Clemson vs. Appalachian State – Syndication Server

Clemson crushes App State on historic night for Cade Klubnik

Cade Klubnik has historic night, leads No. 22 Clemson in rout over App State.

It was a coming out party — and then some — for the Clemson Tigers’ offense on Saturday night in Death Valley.

The 22nd-ranked Tigers found the end zone on their first eight possessions in a historic first-half performance en route to a 56-point half and a 66-20 victory over Appalachian State at Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik started the night by completing his first 11 passes for 233 yards and three touchdown strikes. Before the night was done, he had accounted for a whopping seven touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

Klubnik’s explosion started when he hit freshman sensation Bryant Wesco on a perfectly delivered 76-yard bomb for a 7-0 lead after Nolan Hauser‘s extra point just a minute, 14 seconds into the game. That capped a three-play, 75 yard drive.

On Clemson’s next possession, Klubnik wasted no time driving his team back down the field. He hooked up with Wesco again, this time for a 51-yard gain that gave the Tigers 1st and goal at the App State 2-yard line. From there, the second-year starter at quarterback ran it in for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Clemson’s third possession took only three plays as well, this time spanning 92 yards as tailback Phil Mafah broke an 83-yard touchdown run up the middle to make it 21-0.

Klubnik tacked on two more scores before the end of the first quarter, courtesy of a 41-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Briningstool that made it 28-0 with 2:34 left in the quarter and then a 29-yard touchdown to Antonio Williams with 1:11 remaining for a 35-0 lead.

All told, Klubnik was 11 of 11 for 233 yards and three touchdown passes in the first quarter alone. Wesco caught three balls for 130 yards. Clemson had a staggering 349 total yards and 13 first downs in the first period while holding possession of the ball for 6:43 compared to App State’s 8:17.

According to Clemson Sports Information, the 35 points were a school record for most in any first quarter and tied the school record for most points in any single quarter; the Tigers also 35 against Wake Forest in 1981, 35 against North Carolina in 2011, and 35 against Georgia Tech in 2020.

Clemson found the end zone three more times in the second quarter, again thanks to Klubnik’s career night. He ran for his second touchdown on a 3-yard rush that made it 42-0 early in the period. Later, Klubnik hit freshman receiver TJ Moore for 33 yards and a touchdown that upped the lead to 49-7 lead.

Right before halftime, Klubnik connected with Briningstool again for a 17-yard strike — his fifth touchdown pass of the night. Clemson had a 56-10 lead after that and went into intermission leading 56-13.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Klubnik is the first player at the FBS level with 5+ passing touchdowns, 2+ rushing touchdowns and a 90 percent completion rate in the last 25 years.

The Tigers closed the half with 525 total yards, with Klubnik 24 of 26 for 378 yards through the air and five more on the ground. He accounted for seven of the team’s eight touchdowns with nine different receivers catching passes, including Briningstool’s six catches for 95 yards.

Backup QB Christopher Vizzina took over in the second half and scored the Tigers’ ninth touchdown of the night on a 4-yard keeper with 3:10 to play in the third quarter to push the Tigers’ lead to 63-20. It was Vizzina’s first career college touchdown.

After App State’s fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Clemson tacked on a 36-yard field goal from Hauser with 1:51 left in the third.

Vizzina was 7 of 11 for 78 yards in the second half. Mafah finished with 10 carries on the ground for 118 yards, including his first-quarter touchdown. The Tigers finished the night with 28 first downs and 712 total yards to App State’s 24 first downs and 363 total yards.

It was just the seventh time in school history that Clemson finished with over 700 total yards. True freshman linebacker Sammy Brown led the Tigers’ defense in tackling (seven total, five solo).

With the win, the Tigers improved to 1-1. Clemson is idle next week before hosting NC State in Death Valley Sept. 21. Kickoff and broadcast information have not yet been announced. App State fell to 1-1.

Clemson delivers dominant Appalachian State win behind Klubnik’s breakout

Clemson’s offense goes crazy in the first half as the Tigers handle Appalachian State.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program bounced back in a big way in Week 2 with a dominant 66-20 win over Appalachian State.

The win was headlined by a ridiculous first-half performance from starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, who scored seven total touchdowns in the game. Throwing five through the air and two on the ground, Klubnik’s performance was one of the best in Clemson’s history and could have been even bigger if he had played more than a half.

Klubnik’s five passing touchdowns started with a 76-yard strike down the middle in the first quarter to freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr., who looked like a star. Wesco ended the game with three catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Another freshman wide receiver, T.J. Moore, scored the first touchdown of his career as well, on a 33-yard pass.

Veteran wide receiver Antonio Williams added a 29-yard score, but he wasn’t the veteran who shined the most out of the pass catchers. Tight end Jake Briningstool recorded seven catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Klubnik completed 24-26 passes for 378 yards along with the seven scores Star running back Phil Mafah added 118 yards and a score on just ten carries.
Clemson’s second string and beyond got the work from there, with redshirt freshman Christopher Vizzina getting some quality reps.

This is exactly the performance Clemson’s offense needed. It looked like the Tigers were sinking, and while this doesn’t guarantee anything, it does show what this offense is capable of.

It was a massive win for the Tigers.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has a historic first half with seven touchdowns

Klubnik has a historic first half against Appalachian State.

Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik had one of the best first-half performances in Clemson football history, if not the best, as Clemson heads into the locker room with a 56-13 lead over Appalachian State.

Klubnik dominated the first half of Clemson’s game against Appalachian State, putting together a remarkable seven-touchdown performance. Klubnik threw five touchdown passes and ran for two more, giving the Tigers a massive lead heading into halftime.

The offensive explosion started with a 76-yard touchdown pass to freshman Bryant Wesco, followed by a rushing score. Klubnik continued to lead the offense with precision, connecting on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jake Briningstool and later hitting Antonio Williams for a 29-yard score. The Tigers were in complete control, moving the ball downfield with ease.

Klubnik added another rushing touchdown as the half progressed, then capped off the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Briningstool. His seven-touchdown performance set the tone for Clemson’s first-half dominance, giving the Tigers a commanding lead at the break.

Clemson freshman T.J. Moore scores first career touchdown, Clemson leads 49-7

Moore gets involved for his first career touchdown.

Clemson’s passing attack has been on fire against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is lighting Appalachian State’s defense, scoring five touchdowns in the first quarter. Klubnik started with a 76-yard touchdown to Bryant Wesco, quickly followed by a two-yard rushing score. After Phil Mafah broke free for an 83-yard touchdown, Klubnik connected with Jake Briningstool on a 41-yard pass and added a 29-yard strike to Antonio Williams to cap off an explosive quarter.

The Tigers’ offense, which struggled in Week 1, looked unstoppable, with big plays coming from multiple key players. Klubnik’s ability to spread the ball around and find the open man energized the team and crowd alike.

The thing is, a five-touchdown first half wasn’t enough for Klubnik. To extend the lead to 49-7, Klubnik connected with freshman wide receiver T.J. Moore for a 33-yard touchdown. It was Moore’s first career touchdown, as the Tigers’ offense looks unstoppable.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik scores four first quarter touchdowns

Klubnik shines as Clemson leads Appalachian State 35-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Cade Klubnik delivered a stellar first-quarter performance for Clemson, leading the Tigers to a quick 35-0 lead over Appalachian State. The junior quarterback got things rolling with a 76-yard bomb to freshman wideout Bryant Wesco, who found a gap in the defense for the Tigers’ first touchdown of the season. It was exactly the kind of explosive play Clemson had been waiting for from Klubnik, setting the tone early.

On the very next drive, Klubnik showcased his versatility, finishing it off with a two-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead. Then, after Phil Mafah broke loose for a huge 83-yard touchdown run, Klubnik added his third score of the night, connecting with tight end Jake Briningstool on a 41-yard strike. The Tigers’ offense was clicking on all cylinders, much to the delight of fans in Death Valley.

Klubnik’s four-touchdown quarter has been a statement performance, showing his ability to command the offense and make big plays. After last week’s struggles, this early offensive surge has been a breath of fresh air for

Clemson as they look to build momentum moving forward.

Klubnik’s breakout performance continues with a 41-yard Briningstool touchdown

Klubnik has three total touchdowns in the first quarter.

Clemson’s starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik, is having a breakout performance against the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Klubnik has been tearing up this Mountaineers defense in the first quarter, scoring their first touchdown on a 76-yard touchdown to freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco. Following that, he took a two yard carry on the next drive for a touchdown, and the following drive, star running back Phil Mafah took a carry 83 yards for a touchdown. Yes, it was a lot of scoring.

Well, shortly after, Klubnik scored his third touchdown of the first quarter on a 41-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Briningstool. It has been a historic day for the junior quarterback, who is making a name for himself with this performance.

Mafah breaks off 83-yard touchdown as Clemson’s half-explosion continues

Clemson’s offense is scorching in the first quarter.

I can barely keep up right now, which is a beautiful thing and something I haven’t had to deal with in some time.

Clemson’s offense is on a tear right now, going from a team that couldn’t buy a big play to a team that’s producing them left and right. Even if it is a game against Appalachian State, this start for the Tigers offense is impressive. Big play after big play, so you know, the star running back Phil Mafah had to join in on the fun.

Up 14-0 in the first quarter, Mafah took a carry 83 yards to the house for another huge touchdown, extending Clemson’s lead to 21-0. This comes after a 76-yard Bryant Wesco Touchdown and another catch from the freshman that resulted in a 52-yard catch.

A perfect start for Garrett Riley’s offense and a fun game to watch for Tigers fans.

Klubnik tearing up Appalachian State defense, Clemson takes a 14-0 lead

Clemson takes 14-0 lead behind strong play of Klubnik and Wesco.

Clemson’s passing attack is humming against App State in the first quarter, as the Tigers took a quick 14-0 lead over the Mountaineers in Death Valley.

The scoring started with a Bryant Wesco 76-yard touchdown from staring quarterback Cade Klubnik, and he two continued to show a strong connection on the next drive. After tight end Jake Briningstool had back to back catches for 14 and 7 yards, Wesco recorded two of his own for 3 and a massive 52-yards.

Set up at the two yard line, Klubnik finished the job as the Tigers extended their lead. It has been a flawless start for a team that needed one.

Klubnik connects with Wesco for a 76-yard touchdown, first of the season

Clemson’s first touchdown of the season was a big one.

Clemson’s offense opened their Week 2 matchup against Appalachian State with a bang Saturday night, getting a freshman wide receiver involved for the Tigers’ first touchdown of the season.

Find a hole in the middle of the App State defense; starting quarterback Cade Klubnik found Bryant Wesco for a 76-yard touchdown. The explosive play was a breath of fresh air and an excellent way for the Tigers to get their first touchdown of the season.

Those are the throws we wait for with Klubnik. Calm in the pocket, finds the open man downfield for a massive play and a much needed score. It was a beautiful play, especially considering the first two plays were screaming trouble for the Tigers.

Clemson takes a 7-0 lead in the first in the best way possible.

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor against Appalachian State

Clemson needs this linebacker to step up in Week 2.

After Clemson’s brutal Week 1 loss to the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter has to rebound against Appalachian State today.

Carter, talent-wise, is arguably the best linebacker in the country. Talent doesn’t take you all the way, though, with the star on defense returning for another season with the Tigers to refine his game. While there’s no doubt he will continue to improve as the year goes on and further work towards solidifying himself as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, we saw some of the holes in his game against the Bulldogs.

A few poor angles and bad tackling mechanics kept Carter quiet against the Bulldogs, with 3 total tackles on the day. Clemson simply needs more from their star linebacker.

Carter is due for a big game against App State as he and the team look to get back on track.