By : Tage Greene
(Photo/Tage Greene-The Mojo Network)
The Clemson Tigers escaped the Panther Pitt last Saturday afternoon after a nail-biting final few minutes in a high-stakes ACC battle against the Pittsburgh Panthers. After leaving Virginia Tech with a win the week before, the Tigers remained ranked 17th in the AP Poll and headed to Acrisure Stadium for their last game on the road in the regular season. The game was the Pittsburgh Panther's final home game and senior night, honoring the seniors before kickoff. During that time, it was announced that freshman starting quarterback Eli Holstein would not be playing against Clemson. Holstein was set to be a game-time decision after being pulled from the past two of three games due to head injuries. The Tigers relied on the late-game heroics of quarterback Cade Klubnik to secure a 24-20 win, keeping their ACC Championship, and potentially the College Football Playoff hopes alive.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The matchup was a tale of two halves, as Clemson started strong, establishing a 17-7 lead by the third quarter. Klubnik found wide receiver Antonio Williams twice in the end zone during the first half, with Williams finishing the game as the standout offensive performer. He hauled in 13 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, consistently outmaneuvering the Panthers’ secondary.
Pittsburgh, however, refused to go quietly. The Panthers mounted an impressive comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 unanswered points. Quarterback Nate Yarnell demonstrated resilience with a career-best game, despite a challenging outing. He completed 34 of 54 passes for 350 yards, with key contributions from running back Desmond Reid, who rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries.
Kicker Ben Sauls played a pivotal role, converting a 47-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to give Pitt a 20-17 lead with just under three minutes left on the clock.
Klubnik’s Moment of Glory
With the game on the line, Cade Klubnik rose to the occasion. On a critical drive with just over a minute remaining, Klubnik broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run, silencing the Pittsburgh crowd and putting Clemson ahead 24-20. The play showcased his dual-threat capabilities, adding to an already impressive stat line of 288 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive Stand Seals the Win
Pittsburgh had one final chance to reclaim the lead, but Clemson’s defense held firm. A last-ditch effort from Yarnell fell short as the Tigers’ secondary batted away a potential game-winning pass in the closing seconds. The defensive unit, led by linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., delivered crucial stops throughout the game, leading to a final-play interception by Khalil Barnes, ensuring the Tigers emerged victorious.
What’s Next?
The win pushes Clemson to 8-2 overall and 7-1 in ACC play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a spot in the ACC Championship Game. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh drops to 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference, dampening their postseason aspirations.
For Clemson, this game was a testament to resilience and the ability to execute under pressure. For Pittsburgh, it was a missed opportunity but also a showcase of their potential against a top-tier opponent even without a starting quarterback.
As the ACC season nears its conclusion, both teams will look to build on this performance in their final regular-season matchups. For Clemson, the road to the ACC title remains alive, while Pittsburgh will aim to rebound and solidify a strong bowl game appearance.