CLEMSON – The Clemson football team’s hopes for advancing to the next round of the College Football Playoff came to an end this past weekend after losing to the Texas Longhorns, 38-24, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Despite the disappointing outcome, head coach Dabo Swinney remains optimistic about the future of the program. "We've got to improve everywhere if we want to get to the top," he stated after the game, highlighting his commitment to returning the team to championship form. The loss marked the end of the season for the Tigers, who finished with a 10-4 record after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title earlier this year.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik provided a stellar performance, completing 26 of 43 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Swinney praised Klubnik's resilience, saying, "You saw the heart of our quarterback. How 'bout this guy? Just incredible." Klubnik’s effort, though commendable, was not enough to overcome the formidable Longhorns, who were led by quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Ewers executed 17 of 24 passes for 202 yards, contributing to Texas’s successful offensive strategy. Running back Jaydon Blue was particularly impressive, rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Texas's offensive power proved to be too much for the Tigers defensive line, which struggled to contain the Longhorns’ prolific yardage throughout the game.
Reflecting on the season, Swinney believes the loss can serve as motivation moving forward: "This will be just another step in the direction we want to go, to get back to the top of the mountain," he shared. He expressed confidence not only about recruiting but also about using the transfer portal effectively to strengthen the team.
Klubnik echoed the emotional weight of the loss, stating, "I’m hurting a lot. 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." He emphasized the importance of the relationships built during his three years with the team, focusing on the collective experience rather than individual accolades or future plans.
Looking back at the season as a whole, Clemson won the ACC Championship by defeating SMU, showcasing their potential as strong contenders. Even as they face setbacks, Swinney remains committed to building on the progress made: "We were good enough to get to the Playoff, good enough to win the league, but not good enough to win it all. We’ve got a chance to be a really, really good football team and grow and get even stronger."
This loss serves as not just an ending but also as a motivator for the Tigers to analyze their weaknesses and return to the grind with the goal of reclaiming their place among college football’s elite teams.
