Clemson wide receiver,” Rittenberg said. “That used to be an annual occurrence, usually two or three guys who we’d be talking about from a national standpoint. It’s been a lull. That might be changing now with Williams and some of those other wide receivers.
“So, Garrett Riley has a lot more at his disposal in terms of how to attack defenses. But it certainly starts with the quarterback, who is physically stronger and mentally stronger coming off of last year.”
Klubnik, Williams and Riley’s offense will try to keep rolling this Saturday when 11th-ranked Clemson takes on Louisville (5-3, 3-2 ACC) at Death Valley (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
