With Clemson headed out west to face California, the Tigers got a useful bit of good news just before kickoff: Christopher Vizzina is available to play.
Vizzina had been listed as “probable” all week, and his name disappeared from Friday’s ACC injury report, which is released two hours before every conference game. That means the senior quarterback is cleared to suit up against the Golden Bears.
It does not, however, change the starting assignment. True freshman Tait Reynolds will make his second start of the season and his first on the road after helping Clemson beat North Carolina in its first ACC game of the year.
Still, Vizzina’s availability gives Dabo Swinney another option on the sideline. The quarterback who opened the season as Clemson’s starter is back in the mix if the Tigers need him.
Vizzina was hurt on the third drive of the home opener against Georgia Southern, when he injured his non-throwing elbow and said it “felt numb” for the rest of the game. That injury pushed Reynolds into action for the rest of the win over the Eagles, then into his first start last weekend against the Tar Heels.
Reynolds had some early growing pains in that debut, but he settled in and finished with 215 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Christian Bentancur. Clemson could see his confidence build as the game wore on.
Now the Arizona native gets another test in a late kickoff at Cal, where the Golden Bears also enter ACC play coming off a win.
Vizzina’s numbers this season have been modest: 102 passing yards, one passing touchdown and two interceptions in two starts. If Reynolds runs into trouble, Clemson knows the veteran can be called upon.
He proved that last season against SMU, when he threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns.
For now, the Tigers still belong to Reynolds. But Vizzina being back available gives Clemson more depth and keeps the quarterback competition alive as Swinney looks to manage the position moving forward.
Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN.
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Clemsons recent offensive unevenness has put the spotlight squarely on the quarterback spot, and true freshman Tait Reynolds has stepped into the conversation at a time when the Tigers need clarity. After earning the starting job, Reynolds showed progress in his first start, giving the staff a glimpse of what he might bring as the season moves along and the offense looks for more stability under Dabo Swinney.
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