Clemson’s dominant win over Appalachian State last Saturday showed just how well the team could recover after a tough start to the season.
The Tigers scored a record-setting 56 points in the first half, making ACC history and moving past their Week 1 loss to Georgia. The team’s resilience and determination were on full display, and tight end Jake Briningstool credited their ability to stay focused on constant growth. “Our biggest thing is just trying to get better every single day,” Briningstool said, pointing to the influence of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. The philosophy instilled by Riley, which began during his arrival two springs ago, is starting to bear fruit as the offense finds its rhythm.
Briningstool played a significant role in the win, leading the tight ends with seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He highlighted the competition within the tight end room, saying, “I think we’ve got a really good tight end room… Just being able to come here, have competition, go to work every single day, and make each other better.” The tight ends combined for 130 yards off nine catches, contributing significantly to Clemson’s offensive dominance. Alongside Briningstool’s stellar showing, quarterback Cade Klubnik shined with seven total touchdowns and 378 passing yards, further demonstrating the potential this offense has. With confidence building, Briningstool believes there’s no limit to what the Tigers can achieve moving forward. “There’s no telling where we can go,” he said.
Fans have patiently waited for Riley’s stamp to be felt on this team and it was definitely felt on Saturday.