Clemson’s offense came out swinging in today’s game at North Carolina.

The Tigers enjoyed an offensive explosion in Chapel Hill, scoring touchdowns on each of their first four possessions en route to a 28-3 lead before the second quarter even started. Clemson added another touchdown in the second quarter and led, 35-3, at halftime.

Per Clemson Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communications, Ross Taylor, Clemson’s 28-point quarter was its first since a 28-point second quarter at Wake Forest last season and its first 28-point opening frame since a 28-point first quarter vs. NC State last season.

On the first play from scrimmage, Clemson ran a trick play, and it worked to perfection. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw a screen pass to wide receiver Antonio Williams, and he threw a strike down the sideline to fellow wide receiver T.J. Moore for a 75-yard touchdown that gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead just 11 seconds into the game.

According to Taylor, the touchdown pass from Williams to Moore marked the first time Clemson scored on its opening offensive play of a game since the 2018 ACC Championship Game (Travis Etienne, 75-yard rush TD vs. Pitt).

The Tigers never looked back after that opening score against the Tar Heels and finished the first half having amassed 367 total yards and 14 first downs. Clemson averaged 10.2 yards per play.

Clemson’s 35 points scored are already a season high. Klubnik went 21-of-23 passing for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. 10 different players recorded a reception.  

This is certainly a get-right game for Clemson and an offense that entered the game averaging 365.3 yards per game (87th in FBS), 249 passing yards per game (55th), 116.3 rushing yards per game (112th) and 19.8 points per game (116th).