The clemson tigers football vs texas longhorns football match player stats tell the story of a dominant Texas performance in Austin, where the fifth-seeded Longhorns defeated the 12th-seeded Tigers 38-24 in the College Football Playoff First Round. Running backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combined for 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three scores in a valiant but unsuccessful homecoming.
Table of contents
- Offensive Leaders: Complete Statistical Breakdown
- Texas Ground Attack Dominates College Football Playoff Stage
- Klubnik’s Historic Homecoming Falls Short
- Quinn Ewers Manages the Victory
- Tight End Gunnar Helm Sets School Record
- Team Statistical Comparison
- Defensive Standouts
- The Critical Second Quarter That Decided the Game
- Clemson’s Second Half Rally
- Fourth Down Battles Define the Finish
- Injury Concerns Cloud Texas Victory
- Historical Context and Playoff Implications
- The Numbers That Matter Most
- Expert Analysis: What Made the Difference
- Looking Back at the Decisive Moments
- Final Thoughts
Offensive Leaders: Complete Statistical Breakdown
Texas Longhorns Offensive Stats
| Player | Position | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinn Ewers | QB | 17/24, 202 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 11 yards | – |
| Jaydon Blue | RB | – | 14 carries, 146 yards, 2 TD | Multiple receptions |
| Quintrevion Wisner | RB | – | 15 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD | Multiple receptions |
| Gunnar Helm | TE | – | – | 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD |
| Matthew Golden | WR | – | – | 1 catch, 43 yards |
Clemson Tigers Offensive Stats
| Player | Position | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Klubnik | QB | 26/43, 336 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT | Multiple carries | – |
| T.J. Moore | WR | – | – | 9 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD |
| Antonio Williams | WR | – | – | 1 catch, 22 yards, 1 TD |
| Jarvis Green | RB | – | – | 1 catch, 25 yards, 1 TD |
| Adam Randall | WR/RB | – | 4 carries, 44 yards | – |
| Phil Mafah | RB | – | Limited carries (shoulder injury) | – |
Texas Ground Attack Dominates College Football Playoff Stage
The Longhorns rushed for 292 total yards on 29 combined carries from their running back duo, achieving a feat not seen in 25 years. According to statistician Greg Harvey from Opta Stats, Blue and Wisner both recorded at least 110 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and multiple receptions in the same postseason game, something no other FBS duo has accomplished in a quarter-century.
Breaking Down the Running Game
Jaydon Blue’s Breakout Performance
Blue’s 146-yard performance set a career high, highlighted by touchdown runs of 38 and 77 yards. The 77-yarder came at a critical moment in the fourth quarter after Clemson had cut the deficit to 31-24. He dove into the line, shook a tackler, and outraced three defenders to the end zone.
“It was a sigh of relief after everything I’ve been going through,” Blue said. “I stayed patient, I saw a crease and it was everything open from there.”
The junior running back had battled through an ankle injury sustained against Michigan and subsequent fumble problems that limited his opportunities during the middle of the season. His performance marked his 11th and 12th touchdowns of the season.
Quintrevion Wisner’s Complementary Excellence
Wisner tallied 110 yards on 15 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt. He scored on runs of 3 and 16 yards, both coming in the first half when Texas built its commanding lead. The sophomore was held out of the second half as a precautionary measure after suffering a knee injury.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized the running game’s importance afterward: “The story of the game, I think, obviously, is us finding the run game offensively, to have two 100-yard rushers in the game and establishing ourselves on the ground to create balance offensively, I thought, was critical to the game.”
Klubnik’s Historic Homecoming Falls Short
Cade Klubnik returned to his hometown of Austin and carved up the Texas secondary for 336 passing yards, the most allowed by the Longhorns defense all season. The junior quarterback completed 26 of 43 passes with three touchdowns and one interception, orchestrating a furious second-half rally that gave Clemson multiple opportunities to overtake Texas.
Klubnik’s Touchdown Connections
The Austin Westlake product found the end zone three times:
- 22-yard strike to Antonio Williams in the first quarter
- 25-yard touchdown to Jarvis Green in the third quarter
- 7-yard scoring pass to T.J. Moore in the fourth quarter
T.J. Moore emerged as Klubnik’s primary target, hauling in 9 receptions for 116 yards. The sophomore wide receiver’s fourth-quarter touchdown came on a critical fourth-and-six conversion that pulled Clemson within seven points at 31-24.
“I’m hurting a lot,” Klubnik admitted 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 that.”
The High School Connection Adds Extra Flavor
The matchup carried additional significance beyond playoff implications. Klubnik and Texas linebacker Jake Taaffe were teammates at Westlake High School when they won the 2020 Texas state championship. Their opponent that day? Current Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
“We were definitely sharing words back and forth, that was fun,” Taaffe said. “He’s a great guy, he had a great game.”
Another Westlake teammate, Texas defensive end Ethan Burke, sacked Klubnik in the first half, adding to the reunion atmosphere at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Quinn Ewers Manages the Victory
While the running game stole the spotlight, Ewers delivered an efficient performance completing 17 of 24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. He started the game by completing his first eight passes and finished with just one interception.
Key Passing Statistics
| Quarter | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Half | 11/14 | 148 | 1 | 1 |
| Second Half | 6/10 | 54 | 0 | 0 |
Ewers’ most important completion came with 28 seconds remaining in the first half. After keeping a drive alive with an 11-yard scramble to the Clemson 26-yard line, he found Gunnar Helm in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown that extended Texas’ lead to 28-10 heading into halftime.
Tight End Gunnar Helm Sets School Record
Helm’s six-catch, 77-yard performance included a crucial touchdown and continued his record-breaking season. The senior tight end now has 55 catches on the season, surpassing the previous school record of 54 set by J.T. Sanders last season.
His 19-yard touchdown reception showcased his athleticism as he reached high and still managed to get both feet down in the end zone despite tight coverage.
Team Statistical Comparison
Overall Numbers
| Category | Clemson | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 412 | 494 |
| Rushing Yards | 65 | 292 |
| Passing Yards | 336 | 202 |
| First Downs | 20 | 26 |
| Third Down Conversions | 3/12 | 6/12 |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/3 | 1/4 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 5-65 | 2-10 |
| Time of Possession | 27:03 | 32:57 |
Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Clemson | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| First | 7 | 7 |
| Second | 3 | 21 |
| Third | 7 | 3 |
| Fourth | 7 | 7 |
| Final | 24 | 38 |
Defensive Standouts
Texas Defense
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | 9 (7 solo) | 0 |
| Bill Norton | DL | – | 1 |
| Colin Simmons | Edge | – | 1 interception |
| Barryn Sorrell | Jack End | – | 1 pass breakup leading to INT |
The Longhorns defense made two critical goal-line stands in the fourth quarter. After Clemson drove to the Texas 1-yard line following a roughing the passer penalty, the defense stuffed consecutive runs to force a turnover on downs with 7:24 remaining.
“We’ve got big people,” Sarkisian said. “And they know how to play a physical brand of football.”
Clemson Defense
| Player | Position | Tackles | Notable Plays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sammy Brown | LB | 10 (6 solo) | Team leader |
| Tr̩ Williams | DL | Р| 2 sacks |
| RJ Mickens | Safety | – | 1 interception (negated by penalty) |
The Tigers defense held Texas to a field goal after stopping them at the 1-yard line midway through the third quarter, keeping the game within reach.
The Critical Second Quarter That Decided the Game
Texas outscored Clemson 21-3 in the second quarter, transforming a 7-7 tie into a commanding 28-10 halftime advantage. The Longhorns rushed for 121 yards on 15 carries during the decisive frame.
Second Quarter Scoring Drives
Texas Touchdown Drive #1 (12:49)
- 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:04
- Capped by Jaydon Blue’s 38-yard touchdown run
Texas Touchdown Drive #2 (7:26)
- 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:57
- Set up by Quinn Ewers’ 43-yard pass to Matthew Golden
- Finished with Quintrevion Wisner’s 16-yard touchdown
Clemson Field Goal (1:33)
- 7 plays, 40 yards, 1:07
- Nolan Hauser connected from 32 yards
Texas Touchdown Drive #3 (0:28)
- 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:05
- Quinn Ewers to Gunnar Helm for 19 yards
Clemson’s Second Half Rally
The Tigers refused to surrender quietly, scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions spanning the third and fourth quarters to climb back into contention.
The Comeback Attempt Timeline
3:29 Third Quarter Klubnik to Jarvis Green for 25 yards (4 plays, 55 yards) Score: 31-17
11:43 Fourth Quarter Klubnik to T.J. Moore for 7 yards on fourth-and-six (10 plays, 64 yards) Score: 31-24
This touchdown made it a one-score game and gave Clemson legitimate hope of completing the comeback. However, Blue’s 77-yard touchdown run on the very next possession extinguished those hopes.
Fourth Down Battles Define the Finish
Both teams faced critical fourth-down decisions in the fourth quarter that ultimately determined the outcome.
Clemson’s Fourth Down Results:
- Successful: Klubnik to T.J. Moore for touchdown (fourth-and-six)
- Failed: Keith Adams Jr. stuffed at the Texas 1-yard line
- Failed: Incomplete pass at the Texas 26 with 1:08 remaining
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney reflected on his team’s effort: “We just got ourselves in too big a hole in the first half. Everything was uphill. We just put it in Cade’s hands and let it rip.”
Injury Concerns Cloud Texas Victory
Despite the convincing win, Texas sustained several injuries that could impact their quarterfinal matchup against Arizona State:
- Quintrevion Wisner: Knee injury (held out of second half as precaution)
- Cam Williams: Starting right tackle, knee injury requiring overnight testing
- Jake Majors: Starting center, held out of second half for precautionary reasons
The offensive line adjustments forced position coach Kyle Flood to lean on his depth. Senior left guard Hayden Conner slid to center, replaced by junior Cole Hutson.
Historical Context and Playoff Implications
This marked the first-ever meeting between Texas and Clemson in football history, pitting two programs with a combined 1,767 all-time victories. The game was played in front of 101,150 fans at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, the largest crowd to witness a first-round College Football Playoff game.
What It Means Moving Forward
For Texas (12-2):
- Advanced to face Arizona State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1, 2025
- Bounced back from their SEC Championship loss to Georgia
- Proved their rushing attack could dominate against quality opposition
- Only team from last season’s four-team playoff to make the expanded 12-team field
For Clemson (10-4):
- Season ends despite winning the ACC Championship
- Seventh College Football Playoff appearance ends in the first round
- Klubnik’s decision to return for his senior season now looms large
- Will attempt to defend their ACC title in 2025
Sarkisian praised the expanded playoff format: “It’s not easy to get on this stage again, and they earned it. I think college football got this one right. This idea of a home playoff game with a 12-team format was pretty special.”
The Numbers That Matter Most
Looking at the clemson tigers football vs texas longhorns football match player stats reveals several decisive factors beyond the final 38-24 score:
Texas Dominated Time of Possession: The Longhorns controlled the ball for 32:57 compared to Clemson’s 27:03, consistently moving the chains and keeping the Tigers’ offense on the sideline during crucial stretches.
Ground Game Disparity: Texas rushed for 292 yards while holding Clemson to just 65 yards on the ground. Phil Mafah, battling a shoulder injury that will require offseason surgery, managed only limited carries as the Tigers’ ground game never found rhythm.
Critical Third Downs: Texas converted 50% of their third downs (6/12) while Clemson converted just 25% (3/12), forcing the Tigers into more difficult fourth-down situations.
Explosive Plays: Blue’s touchdown runs of 38 and 77 yards represented the type of game-breaking explosiveness that Clemson couldn’t match, despite Randall’s 41-yard run in the second quarter.
Expert Analysis: What Made the Difference
The clemson tigers football vs texas longhorns football match player stats demonstrate how Texas’ physical dominance in the trenches dictated the game’s outcome. The Longhorns offensive line created consistent running lanes while the defensive front pressured Klubnik into hurried throws.
Clemson defensive coordinator’s gameplan struggled to contain Texas’ zone-running schemes, particularly the pin-and-pull concepts that got athletic linemen into space against smaller defenders. The Tigers’ inability to generate consistent pressure on Ewers allowed the Texas quarterback to operate comfortably in play-action situations.
The second-quarter explosion proved insurmountable despite Klubnik’s heroics. By the time Clemson adjusted defensively and began generating stops, they were playing catch-up against a Texas team that could lean on its running game and drain clock.
Looking Back at the Decisive Moments
Three plays stand as turning points that shifted momentum irreversibly toward Texas:
- Blue’s 38-yard touchdown early in the second quarter broke a 7-7 tie and established Texas’ ground-game dominance
- The Helm touchdown with 28 seconds in the first half extended the lead to 28-10, forcing Clemson to abandon their gameplan
- Blue’s 77-yard touchdown immediately after Clemson cut it to 31-24 crushed the Tigers’ comeback hopes
Each play showcased Texas’ superior speed and physicality in the open field, attributes that proved decisive in playoff football.
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Final Thoughts
The clemson tigers football vs texas longhorns football match player stats paint a picture of a game that was closer than the final score suggests yet never truly in doubt after halftime. Klubnik’s 336 passing yards demonstrated his NFL-caliber talent, but without complementary support from the running game and facing a Texas team that dominated the line of scrimmage, even his homecoming heroics couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Texas proved it belongs among college football’s elite with a complete performance that featured explosive rushing, efficient passing, timely defense, and crowd-energizing special teams. The Longhorns advance with momentum and confidence, having exorcised the demons of their SEC Championship loss just two weeks earlier.
As for Clemson, they exit with heads held high, having won the ACC Championship and pushed a superior opponent in the second half. The Tigers’ future remains bright with Klubnik returning for his senior season, though questions about their ability to compete with college football’s new power structure will linger until they prove otherwise.
The numbers don’t lie: Texas rushed for 292 yards, controlled possession for nearly 33 minutes, and made critical stops when needed most. That’s championship-caliber football on the sport’s biggest stage.
