By Garin Turner
The No. 8 Clemson Tigers (0-1) look to rebound from a 17-10 loss to then-No. 9 LSU as they host the Troy Trojans (1-0) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network. Troy is coming off a 38-20 win over Nicholls.
The Tigers’ offense sputtered in the opener. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards with one interception. The ground game managed just 31 yards on 20 attempts. Adam Randall contributed five carries for 16 yards and the team’s lone touchdown. Through the air, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, and Tyler Brown each hauled in four receptions. Wesco led the group with 66 yards, Moore added 55, and Brown finished with 43.
Clemson’s defense kept the game close, forcing two fumbles but recording just one sack. Will Heldt tallied the sack along with three tackles. Ronan Hanafin paced the defense with 12 tackles (six solo), one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. Freshman linebacker Sammy Brown added 11 tackles (eight solo) and one tackle for loss.
Troy leaned on running back Tae Meadows, who powered the offense with 186 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Goose Crowder added 43 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, while also completing 14 of 24 passes for 144 yards and three scores.
Defensively, the Trojans racked up four sacks, courtesy of Devin Lafayette, Jah-Mal Williams, Donnie Smith, and Luis Medina. Jordan Stringer led the unit with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Next Game
No. 8 Clemson at Georgia Tech — Sept. 13 Troy vs. Memphis — Sept. 13
