Clemson Survive Troy Scare: Clemson's Second-Half Surge Silences Early Doubts

In a game that began with lightning and ended with thunderous applause, No. 8 Clemson overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Troy 27–16 at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers' second-half rally showcased resilience, defensive dominance, and a quarterback redemption arc that may define their season.

A Stormy Start-Literally and Figuratively

Before kickoff, a 92-minute lightning delay set the tone for an unpredictable evening. When play resumed, Troy wasted no time shocking the home crowd. Quarterback Goose Crowder led a five-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 44-yard touchdown strike to Tray Taylor. Minutes later, Troy's TJ Thompson intercepted Cade Klubnik and returned it for a pick-six, giving the Trojans a stunning 16–0 lead.

Clemson looked flat. The offensive line struggled to protect Klubnik, and the Tigers managed just 114 total yards in the first half. Troy's defense, aggressive and disciplined, forced two turnovers and controlled the tempo.

Clemson's Response: Grit Over Glamour

After halftime, Clemson flipped the script. Adam Randall opened the third quarter with a bruising 59-yard drive, finishing it with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Tigers' defense, led by Ricardo Jones and Avieon Terrell, began to suffocate Troy's offense. Jones' interception set up a 26-yard touchdown pass from Klubnik to sophomore standout Bryant Wesco Jr., who later added a 34-yard score to seal the game.

Clemson scored 24 unanswered points in the second half, draining the final 4:24 off the clock with a methodical drive that left Troy gasping for answers.

Clemson head football Coach Dabo Swinney praised his team on the second half comeback.

"Five straight scoring drives. Twenty-seven unanswered points after that pick-six," said Swinney. "That's what champions do. That's what resilience looks like. That's what toughness looks like." ""There's a lot of things that win football games, but two of the things you've got to have are resilience and courage. You've got to have some freaking courage."

Troy Coach Gerad Parker praised his team for their heart, competitiveness, and determination.

"I've been around it enough now and got enough gray in my beard to know what championship teams look like," said Parker of Clemson. "That's a playoff football team if they continue to improve." "For us, there's a little bit more faith and belief in our football team to come over here and play what I believe is a playoff team. For us to go toe-to-toe with it tells you something."

Troy showed early execution and second-half unraveling. Quarterback Goose Crowder led the charge with a solid 19-of-31 passing performance for 223 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown strike to Tray Taylor on the opening drive. Taylor finished with 69 receiving yards, while Eric Conner and Rashad Thomas chipped in with short-yardage grabs to keep drives alive. On the ground, Tae Meadows was effective early, rushing for 76 yards on 18 carries, but Clemson's defensive adjustments in the second half limited his impact.

Clemson Quarterback Cade Klubnik's final line-18-of-24 for 196 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception-belies the rocky start he endured. After throwing a pick-six early, he settled in and led five consecutive scoring drives, spreading the ball to seven different receivers. His favorite target, Bryant Wesco Jr., was electric: 7 catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 34-yard strike that put the game out of reach. On the ground, Adam Randall powered the comeback with 112 rushing yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions to showcase his versatility.

This week, Troy will play the Memphis Tigers on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT) and will be broadcast on ESPNU