AUSTIN, Texas – The Clemson Tigers' season came to a bitter end on Saturday night as they fell short against the Texas Longhorns, losing 38-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Though the Tigers' valiant fight kept them close, they couldn't clinch the victory, marking yet another setback for the team this year.
Clemson, seeded 12th, started the game on the right foot, showcasing determination as they took a surprising 7-0 lead early on. Their efforts were spearheaded by junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who returned to his hometown of Austin and threw for 336 yards, the highest by any Texas opponent this season. Klubnik's standout performance included three touchdown passes, driving the Tigers back from an 18-point deficit at halftime.
“I’m hurting a lot,” Klubnik said after the game. “It was fun to come home, but it was not a vacation. It was time to come win a football game, and we didn’t do it.”
Despite Klubnik's personal success, Clemson's defensive struggles continued to plague them throughout the season. They gave up 492 total yards to Texas, which exposed the team's weaknesses. Texas running back Jaydon Blue dashed for 77 yards on the Longhorns' first possession, quickly establishing his dominance on the field.
The contest was defined by a series of ups and downs. The Tigers fought hard to inch their way back, including maneuvering to score two touchdowns, one via a determined fourth-down pass from Klubnik to wide receiver T.J. Moore. “We put ourselves in position to win,” Coach Dabo Swinney noted, praising Klubnik's leadership. “You’re never out of the game with him.”
Yet, as resilient as they were, the Tigers fell short during key moments. Defensively, Clemson couldn’t stop the Texas rushing attack, allowing 292 yards on the ground. They made it to the Texas one-yard line on one drive but didn't convert, which proved to be a significant turning point.
Barrett Carter, Clemson's linebacker and senior leader, reflected on the loss and his career post-game, acknowledging both gratitude for his time at Clemson and disappointment at not winning another national championship. “I want to say a big thank you to all for giving us this platform,” he expressed. “Despite the loss, I’m immensely blessed to call Clemson my home for the last four years.”
Highlights of the game included not just the brave comeback attempts, but also the depth of stories among players, particularly the connections from high school. Klubnik and Texas safety Michael Taaffe were teammates at Westlake High School, where they clinched the 2020 Texas state championship, adding another layer to the intensity of their matchup.
Looking back over the season, Clemson seemed to oscillate between promising moments and dramatic pitfalls. They entered the playoffs with 10 victories and the ACC Championship, but their overall performance against ranked teams highlighted their struggles, finishing with just one win against top-25 teams.
“Good enough to get the playoff. Good enough to win the league. Not good enough to win it all,” Swinney assessed post-game—a sentiment many fans share as they witness Clemson's decline since their championship-winning years.
What does the future hold for Clemson? They will need to address their defensive issues and capitalize on their offensive strengths. The Tigers will return key players like Klubnik and their promising freshman recruits, T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. With their 2025 season opener against LSU looming, fans remain uncertain yet hopeful about their prospects.
“We’ve got to improve in all areas,” Swinney stated, hinting at potential changes within the staff, particularly on the defensive side, aiming for more effective strategies to recapture their relative success.
The 2024 season served as both a potential springboard and cautionary tale for the Tigers. While their playoff appearance reignited some hope, it also underlined the road ahead for Clemson football, needing to reclaim their status among college football’s elite.
Next season will undoubtedly be pivotal for the Tigers as they look to solidify their position and strive for greater heights once again. The path to recovery may be steep, but as history shows, it’s often through the toughest losses where resilience and strength are built.
