App State Mountaineers at Clemson Tigers
· NCAA - FootballCade Klubnik, No. 25 Clemson crank up offense in a 66-20 victory over Appalachian State
“It's electric,” Klubnik said. “It's what we've been doing all fall camp and we got to do it now. It's really fun, kind of let that ball fly. We've got a lot of dudes who can do it."
The Tigers (1-1) got going in a hurry with Bryant Wesco Jr. less than two minutes into the game. Wesco's 52-yard catch took the ball to the 1 and Klubnik followed with the first of two rushing scores.
Things continued going Clemson's way the rest of the half as the Tigers scored touchdowns on all eight of their first-half drives for a 56-13 lead.
“I've seen a lot of dudes come through here,” coach Dabo Swinney said. “We never, ever, ever had a half like that.”
It was a welcome showing for Tigers, who were held to 188 yards in a beatdown by the Bulldogs in the opener. Clemson surpassed that total in the first quarter as Wesco had two catches for 131 yards and Phil Mafah ran for an 83-yard touchdown — Clemson's longest since Travis Etienne ran for a 90-yard score in 2019.
“We never flinched the whole week,” Klubnik said of the Georgia aftermath. “We came back hungry. We've learned a lot last year and learned how to respond.”
Appalachian State (1-1) typically has Power Four programs on high alert, splitting its last six matchups against the bigger boys.
And the Mountaineers came in as favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference this season and perhaps the College Football Playoff's Group of Five bid. But, they could not slow down Clemson and fell to 0-6 all-time against the Tigers.
Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark said his team gave up some uncharacteristic mistakes. But like Clemson's Dabo Swinney said after Georgia, this loss won't define the Mountaineers going forward.
“Right now, we're going to turn this page," Clark said.
Clemson piled up 712 yards, including 525 yards over the first two quarters for the program's first half of 500 or more yards.
Klubnik, who had not thrown a touchdown pass his previous three games, finished 24 of 26 passing and added scoring runs of 2 and 3 yards in the first-half barrage. He was replaced by backup Chris Vizzina in the third quarter.
Tight end Jake Briningstool had touchdown catches of 41 and 17 yards.
Joey Aguilar, picked as Sun Belt preseason offensive player of the year, was swarmed by Clemson's defensive line much of the game. He ended 18 of 41 passing for 214 yards and a touchdown.
The win was Clemson's 799th in program history, moving it one away from becoming the first in the ACC with 800 victories.
Clemson: This is exactly what the Tigers needed after a week of angst and critics following a 34-3 loss to No. 1 Georgia a week ago. Is everything better? Maybe not, but it must feel that way for Clemson's offense with one of its most dominant showings since its last CFP appearance in 2020.
Wesco got his first start Saturday and showed the gamebreaker he can be with his first two catches going for 76 and 52 yards.
Moore joined in with three catches for 44 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
On defense, five-star linebacker Sammy Brown led Clemson with nine tackles.
Clemson: Hosts No. 24 NC State on Saturday, Sept. 21.
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How To Watch
How can I watch App State Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers?
- TV Channel: Mountaineers at Tigers 2021 College Football, week 2, is broadcasted on ACC Network.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Matchup Prediction
Scoring Summary
TD | 1st Period 13:46 | Bryant Wesco Jr. 76 Yd pass from Cade Klubnik (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 9:40 | Cade Klubnik 2 Yd Run (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 7:08 | Phil Mafah 83 Yd Run (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 2:34 | Jake Briningstool 41 Yd pass from Cade Klubnik (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 1:11 | Antonio Williams 29 Yd pass from Cade Klubnik (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 12:58 | Cade Klubnik 3 Yd Run (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 10:39 | Anderson Castle 4 Yd Run (Michael Hughes Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 6:48 | T.J. Moore 33 Yd pass from Cade Klubnik (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
FG | 2nd Period 3:28 | Michael Hughes 36 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 2nd Period 0:54 | Jake Briningstool 17 Yd pass from Cade Klubnik (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
FG | 2nd Period 0:00 | Michael Hughes 35 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 3rd Period 12:31 | Makai Jackson 17 Yd pass from Joey Aguilar (Michael Hughes Kick) | |
TD | 3rd Period 3:10 | Christopher Vizzina 5 Yd Run (Nolan Hauser Kick) | |
FG | 3rd Period 1:51 | Nolan Hauser 36 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
APP | CLEM | |
---|---|---|
24 | 1st Downs | 28 |
4-13 | 3rd down efficiency | 6-12 |
0-0 | 4th down efficiency | 1-3 |
363 | Total Yards | 712 |
214 | Passing | 460 |
18/43 | Comp/Att | 32/39 |
5.0 | Yards per pass | 11.8 |
149 | Rushing | 252 |
27 | Rushing Attempts | 34 |
5.5 | Yards per rush | 7.4 |
7-73 | Penalties | 8-85 |
3 | Turnovers | 1 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
2 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
28:22 | Possession | 31:38 |
Game Information
Location: Clemson, SC
Attendance: 81,500 · Capacity:
Sun Belt - East
TEAM | OVR | CONF |
---|---|---|
Georgia Southern | 5-2 | 3-0 |
Old Dominion | 3-4 | 2-1 |
Marshall | 4-3 | 2-1 |
James Madison | 5-2 | 1-2 |
Coastal Carolina | 4-3 | 1-2 |
App State | 2-4 | 0-3 |
Georgia State | 2-4 | 0-3 |
Sun Belt - West
TEAM | OVER | CONF |
---|---|---|
Louisiana | 6-1 | 3-0 |
UL Monroe | 5-1 | 3-0 |
Texas State | 4-3 | 2-1 |
Arkansas State | 4-3 | 2-1 |
South Alabama | 3-4 | 2-1 |
Southern Miss | 1-6 | 0-3 |
Troy | 1-6 | 0-3 |
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