Clemsonfootball’s offense finally found its rhythm after a sluggish first month, exploding for 28 first-quarter points in a 38-10 rout of North Carolina on Saturday at Kenan Stadium.
The Tigers (2-3, 1-2 ACC) wasted no time setting the tone. On the game’s opening snap, Antonio Williams threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Moore on a double pass that caught the Tar Heels off guard and instantly shifted momentum. Quarterback Cade Klubnik followed with a near-flawless performance, completing 22 of 24 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns before exiting late in the third quarter. He connected twice each with tight end Christian Bentancur and running back Adam Randall as Clemson piled up 367 yards and 35 points by halftime.
While the offense finally hit its stride, the defense turned in a dominant effort of its own. After allowing a field goal on the opening drive, Clemson completely shut down UNC for the rest of the half. The Tar Heels managed only 78 total yards before the break, just 12 of those on the ground, and were held to minus-5 yards across four straight possessions.
The Tigers’ hot start was enough to bury the Tar Heels early, and the second half turned into a showcase for Clemson’s depth as the team cruised to the win.
Saturday’s victory also extended an unusual historical streak. Clemson has faced two NFL coaching legends in its history and beaten both handily. In 1990, the Tigers routed George Allen’s Long Beach State team 59-0. Against Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels, Clemson added another convincing win, improving to 2-0 in those matchups with a combined score of 97-10.
Clemson stays on the road next week for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Boston College (ACCN). Here’s a look at how X (formerly known as Twitter) reacted to the Tigers’ big win.
Road W 👏🏈 pic.twitter.com/ZEGMm3KkFU
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 4, 2025
after everything that has happened so far this season, this is about as good of a response you could hope for.
We look like Clemson!
— 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 (@D_Rench_) October 4, 2025
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik vs North Carolina:
🐅 22/24
🐅 254 YDS
🐅 4 TDS
🐅 0 INTS@ClemsonFBpic.twitter.com/yU6PVE0m7M— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 4, 2025
Great day to be a Clemson Tiger 🐅 pic.twitter.com/n5US8DknkT
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 4, 2025
UNC fans are LEAVING THE STADIUM in the 2Q down big vs. Clemson 😳 pic.twitter.com/vzdQ7AbQL6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 4, 2025
75-YD TRICK-PLAY TD TO START THE GAME FOR CLEMSON 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/JBy3tGcIZM
— ESPN (@espn) October 4, 2025
Bill Belichick down 28-3 to Clemson. pic.twitter.com/za9jEG0uiz
— The Dawgzilla (@TheDawgzilla) October 4, 2025
ESPN shares an interview with a UNC student going into commercial, with Clemson leading 28-3.
“TCU was… I went to that game. And that was, that was one of the saddest feelings I’ve had in University so far. I’ve failed midterms before, so that’s saying something.” 🏈💀 #CFBpic.twitter.com/RekRjA0cAx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 4, 2025
21 POINTS IN THE FIRST 11 MINUTES WHAT IS GOING ON
ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/bihItt7kvb
— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) October 4, 2025
The Bill Belichick/UNC experimentpic.twitter.com/23dBrSQAKK
— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) October 4, 2025
Make that 4 touchdowns in the 1st quarter for @ClemsonFB ‼️
📺 @espnpic.twitter.com/fuf2iZqmrW
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 4, 2025
North Carolina is so bad that it allowed Clemson to score 28 points in the 1st quarter.
Clemson hadn’t scored 28 points in any of its first four games.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 4, 2025
You can’t do the “this is what happens when Clemson plays North Carolina” thing because I watched Clemson play Troy and it didn’t look remotely close to this
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) October 4, 2025
Here’s what’s left of the “student section” at UNC as Clemson leads 38-10 with less than five minutes to go.@abc_columbiapic.twitter.com/qrMu5K3456
— Noah Chast (@NoahChastTV) October 4, 2025
Cade Klubnik is only the second quarterback at the college or NFL level ever to throw four touchdown passes in a single half against a team led by Bill Belichick as a head coach. Patrick Mahomes threw four second-half touchdowns against Belichick’s Patriots on Oct. 14, 2018.
— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) October 4, 2025
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 4, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Social media reacts to Clemson’s beatdown of North Carolina
