CLEMSON — Like in almost every instance when it comes to a struggling offense, the blame falls on the shoulders of the starting quarterback.

When it comes to why Clemson has just two touchdown passes this season, some of the blame does fall on quarterback Tait Reynolds. However, if you think all of it is the freshman’s fault, then you just do not understand football.

Dabo Swinney spent the majority of his press conference defending his young quarterback and his comments from this past weekend, when he said the Charleston Southern game was Reynolds best game of the season.

The freshman finished the afternoon 17 of 26 for 127 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for 40 yards on seven carries, though he did fumble once, a fumble he was able to jump back on top of.

Granted those numbers do not look great, but he did not play bad, especially as bad as some try to describe. And he is not the reason Clemson failed to throw a touchdown pass for a third consecutive game.

Clemson’s wide receivers, especially T.J. Moore, did not particularly have a good game against a Charleston Southern team where he should have had more success.

Swinney reported on Sunday evening that Moore dropped three potential touchdown passes, while he also credited Bryant Wesco with a drop as well in the end zone. Add to the fact that Moore, Wesco and even Tyler Brown, who has played really well for the most part this season, have all dropped potential touchdown passes.

“You got to make the plays that are there,” Swinney said. “I think (Wesco) did a good job for the most part, but obviously TJ probably had his worst game as a Tiger.”

Moore caught just two passes for nine yards on six targets in the CSU game. Though he drew a couple of pass interference calls, he struggled to muscle his way to the ball on several well-placed jump balls Reynolds threw.

“It’s probably the worst game he’s had since he’s been here,” Swinney said of Moore on Tuesday. “It’s really disappointing, but you know, he’ll bounce back. He’ll respond. He’s had a lot of great games and he’ll have more. No pun intended.”

On the season, Moore has 27 receptions for 244 yards and the lone touchdown from a Clemson receiver. And, to be fair, Moore was open on a skinny post in the second quarter that Reynolds did not see.

However, Reynolds played well overall against the Buccaneers, and he should have some opportunities this Saturday against a Virginia Tech defense that’s susceptible to giving up big plays.

The question is can the offensive line give Reynolds enough time to throw the ball? Does Reynolds make the right read, and will the wide receivers catch it?