Clemson's Nightmare Opener: 10 Key Takeaways

Shocking Defeat: Clemson's unexpected 28-7 loss to Duke left fans stunned, as they were heavy favorites for the game.

Self-Inflicted Wounds: Clemson's loss was marred by sloppy tackling and turnovers in the red zone, hurting their chances.

[{"selector":"#anim-95dbb640-8473-429b-97bc-df7e3600e574 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9912d11f-b649-4f7d-9d95-e7fbdbec2cc5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc09760d-fc6b-4cfc-9f32-fde2ec19ae0d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 126.35498%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e0726e7-b1f0-4b1a-b795-24f337a5bd79","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c4bdb68-22d4-4377-8df0-f8e01e5c110c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Duke's Strong Performance: Duke played well, but Clemson's mistakes played a significant role in the outcome.

[{"selector":"#anim-0eb0f923-2351-40d6-9fa0-5894b50bbee1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52c0fbe4-f920-46b6-8041-9404a88094b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1529850-0c09-446c-add3-3b2d38dd8208","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-979f4de7-2045-4d8e-a874-6aef454aa97f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c36fbdb2-fcfc-47c0-b129-55fe9823aa39","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 111.72086%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Offensive Disappointment: Clemson's new offensive coordinator, Garrett Riley, didn't live up to the high expectations in the season opener.

[{"selector":"#anim-a1449ea8-bb7f-499b-9861-c49b00890f6d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38903da9-6ee4-40e7-a824-a5f8bee3c740","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-224c5c90-785a-4e8c-8dc9-92ca857de0a2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-952994f6-bef6-4d49-86bd-d5e37aa0933b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a65f03d-995f-4c9a-baab-e32f0747a42a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.70521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Defensive Struggles: Clemson's defense allowed 199 rushing yards and struggled to generate pressure, ending the game without any sacks.

[{"selector":"#anim-7c2f4620-ce8b-4003-b334-b6371b816964 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df054824-5b0f-4b51-8913-303e4a47b24f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e336732b-68f3-4fea-9ee8-4d06ed85a29f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b392dba-b3b4-466f-98d1-bdd84a1971be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b836491-a183-4d6c-b029-bb28411fa010","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.19501%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Underutilized Playmaker: Will Shipley's potential wasn't fully utilized, missing a chance to make him a game-changer.

[{"selector":"#anim-89043741-fed4-40f3-8860-54fb554a350f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8446906-69a7-4129-910d-8c7e95506386","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80436bf3-07af-4911-ac7e-abeab8d6677d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0783dc1-774e-40a9-8763-566c09cdc9aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2536b8fc-8d8b-4d6c-8140-2c761bd9d6be","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.13547%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Need for Self-Reflection: Clemson's coaching staff must reevaluate their game plan and trust in their quarterback, Cade Klubnik.

[{"selector":"#anim-a7be0c29-4fe5-4e96-b692-7869fbd60661 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0116095a-203e-41d1-ac49-110a46be32df","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c66de873-bd88-4660-a0b6-0756a5da2f92","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9fb7b44f-0c54-4ff0-9ec3-3f419fac9011","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-125faf7c-33e8-4a3c-b1a2-9513acf00bc3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.19501%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Lack of Downfield Passing: The Tigers need to take more risks with downfield passes to compete at a higher level.

[{"selector":"#anim-9b64c799-4f13-45c2-9ecc-7dbf3832c3c0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f63aba6-6e72-4f7a-9012-409b8689fb31","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7afa0a7-14a7-44a6-86ce-7d9c088fdee4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5251389-6057-4411-87e1-2715dca98ab9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aef015a4-2688-4ec7-98e0-ddb5ec2319ea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 135.50134%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Putting the Loss Behind: Clemson must regroup and open up their offense in Week 2 to rebound from this disappointing loss.

[{"selector":"#anim-e6e9ddab-b87c-4cee-9320-669fa6800c9c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-88f65121-ad86-442d-8a30-8e0db121a961","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c3087ae-dbc3-4e18-bf80-e531ad04cbd1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25270ff1-0cf1-4f56-b28f-93ce70aa3cc9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c336609-daa3-402d-9d7f-8ed34a5d64f7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 134.89160%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Overall Frustration: The game left Clemson fans and observers frustrated, hoping for a better performance in the future.

[{"selector":"#anim-5d650b3a-f1b0-4d34-ab7a-4bfae02bf4f1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(13.5036496350365%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9f3f8e7-ba63-4bad-a776-489f01436dab","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-473d7f3f-c141-43c5-a2cd-8d7d5c4a7f58","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7b24ad1-cd01-4765-8b7a-a65dae3511cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5d74ae7-2686-4e77-9142-697287036b0a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.19501%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]