Clemson football’s season came to a frustrating conclusion on Saturday with a 38-24 loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers showed flashes of promise but were ultimately undone by a relentless Longhorns rushing attack and costly mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Cade Klubnik, playing in his hometown of Austin, nearly willed Clemson back into the game. His 7-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Moore early in the fourth quarter trimmed Texas’ lead to 31-24, giving the Tigers a glimmer of hope. But Texas running back Jaydon Blue snuffed out any comeback dreams with a 77-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive. Blue finished with 146 yards and two scores, while teammate Quintrevion Wisner added 115 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
Clemson’s defense struggled throughout the night, allowing 292 rushing yards and failing to get crucial stops. The Longhorns converted 6-of-12 third downs and averaged nearly seven yards per play. Despite forcing a couple of near-turnovers, including a negated pick-six, the Tigers couldn’t capitalize on opportunities to shift momentum.
Klubnik finished with 336 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Moore catching nine passes for 116 yards. Clemson’s offense moved the ball effectively at times, even outgaining Texas through the air, but critical red-zone failures—including back-to-back unsuccessful runs from the Texas one-yard line—proved costly.
The loss ends Clemson’s season at 10-3, with a winless record against SEC opponents and plenty of questions heading into 2025. Texas, now 12-2, advances to face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.