No. 8 Clemson erased a 13-point halftime deficit and dominated the final 30 minutes of play to escape what would have been a devastating upset loss to unranked Troy. The Tigers scored 24 unanswered points in the second half as the defense controlled the game and quarterback Cade Klubnik hit his stride after a brutal start.
Clemson’s defense engineered two highlight-worthy interceptions in the second half. Defensive back Ricardo Jones ended Troy’s first drive when he snagged a ball that bounced off of teammate Ashton Hampton’s posterior. Clemson turned that into a 26-yard touchdown strike between quarterback Cade Klubnik and wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. — Klubnik’s first touchdown pass of the year.
One drive later, Clemson defensive back Ronan Hanafin snagged a ball that bounced out of a Troy wide receiver’s hands. Clemson’s defense forced three total turnovers in the second half, including a fourth-down stop near the start of the fourth quarter that officially swung the game in its favor.
Klubnik, who threw a pick-six in the first half, completed seven of his eight second-half pass attempts for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson opens ACC play next week against Georgia Tech.
