Clemson will be without Christopher Vizzina for its ACC opener against North Carolina, and the Tigers now have a new face taking over the offense.
Vizzina, who started Clemson’s 22-7 win over Georgia Southern in the home opener, was pulled after just three drives. At the time, plenty of people assumed the decision had more to do with the interception he threw on his final series. But Dabo Swinney said at halftime that the redshirt junior had injured his non-throwing arm, which kept him on the sideline.
The injury turned out to be an elbow issue, and Vizzina is now expected to miss at least next weekend’s matchup with UNC, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. He’s officially week-to-week.
That leaves true freshman Tait Reynolds in line to make his first career start against an undefeated North Carolina team. Reynolds finished the Georgia Southern game in Vizzina’s place and went 16-of-27 for 178 yards, while also adding 38 yards on the ground.
Swinney came away impressed by what Reynolds did, especially as a runner. He pointed to one third-down scramble as the kind of play that showed why Clemson brought him in.
“Yeah, I mean, you look around College Football. I mean, the best offenses have a guy at quarterback that can move,” Swinney explained after the contest.
“When things are covered, when things break down, and I mean none are more of a perfect example than that third-and-10. I mean, he gets outside, they got him, and then they don’t have him, and then he outruns them.
So yeah, that’s why we recruited him. And you see his arm talent, I mean, his arm talent is really special.”
Still, Swinney didn’t sugarcoat the freshman’s rough edges.
“But, you know, we just need to polish him up and hone him in, and he’s just got to continue to play, and he’ll get better. But no question he’s gifted that way… So there’s a lot to be excited about, but pump the brakes because, you know, he did some really boneheaded stuff, and I was losing my mind on the sideline because it’s simple to me.”
Clemson’s next game comes Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, when it opens ACC play against North Carolina. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN.
In Other News...
Clemson Got The Win But A Bigger Offensive Concern Just Emerged
Clemson got back in the win column in its home opener with a 22-7 victory over Georgia Southern, a result that offered some relief after the loss to LSU but also came with a familiar-looking offensive grind. The defense did its part, limiting Georgia Southern to 266 yards and recording three sacks, while Nolan Hauser was perfect on five field goal tries to help keep the Tigers in control even when the offense never fully found a rhythm.
The bigger concern emerged at quarterback, where Christopher Vizzina got the start but was knocked out by injury and replaced by Tait Reynolds, who handled the entire second half. For a Clemson offense still searching for consistency, any disruption under center adds another layer of uncertainty, and the Tigers will now have to see how serious the issue is before turning the page to the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Dabo Swinney Has One Clemson Problem He Must Solve Fast
Clemsons second game offered a little of what Dabo Swinney needed to see and a little of what he didnt. The defense looked sharper, the special teams held up, and Tom Allens group again showed the kind of competitiveness and cohesion that can keep the Tigers afloat while the offense searches for answers. Even with those positives, the biggest concern remains the same: Clemson is still trying to find an identity on that side of the ball.
Tait Reynolds stepped in after the injured starter went down and looked like the most likely quarterback of the future, flashing enough potential to make the job feel like his to lose. But the growing pains were obvious, and the larger issue goes beyond one player. The offensive line has drawn criticism, the scheme coordination has been uneven, and Clemson cannot afford to let those problems linger if it wants the rest of this season to mean anything. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Won But One Big Question Still Follows This Offense
A lightning delay pushed the start back nearly two hours, but Clemson eventually settled in and handled Georgia Southern 22-7 behind a defense that controlled the game from the opening series. Nolan Hauser matched his career high with five field goals, T.J. Moore found the end zone on a touchdown reception and Will Heldt added two sacks as the Tigers found enough complementary plays to leave little doubt about the outcome.
Even so, the win did not fully quiet the larger concern hovering over this offense. Clemson moved the ball well enough at times to stay in control, but the way the points came mostly through Hauser kept the focus on how much more explosive this unit still needs to become as the schedule stiffens. For a team that expects to lean on balance and finish drives, the next stretch will say plenty about whether this was simply an early-season hiccup or a sign that the same old questions are still hanging around. [Read more 🡒]