welcome home cade; Clemson vs texas

  Key Pregame Takeaways

o   Texas hosts Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. The Longhorns are one of the first programs to host a home CFP game, when the teams play at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Coming into this game, the Longhorns went 11-1 in the regular season and earned their trip to the SEC Championship Game as first-year members. Clemson, on the other hand, were crushed 34-3 by the Bulldogs in the opener. Their 56-yard field goal as time expired against SMU, helped them secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

- It’s no secret that most College Football fans believed that the Tigers were facing an uphill battle.

o   Cade Klubnik returns to his hometown of Austin, where he went undefeated while leading Westlake High School to back-to-back state championships as the starting quarterback.

- Some of his best friends from his high school will be his opponents, including star safety Michael Taaffe, As well as Andrew Mukuba, who spent three seasons at Clemson before transferring home in the offseason.

o   This is the first time in history these two teams have played each other.

 - Texas came into this game a 13.5-point favorite against Clemson in the CFP.

·          How did the game go?

o   Texas. Made. History.

  With Michael Taaffe making a key tackle on T.J. Moore to end the final Clemson Drive, Texas took the knee and made HISTORY. For the first time in program history, the Longhorns played in their first 12-team College Football Playoff. Even better? They beat Clemson at Royal-Memorial Stadium for the first-round win and a spot in the CFP quarterfinals against No.4 Arizona State on January 1st in Atlanta.

  Stats?

·          Texas finished their first playoff game with a 38-24 victory! Jaydon Blue ran for 146 yards & two touchdowns, and Quintrevion Wisner added another 110 yards. Overall, Texas had 292 rushing yards compared to their opponent’s 76.

o   This is the most rushing yards Clemson has allowed since at least 2016!

·          QB Quinn Ewers, who entered this game dealing with a high-ankle sprain, had a clean day against Clemson’s defense. 17 of 24 passing for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception is very solid for someone who may not necessarily be at 100%.

·          The Longhorn defense was able to slow down Austin native and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik in this battle. Klubnik marked the 7th 300-yard game of his career and just his second in a game against a ranked opponent. The only other time he’s cleared that line vs a ranked team came against Tennessee in the Orange Bowl way back on Dec. 30, 2022. 3 touchdown passes on 26-43 passes. Remarkable numbers, especially considering the quality of competition Klubnik was facing. Texas entered this game with the nation’s No. 1 pass defense efficiency rating. Texas’s resilience in the rushing game led to a heartbreaking defeat for the Tigers.

·          It was the second quarter where we saw Texas absolutely run away (literally!)  with this game. 21 points in this quarter alone amassed over half of their 38 total points.

·          Clemson showed fight in the second half, coming as close as seven points in the fourth, but it just wasn’t enough.

  Injuries?

·          Texas

o   Texas receiver Isaiah Bond did not play against Clemson as he suffered an ankle injury in the SEC championship game Dec. 7th against Georgia.

o   RB CJ Baxter (out), RB Christian Clark (out), RB Velton Gardner (out), DB Derek Williams Jr. (out), OL Kelvin Banks Jr (probable).

o   At the half, Center Jake Majors and right tackle Cam Williams left the game with injuries. This led to left guard Hayden Conner being switched to center, Cole Hudson moving to left guard, and Trevor Goosby taking over at right tackle.

o   For Longhorn fans, these injury scares could be more worrisome with games ahead. This will test the depth and availability of Texas to the absolute fullest.

·          Clemson

o   RB Jay Haynes (out), DT DeMonte Capehart (out), DB Corian Gipson (out), K/P Quinn Castner (out), OL Trent Howard (out), OL Elyjah Thurmon (out), WR Tyler Brown (questionable), OL Dietrick Pennington (questionable), RB Phil Mafah (probable).

What’s next for Clemson?

·          Clemson will be looking to defend their ACC title next season and earn their eighth playoff berth.  

·          Their lack of rushing defense was the biggest reason they were unable to hang with Texas this Saturday night. This will have to be addressed before next season if they are to have a chance at another playoff entrance.

o   As a team, Texas averaged over 6 yards per carry.

Nathan Guynn Jr.

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