CLEMSON – After one half of play, No. 17 Clemson leads Stanford 17-7.

Observations at halftime

– For the third straight game, Clemson scored a touchdown on its first possession, with Cade Klubnik making a 34-yard scoring run on a 3rd-and-10. However, Klubnik wasn’t quite as precise in this game as he had been in two games in the past. He deflected a few deep balls and passed Phil Mafah on a wheel route that was eventually intercepted deep in Stanford territory. The play looked open if Klubnik had thrown it a split second earlier and brilliantly beaten the senior back. The junior signal-caller is just 8 of 16 for 141 yards with one touchdown throw, but was the victim of at least two drops.

– Great scoring drive just before halftime as Klubnik drove the Tigers 54 yards in eight plays. Jake Briningstool capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown catch after two critical drops earlier on the same drive.

– Bryant Wesco continues to show why he was so highly regarded after graduating from high school. The freshman has a 70-yard reception, which came on one of those underhanded balls from Klubnik. If he had been hit in an instant, it would have been an easy touchdown.

– Antonio Williams has four catches, leading all Clemson receivers. He’s regularly the guy Klubnik looks for when the Tigers need a call-up.

– Stanford’s defense came into the game allowing just 2.2 yards per carry, and the first half was no different. Phil Mafah has had very little wiggle room with the handful of carries he has had so far. He finally managed a 26-yard run toward the end of the half, but up to that point he was averaging less than a yard per attempt.

– Stanford was able to move the ball against the Clemson defense, but Daniels threw two interceptions deep into Tigers territory. Both questionable decisions. Jeadyn Lukus came up with one of them, while Avieon Terrell had the other.

– Clemson’s ends once again struggled to stay ahead. The Cardinals have had some success running to the outside, taking advantage of the Tigers’ inexperience at the position. Cade Denhoff and AJ Hoffler still have room for improvement in this area. Stanford had 168 yards on the ground in the first half and averaged seven yards per carry.

– RJ Mickens was everywhere in the first half and has already recorded seven tackles.

A limited number of signed replica street signs by Cade Klubnik are available! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or buy online!