Clemson’s trip to Berkeley had a little bit of everything Friday night, and the Tigers had to muscle through all of it to stay unbeaten in ACC play.
In a 24-10 win over California, Clemson leaned on its defense, its special teams and a punishing ground attack to survive a wild game that featured turnovers, a punt return touchdown and a late knockout run. The Tigers are now 2-0 in the conference after holding off the Golden Bears on the road.
The biggest swing came on special teams, where Clemson finally broke through with a punt return touchdown for the first time since November 2018. Bryant Wesco Jr. took a Cal punt from his own 35-yard line and raced it back for the score, giving Clemson the lead in the third quarter and delivering the junior his first touchdown of the season.
The defense kept tightening the screws from there. Elliot Washington came up with two interceptions of Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, including the game-sealing pick with 1:54 left. One of those turnovers helped preserve a night in which Clemson’s defense and special teams did plenty of the heavy lifting.
The Tigers also had to dig out of an early hole. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds fumbled in Clemson territory, and Kamar Mothudi scooped it up and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Reynolds then coughed up another turnover on Clemson’s opening drive, trying to turn a trick play into a big gain before Isaiah Crosby stepped in with the interception.
Clemson’s offense never really got loose through the air, so the Tigers kept feeding the run game until it took over. They ran the ball 49 times for 255 yards and two touchdowns, with sophomore Gideon Davidson leading the way. Davidson finished with 155 yards and two scores on 22 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt, and his 75-yard touchdown run with under three minutes left put Clemson ahead by two scores.
Reynolds finished his second start with 108 passing yards and an interception, though he also added 28 rushing yards and helped extend drives with his legs. He’s now 2-0 as Clemson’s starting quarterback.
Next up is a huge one at Memorial Stadium, where Clemson will host No. 6 Miami next Saturday. Kickoff time has not been set.
In Other News...
Tait Reynolds Now Carries Clemsons Biggest Question Under Dabo Swinney
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.
Reynolds also lands in a larger story about how Clemson has managed the position during Swinneys tenure, where the Tigers have cycled through eras of consistency and uncertainty at quarterback. For now, the intrigue is less about where Reynolds came from than what he can do next, because his development may end up shaping whether Clemson can settle its biggest question on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Just Took A Painful Backfield Hit Fans Feared
Clemsons backfield took an immediate hit Saturday when David Eziomume was carted off with a left leg injury in the first quarter against Cal, a scene that quickly changed the mood around the game. Dabo Swinney said afterward the injury didnt look good and warned it could be season-ending, though the Tigers are still waiting on a formal diagnosis.
For a Clemson offense that has leaned on its depth in the run game, losing Eziomume so early is a tough blow, especially with the season still offering plenty of important work ahead. Eziomume later took to social media to thank people for their support and express optimism about his recovery, but for now the focus is on what the medical outlook will mean for Clemson moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Faces A Big Tait Reynolds Test At California
Clemson heads west for an ACC matchup at California looking to build on its win over North Carolina and move to 3-1. The setting changes a little at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, but the bigger shift may be under center, where Tait Reynolds is expected to make his second career start for the Tigers.
Reynolds next step comes with a real test attached, because Californias defense has been tough on opposing passers and has done a good job of limiting clean throws all season. For Clemson, this is the sort of game that can tell you a lot about how comfortable the offense is becoming with its young quarterback, especially in a road environment where every mistake tends to matter a little more. [Read more 🡒]