Clemson came into Chapel Hill staring down the possibility of a complete lost season. At 1-3 and winless in the ACC, the Tigers were teetering on the edge of irrelevance. Instead, they delivered a 38-10 statement win over North Carolina that looked more like vintage Clemson than the uneven group we saw in September.
The question now: was this just one good Saturday, or the spark that flips the Tigers’ season? To build on the UNC game, Clemson has to take the lessons from Chapel Hill and make them consistent.
1. Keep the Offense Creative and Aggressive
The Tigers’ first play of the game told the story, a double pass trick play from Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams to TJ Moore that went 75 yards to the house. That set the tone for a Clemson offense that finally mixed creativity with execution. Cade Klubnik spread the ball around, his receivers got separation, and Adam Randall’s versatility once again gave the opposing defense a fit.
For Clemson to sustain this, Garrett Riley’s offense can’t go back into a shell. Even if every game doesn’t open with fireworks, the Tigers must continue to build off their speed and keep defenses guessing. That means play-action shots, misdirection, and trusting young weapons like Bryant Wesco Jr., TJ Moore, Christian Bentancur, who had a breakout game in Chapel Hill, and others to make plays.
2. Protect Klubnik at All Costs
Cade Klubnik looked as confident as he’s ever been with 22-of-24 passing with four touchdowns and nearly perfect decision-making. But it wasn’t just about accuracy. The offensive line gave him time early, and that rhythm carried into the second quarter.
The second half reminded us what happens when protection breaks down. Klubnik was sacked and slowed, and Clemson’s scoring pace disappeared. Against better defenses, that could cost them. If this team wants to stack wins, keeping Klubnik upright and in rhythm is priority No. 1.
3. The Clemson Defense Must Keep Setting the Tone
While the offense grabbed headlines, Clemson’s defense quietly smothered UNC. At halftime, the Tar Heels had just 78 total yards. The front four, led by big plays from Stephiylan Green,Will Heldt, and others, won at the line of scrimmage. Linebackers closed gaps quickly, and the secondary kept everything in front of them.
There was another wrinkle from the win in Chapel Hill. For the first time this season, defensive coordinator Tom Allen moved from the booth to the sideline. That shift brought a noticeable spark, Allen’s fire and energy on the field seemed to fuel Clemson’s defense, which played with urgency and edge all afternoon. According to head coach Dabo Swinney, the move was Allen’s own decision, and it paid immediate dividends. Don’t be surprised if Tiger fans see more of Allen on the sidelines, bringing that same passion directly to his players.
That formula travels and it will have to next week at Boston College. The Tigers’ offense may not always explode for four first-quarter touchdowns, but if the defense keeps opponents frustrated and one-dimensional, Clemson will always have a chance.
4. Clean Up Penalties and Execution Lapses
Even in a near-perfect first half, Clemson still got in its own way with penalties, including a brutal 1st-and-40 that nearly killed a drive. Against UNC, it didn’t matter. But in closer games down the road, those moments could swing momentum.
The Tigers must prove they can play clean football for four quarters, not just survive their own mistakes because the other team failed to capitalize.
5. Prove It’s Repeatable
The biggest question facing Clemson now is consistency. The Tigers have flashed in spurts before, only to regress the following week. The win at UNC doesn’t erase earlier struggles, but it gives Clemson a template: start fast, let Klubnik dictate the game, lean on a deep receiver group, and let the defense suffocate opponents.
If that shows up week after week, Clemson could still climb back and make this season a positive. If not, this past Saturday will be remembered as a blip rather than a turning point for the Tigers’ 2025 season.
Bottom Line
Clemson finally looked like Clemson again in Chapel Hill with creativity, explosiveness, and discipline. Now, the challenge shifts from proving they can play that way to proving they will every Saturday. The trip to Boston College offers the first chance to show that the Tigers are more than a one-game spark.
