Clemson vs. Pitt – Syndication Server

Best photos of Clemson’s thrilling overtime win at Pitt Panthers

Here are 16 of the best game photos from the Tigers’ 78-75 overtime win at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Clemson Tigers sank 14 three-pointers and had four of their five starters finish in double figures in a wild 78-75 overtime win over the Pitt Panthers in ACC play Saturday at Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh.

Clemson improved to 15-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play despite letting a 14-point second-half lead slip away. The Tigers got 20 points from senior Chase Hunter, whose three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining in overtime turned a one-possession game into a 78-73 lead.

The Tigers held on for their third straight win, getting 16 points from Jaeden Zackery coming off a season-high 21 at Georgia Tech four nights earlier, plus 15 from Ian Schieffelin and 11 from Chauncey Wiggins. Dillon Hunter also added 10 points off the bench.

The Tigers finished 14-of-27 from behind the arc to remain one game behind the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC standings. The third-ranked Blue Devils (16-2, 8-0) cruised to an 88-63 blowout win at Boston College on Saturday.

Clemson returns home to face Syracuse at 7 p.m. ET at Littlejohn Coliseum Wednesday. The game will be televised on ACC Network.

Here’s a look at the best photos from the Tigers’ thrilling overtime win over Pitt.

Clemson takes down Pitt in an overtime thriller

Clemson handles business against Pitt in overtime.

Clemson edged out a hard-fought 78-75 overtime victory against Pitt on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center, surviving a second-half surge by the Panthers. The win extended Clemson’s winning streak over Pitt to 13 games and marked their third consecutive victory this season.

Chase Hunter led the Tigers with 20 points, tying his career-high with five three-pointers while shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Ian Schieffelin contributed his eighth double-double of the season, recording 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaeden Zackery added 16 points. Dillon Hunter provided a boost off the bench with 10 points, giving Clemson four double-digit scorers.

The Tigers (15-4, 7-1 ACC) built a 14-point lead early in the second half, but Pitt (12-6, 3-4 ACC) stormed back with a 19-4 run to tie the game at 57-57. A late three-pointer by Ishmael Leggett gave the Panthers a brief lead, but Clemson held firm in overtime. Hunter’s clutch three-pointer with 14 seconds left in the extra period sealed the win for the Tigers.

Clemson shot a season-high 14-of-27 from beyond the arc, despite cooling off after halftime. The Tigers outrebounded Pitt 32-30, securing 12 of the final 15 boards, which proved pivotal. Schieffelin, who has battled back and calf injuries, delivered another strong road performance, with six of his eight double-doubles this season coming away from home.

Next, Clemson returns to Littlejohn Coliseum to host Syracuse on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Cade Klubnik calls game as Clemson takes down Pitt on the road

Clemson scrapes by Pitt on the road.

Clemson emerged with a hard-fought 24-20 win over Pitt on Saturday, overcoming key injuries and a late-game challenge. The Tigers entered the fourth quarter with a 17-7 lead, but Pitt scored 13 unanswered points, taking a 20-17 lead with just under two minutes left.

With the offense struggling throughout the second half, Cade Klubnik orchestrated a rapid 75-yard drive in only 20 seconds, capping it off with a game-winning touchdown run with 1:16 remaining. Pitt managed to move the ball to the Clemson 29-yard line with four seconds left, but Khalil Barnes intercepted Nate Yarnell’s fourth-down pass as time expired, securing the victory for the Tigers.

Injuries played a major role in the game. Elyjah Thurmon’s injury on the first offensive play, Wade Woodaz’s absence, and Sammy Brown’s ejection for targeting left Clemson’s defense shorthanded. RJ Mickens also went down in the fourth quarter, further depleting an already thin defense. Despite these setbacks, Clemson’s defense kept Pitt to 438 total yards, although they were outgained 264-102 in the second half.

Clemson’s hopes for an ACC Championship are still alive, but they will need to get healthier, particularly on the offensive line. With six offensive linemen now sidelined by significant injuries, including starters Marcus Tate and Tristan Leigh, the team’s depth continues to be tested.

It was a wild game, and one Clemson fans probably don’t feel too great about. Looking ahead, Clemson will return home next weekend to face The Citadel.

Clemson star freshman linebacker Sammy Brown ejected from Pitt game for targeting

Brown won’t return against Pitt.

Clemson freshman linebacker Sammy Brown was ejected in the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Pitt after a targeting call on Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell. The play occurred on third-and-17 when Brown hit Yarnell in the head after the throw, leading to a roughing penalty and targeting ruling that was upheld on review.

Brown’s ejection gave Pitt an automatic first down, but Clemson’s defense regrouped and forced a punt on the drive. With the ejection happening in the first half, Brown will miss the rest of the game but is eligible to return for Clemson’s matchup against The Citadel next week.

Brown’s aggressive play has been a key factor in Clemson’s defensive success this season. While his absence left the Tigers thin at linebacker, the unit has shown resilience, with Brown emerging as a standout contributor. His physicality and energy continue to provide a spark for Clemson, which makes this loss hurt a bit. Especially considering how depleted the Tigers’ are at linebacker.

The worst part is that it just looked like a perfect hit. However, by definition, in the modern game, it is targeting.

The Tigers’ defense has looked good since, but it’s never helpful losing a key player.

Halftime Report: Clemson leads Pitt with stellar play from Cade Klubnik, Antonio Williams

Clemson leads Pitt at the end of the first half.

No. 20 Clemson leads Pitt 17-7 at halftime at Acrisure Stadium, fueled by Cade Klubnik’s strong performance and a resilient defensive effort despite injuries.

Klubnik has been sharp, completing 20 of 28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 12.1 yards per completion. However, drops by T.J. Moore, Jake Briningstool, and Antonio Williams, along with a fumble, stalled early drives. The Tigers’ running game has been non-existent, with Phil Mafah limited to five yards on eight carries as the offensive line, already reshuffled due to an early injury to Elijah Thurmon, has allowed four sacks.

Defensively, Clemson has held Pitt to just 60 rushing yards, with 43 coming on one run by Desmond Reid. Backup quarterback Nate Yarnell has struggled, throwing for only 111 yards as Clemson’s defense notched four sacks and held Pitt to 1-of-6 on third downs. However, depth at linebacker is a concern after Sammy Brown’s ejection for targeting, leaving the team thin in the middle.

Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser capped the half with a 51-yard field goal, giving Clemson momentum as it heads into a critical second half.

Clemson takes the lead behind Antonio Williams 2nd first-half touchdown against Pitt

Williams scored his second touchdown of the day in the first half.

Clemson’s starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik, has been slinging the ball all over the field against Pitt, and star wide receiver Antonio Williams is benefiting tremendously from his quarterback’s excellent play.

The duo connected for the first score of the game in the first quarter to get the Tigers’ offense going. Klubnik connected with Williams for a 14-yard touchdown, but they didn’t stop there.

In the second quarter, the two stars on Clemson’s offense connected again for another huge play. It was a 38-yard strike to Williams for his second touchdown of the first half. The Tigers’ offense has been tearing Pitt’s defense up, passing the ball.

Williams is having one of the best first halves a Clemson receiver has ever had, with six catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Clemson missing multiple key starters for final ACC matchup against Pitt

Clemson is missing some key starters.

Clemson football will be shorthanded when it takes on Pitt at noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, with several starters sidelined due to injuries.

Linebacker Wade Woodaz, who sustained a leg injury during practice this week, is unavailable despite traveling with the team. Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart also remains out, missing his second consecutive game following an injury suffered in the Louisville loss.

On the offensive front, the Tigers will again be without linemen Tristan Leigh and Marcus Tate. Leigh exited early in last week’s victory after just nine snaps due to an ankle injury, while Tate was ruled out shortly before kickoff. Elyjah Thurmon and Harris Sewell are expected to step in at left tackle and right guard, respectively.

A lot of key injuries for the Tigers heading into one of their biggest games of the season.

Pitt starting quarterback Eli Holstein is OUT against Clemson

Holstein won’t suit up against Clemson.

Pitt will turn to backup quarterback Nate Yarnell when they host No. 20 Clemson on Saturday, as starter Eli Holstein has been ruled out following head injuries in the past two games. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Holstein will not play, leaving the Panthers without their top passer for this critical ACC matchup.

Holstein had been a steady presence for Pitt this season, completing 62% of his passes for 2,177 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, his recent performances had dipped, failing to reach 150 passing yards in three of his last four starts. Last week’s loss to Virginia saw him complete just 10 of 23 passes for 121 yards before exiting. Yarnell stepped in but also struggled, finishing 4 of 12 for 44 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Yarnell, who has appeared in six games this season, has completed 30 of 48 passes for 314 yards, five touchdowns, and two picks. Despite his limited experience, he will take over as the starter, having prepared with first-team reps throughout the week.

Kickoff between Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC) and Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC) is set for noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, with the game airing on ESPN.

Pittsburgh starting quarterback Eli Holstein named a ‘game-time decision’ for Clemson game

Pitt could be without their starting quarterback against Clemson.

Pittburgh football’s quarterback situation remains uncertain ahead of Saturday’s game against No. 20 Clemson. Starter Eli Holstein, who left each of the past two games with a head injury, is listed as a game-time decision.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed on Thursday that Holstein has not practiced this week, with backup Nate Yarnell taking first-team reps in his place.

Holstein struggled in last week’s loss to Virginia, completing just 10 of 23 passes for 121 yards before exiting. Yarnell, stepping in, managed 4 of 12 passing for 44 yards with one touchdown but also threw two interceptions. On the season, Holstein has completed 62% of his passes for 2,177 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions, though he has failed to surpass 150 yards in three of his last four games. Yarnell has appeared in six games, throwing for 314 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions on 30-of-48 passing.

He was having an outstanding season before the difficult game.
The kickoff between Clemson and Pitt is scheduled for noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, and the game is airing on ESPN.

USA TODAY Sports experts’ predictions for must-win Clemson-Pitt showdown

Here’s who USA TODAY Sports experts think will win Saturday’s ACC showdown between No. 16 Clemson and Pitt.

After getting back in the win column with a 24-14 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies, Cade Klubnik and the Clemson Tigers will look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive when they head to Pittsburgh to face Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers.

The Tigers (7-2) got three second-half touchdown passes from Cade Klubnik and scored 24 straight points against Virginia Tech after being held scoreless in the first half. Dabo Swinney’s team will hope for a better start against the Pittsburgh defense.

Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein left his team’s 24-19 loss to Virginia last week with an apparent head injury and is reportedly questionable for Saturday’s game against the Tigers.

Clemson moved up one spot to No. 16 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll. In the updated College Football Playoff Rankings released Tuesday, Clemson rose three spots to No. 20.

Pitt (7-2) is coming off back-to-back losses to ACC leader SMU in Week 10 and to Tony Elliott’s Virginia Cavaliers last Saturday.

On Thursday, the six-member panel of Dan Wolken, Paul Myerberg, Eddie Timanus, Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza and Erick Smith all predicted the Tigers to win Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh in the group’s weekly Top 25 college football predictions.

Kickoff for Saturday’s Clemson-Pitt game is set for noon ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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