Clemson’s week has been packed on multiple fronts, and the Tigers have already delivered a little bit of everything: a big NFL night from Tee Higgins, some encouraging preseason buzz around Brad Brownell’s basketball team, and a wet but successful start for Mike Noonan’s squad in the ACC Tournament.
The headline grabber came from Cincinnati, where Higgins kept rolling in Week 8. The former Clemson star hauled in 10 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals’ 43-36 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans.
It was the second time this season he topped 10 receptions and 150 yards, and the first time he found the end zone twice in a game this year. Cincinnati moved to 5-2, and Higgins’ performance was enough to earn him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Through eight games, Higgins has 43 catches for 726 yards and four touchdowns, putting him well ahead of pace for what would be his third 1,000-yard season. He also remains in position for another Pro Bowl-caliber year, with the possibility of pushing toward a third straight season with 10 touchdown receptions.
The Bengals’ next game comes Sunday, Nov. 8, against the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid at 9:30 a.m. ET.
On the college basketball side, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas offered a positive read on Clemson even with a couple of notable question marks hanging over the roster. Bilas has the Tigers ranked 53rd nationally, which points toward another NCAA Tournament appearance in an expanded field. He pointed to Clemson’s recent consistency and defensive strength, writing: "The Tigers have made the past three NCAA tournaments, and last season were top-25 in defensive adjusted efficiency," and added, "If everything combines just right, Clemson could challenge the top tier of the ACC."
Clemson is dealing with Carter Welling’s injury and the eligibility status of Dillon Hunter, but there is still optimism around both situations. Welling is expected back in time for ACC play as he continues recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in March.
Hunter, meanwhile, is still waiting on a court ruling before he can return to the floor. Brownell’s team hosts American on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
ET at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Noonan’s men’s soccer team moved on in the ACC Tournament with a 2-1 win over Duke on a rainy Wednesday night. Duncan Wilson opened the scoring in the 16th minute after finishing Remi Okunlola’s pass in the box, and Philip Rolke doubled the lead 12 minutes later off a Ransford Gyan corner kick.
The weather clearly shaped the match, but Clemson still did enough to control key stretches. Duke did get on the board, yet the Tigers finished with a 10-9 edge in shots and a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Clemson now turns to North Carolina in the ACC quarterfinals on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Clemsons Secondary Still Has One Costly Habit Dabo Wants Gone
Clemsons secondary has come a long way this season, and the numbers show it. The Tigers have climbed to 57th nationally in passing yards allowed and sit seventh in total pass breakups, a clear sign that defensive coordinator Tom Allens approach, the promotion of his son Thomas Allen and help from the transfer portal have all made a difference.
Even so, the unit still has a habit Dabo Swinney wants cleaned up after a recent game against Florida State, where the back end let a few situations get away from it. Swinney pointed to situational awareness and execution errors, the kind of mistakes that can undo otherwise solid coverage and keep Clemson from fully trusting how far the secondary has really come. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Heads To Syracuse With An Offense Fans Barely Recognize
Clemson heads to Syracuse with a reshaped offense that looks a lot different from the one fans expected to see when the season began. A freshman, Grant Wise, is set to start at center because of an injury, while senior Jarvis Green is in line for his first career start at running back, a sign of how much the Tigers have had to adjust as they move into a game with similar stakes on both sides.
Syracuse has its own momentum, with quarterback Steve Angeli helping steady the offense after returning from injury and wide receiver Umari Hatcher emerging as one of the nations top performers. With both teams carrying comparable records and plenty to prove, the matchup in the trenches could end up deciding which side leaves with the bigger boost. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Secondary Faces Heat After A Finish That Nearly Cost Them
Clemsons secondary spent the days after the Florida State game looking back at a fourth quarter that got far too loose for comfort. The Tigers still came away with the win, but the defensive breakdowns that let the lead shrink were hard to ignore, and both Dabo Swinney and cornerbacks coach Mike Reed pointed to execution errors that need to be cleaned up if this group wants to play to its standard.
For a defense that has talked all season about consistency, the message from the back end was simple: the work is not just about making plays early, but about keeping the same focus all the way through the final whistle. Ashton Hampton said the standard has to stay high, and that kind of self-check matters for a secondary that knows one shaky finish can turn a controlled game into a scramble in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]