Cade Klubnik, Clemson football offense sputter in season-opening upset loss at Duke
DURRHAM, N.C. Inauspicious beginning to the 2023 Clemson football season. In a road game against Duke, the No. 9 Tigers were defeated 28-7, snapping a five-game winning run. For the first time since 2004, Clemson had lost to Duke.
The new Clemson offense, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, made its debut, and from the team's first drive, it appeared unbalanced. Jeremiah Lewis of Duke, a safety, nearly intercepted a pass on third down but lost it, ending the five-play, 11-yard first drive.
From that point on, Clemson's offense appeared disjointed. Klubnik frequently threw into double coverage in the beginning, escaped his protection and took a sack in the second quarter, and nearly lost two more passes in the first half. The wide receivers for Clemson struggled to find openings, as the Tigers spent the most of the first half using short screens. On four of their six drives in the first half, they threw a punt.
However, the red zone was where it struggled the most.
Even when Clemson put together drives in the second half, they crumbled when they were in position to score. On consecutive possessions that ended within the Duke 5-yard line, the Tigers fumbled. The first ended with a Blue Devils three-and-out after Klubnik and running back Will Shipley botched a handoff, which Duke recovered. The second, though, was a fumble by running back Phil Mafah that was recovered at the Clemson 33 and led to a Duke touchdown that increased the score to 21-7.
Riley Leonard presents a challenge for the Clemson defense.
Although it didn't appear to be strong, Clemson's defense kept the Tigers in the contest. Riley Leonard, a quarterback with two threats, had its hands full. Riley Leonard gained 98 yards on the ground and threw for 175 more. He had In the third quarter, he gave Duke the lead by breaking off a 44-yard touchdown run after avoiding a close call from defender Barrett Carter.
Despite limiting damage for the majority of the game, the defense's performance fell flat. Duke scored all three of its scores on the ground. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and corner Sheridan Jones each made one tackle for loss for Clemson. In the third quarter, Trotter forced a turnover that Mukuba recovered, but the offense was unable to take advantage.
Both sides' special teams make mistakes
The special teams of Clemson stepped in when the offense struggled to reach the end zone. Duke's Jalon Calhoun, a native of Greenville, fumbled a punt, which was later recovered by linebacker Wade Woodaz. At the Duke 18, that allowed Klubnik and the attack to take control.
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