CLEMSON – In some of the biggest moments of the regular season, the Clemson offense has failed to deliver.

It was seen in the season-opening loss to Georgia when the offense mustered just three points. It was seen again in the loss to Louisville as the unit sputtered for much of the night.

Then on Saturday afternoon, in front of a capacity crowd in Death Valley, the Tigers’ offense again couldn’t produce when it was needed most. After taking a 14-7 lead on the opening possession of the second half and the Gamecocks only possessing the ball twice in the third quarter, Clemson had ample opportunity to go up two scores. One score likely is enough to win the game for all intents and purposes.

On one of those two third-quarter possessions by South Carolina, the Tigers’ defense even forced a fumble, yet instead of putting their foot on South Carolina’s throat, the Tigers fumbled it right back after an offensive lineman stepped on the foot of Cade Klubnik, causing him to fall to the ground while trying to pitch the ball to Phil Mafah on what was supposed to be a type of reverse.

In all, Clemson had the ball four times in the second half after taking that 14-7 lead. Outside of the fumble, the other three possessions resulted in punts, and two of those were three and outs.

The fourth quarter was even worse. After South Carolina had kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 14-10 with 6:48 to play, the Tigers recovered an onside kick. Two plays later, facing a 3rd and 6 from their own 48-yard line, Clemson had its chance. Bryant Wesco was open on a slant route, but Klubnik’s pass was just off-target, missing the freshman wideout’s outstretched hands by inches. If that ball is on target, Wesco is off to the races. There was nothing but green grass behind him and no one in that secondary was catching him.

“Games like that usually come down to a couple of plays and that’s what happened and they made the couple of plays,” head coach Dabo Swinney said after the loss. “But we had every opportunity.”

When LaNorris Sellers scored what would be the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining, Clemson had managed just 22 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter.

Clemson did put together a 57-yard drive on its final possession, far more yards than the 12 it had accumulated in the previous two fourth quarter possessions. However, facing a 2nd and 10 at the South Carolina 15-yard line, and with a chance to win it, Cade Klubnik inexplicably targeted Phil Mafah on a checkdown. The pass was off the mark and went off the running back’s hands right into the hands of a Gamecocks’ defender.

“We never trailed in the game until 1:08 (left),” Swinney said. “And we go right down the field and we just make one mistake right there.”

While there is no denying this offense has shown great signs of growth this season, there is still another step to take. On Saturday, it gets one final shot in the ACC Championship Game against SMU and with a spot to the College Football Playoff on the line.

The Mustangs come in with one of the most prolific offenses in the ACC, maybe even the entire country. SMU is averaging right at 40 points per game, with an offense averaging 442 yards per contest.

The Mustangs will also bring a defense that allows just 326 yards on average and less than 100 rushing yards per game, meaning this Clemson offense will once again be put to the test in a high-stakes affair in Charlotte.

“We had a range of emotions with a disappointing rivalry game loss,” Swinney said. “But you got to play them all out and you count them all up at the end. We are super-excited to be back in this conference championship game for the 10th time in 16 years. And we earned it. We play eight games and we went 7-1. It should be a heck of a game.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!