Clemson, SC—Dabo Swinney is one of college football’s best coaches, and Clemson made sure he secured that bag 2 days ago. Clemson Football Coach Dabo Swinney agreed to a new 10-year, $115 million contract, the largest college football coaching contract by total compensation.
DJ Uiagalelei passed for two touchdowns and Will Shipley rushed for two scores to lead FBS fourth-ranked Clemson to a 35-12 victory over Furman in front of a crowd of 78,302 Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. They are 43-10-4 all-time including an active streak of 32 consecutive wins, Clemson’s longest winning streak against any opponent.
Uiagalelei completed 21-for-27 passes for 231 yards and added 36 yards rushing. Clemson rushed for 147 yards on 28 carries, led by Will Shipley, who ran for two more scores for the second-straight game.
Clemson (2-0) scored on its first three possessions to take a 21-3 second-quarter lead.
Furman (1-1) took the ensuing possession and covered 45 yards to the Clemson 28 yard-line, where Huff hit Miller over the middle to the Tiger 12, but the Paladin All-American was stripped of the football and the Tigers’ Fred Davis recovered at the 10-yard line.
Following a Clemson punt, the Paladins didn’t miss on their next opportunity, moving 54 yards in five plays for a 25-yard scoring strike from Huff to Miller, who split a pair of Clemson safeties to reach the pay dirt. A missed PAT made it a 25-9 game with 1:53 remaining in the second half.
The Paladins outgained the Tigers 384-376 and held Clemson to just seven second half points – an Uiagalelei touchdown toss to Beaux Collins with 10:08 to go in the third quarter.
Furman’s Axel Lepvreau’s 30-yard field goal with 48 second remaining in the third period trimmed Clemson’s lead to 25-12,
The Paladins couldn’t convert a couple of fourth quarter scoring opportunities, including a drive to the Clemson 1 yard line, where a fourth-down play that got stuff short of the line of scrimmage.
Furman’s Tyler Huff completed 30-of-39 pass attempts for 256 yards and a touchdown while senior tight end Ryan Miller matched a school record with 13 catches for 95 yards, including a 25-yard scoring reception in the second quarter.
The victory was Clemson’s 19th straight in home openers. The win extended Clemson’s longest winning streak in home openers all-time, ahead of its 17 from 1944-60. The Tigers also ran their home unbeaten streak to a nation-leading 35 in a row.
Clemson’s defense held Furman to 12 points, forced two turnovers and recorded two fourth-down stops. The unit registered nine tackles for loss, upping its total two 19 in two games in 2022. Trenton Simpson and Keith Maguire led the Tigers with eight tackles each, while fellow linebacker LaVonta Bentley had seven stops, including 2.5 for loss.
The victory was Clemson’s 19th straight in home openers. The win extended Clemson’s longest winning streak in home openers all-time, ahead of its 17 from 1944-60. The Tigers also ran their home unbeaten streak to a nation-leading 35 in a row.
Clemson’s defense held Furman to 12 points, forced two turnovers and recorded two fourth-down stops. The unit registered nine tackles for loss, upping its total two 19 in two games in 2022. Trenton Simpson and Keith Maguire led the Tigers with eight tackles each, while fellow linebacker LaVonta Bentley had seven stops, including 2.5 for loss.
Clemson started the game strong with a touchdown on its first three possessions. On the first drive, DJ Uiagalelei found Beaux Collins for a 40-yard pass over the middle, and three plays later, Uiagalelei found Joseph Ngata in the red zone to put Clemson on the one-yard line. Will Shipley finished the job and pushed his way in for a touchdown, capping a seven-play 75-yard drive.
Furman’s Axel Lepvreau kicked a 30-yard field goal on their first possession, but the Tigers had a quick response. The Tigers again marched 75 yards, this time on 11 plays, on a drive that took 5:23. Uiagalelei drifted right and threw a short two-yard pass to Jake Briningstool for a touchdown to cap the drive. But in the 4th quarter, Clemson shut the Paladins’ offense completely down
Clemson’s next game will be played in prime time when the Tigers host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of Family Weekend. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
