Clemson got what it needed Saturday afternoon: a clean, convincing reset.
The Tigers rolled past Charleston Southern 37-0 at Memorial Stadium, snapping back into the win column after the bye week and putting together their first shutout of the season on Military Appreciation Day. It was the kind of complete performance Clemson has been chasing, and afterward several players stepped up to talk about where the team stands and where it wants to go next.
Kylon Griffin highlighted the special teams score he provided, praised Rich Bisaccia’s influence on that unit and looked back on the shutout from his perspective.
Max Wilson talked about living out a childhood goal by playing for Clemson, taking advantage of second-half chances and building confidence after a big run.
Vic Burley had a milestone day of his own. He picked up the first sack of his Clemson career, four years in the making, and also reflected on the suspension earlier this season. Burley thanked Dabo Swinney and his teammates for giving him another chance, said the situation deepened his appreciation for football and made clear that the Tigers expect to dominate over the final six weeks of the season.
Elyjah Thurmon described the emotion of carrying the American flag down the Hill on Military Appreciation Day, honoring his parents’ Army service while also taking in his return to the field.
Chris Johnson Jr. capped the list by celebrating his first Clemson touchdown and praising the offensive line, calling Saturday’s performance the offense’s best game of the season.
In Other News...
Clemsons 2026 Home Slate Says A Lot About The Programs Direction
Clemsons non-conference planning continues to take shape, and one of the clearer signs is the addition of Charleston Southern to the 2026 home slate on Oct. 17. The Buccaneers will receive $450,000 for the game, according to a contract that dates back to 2017 and also lays out details on passes and tickets, another reminder of how far ahead major programs map out their schedules.
The broader picture is even more telling. Clemsons non-conference opponents through 2036 already include Georgia State, Wofford, Troy, The Citadel, Furman, Notre Dame, South Carolina, East Carolina and Oklahoma, with a previously scheduled series against Georgia no longer on the calendar. For a program with Clemsons ambitions, the future schedule suggests a mix of regional familiarity and high-profile matchups, even if some of the most interesting pieces are still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Finally Got The Reset Win Fans Have Been Waiting For
After a rough stretch, Clemson finally got the kind of clean reset game it had been looking for, rolling past Charleston Southern 37-0 at Memorial Stadium in a noon kickoff. The Tigers were sharp from the start, putting up 34 first-half points and delivering their biggest win and highest point total of the season in the process.
The tone was set early with three rushing touchdowns and a special teams score off a forced fumble recovery, the sort of all-around effort a team wants when it needs to settle things down. Backup quarterback Trent Pearman handled the second half, and kicker Nolan Hauser added another bright spot with a career-long 59-yard field goal, giving Clemson plenty to build on as the schedule turns back to stiffer competition. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Is About To Test A Young QBs Confidence
Charleston Southern heads into a noon matchup with Clemson carrying a young quarterback who just took a meaningful step forward. Jared Echols made his first career start in the previous game and handled it well, completing 17 of 29 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Gabe Giardina praised the way Echols stayed composed, and that kind of calm is going to matter against a Clemson defense that will ask plenty of questions right away.
Echols has already said he feels ready for the challenge, which is exactly the mindset Charleston Southern needs as it walks into a far tougher stage. A game like this can speed up a quarterbacks development in a hurry, but it can also test confidence early if the pocket closes and the field gets tighter. For Clemson, it is another chance to pressure an inexperienced starter, while for Echols it is a shot to show that the poise he displayed last week can travel into a much bigger spotlight. [Read more 🡒]