Cade Klubnik threw two touchdown passes in the second half to rally No. 8 Clemson to a 27-16 victory over visiting Troy on Saturday in a game that was delayed for 90 minutes in the first half because of a lightning storm.
Adam Randall carried 21 times for 112 yards and a touchdown as Clemson (1-1) overcame a 16-point deficit against the Sun Belt Conference squad which was gunning for its first-ever upset of a top-10 team.
Klubnik completed 18 of 24 passes for 196 yards and one interception. But after hearing boos in the first half, Klubnik fired both of his touchdown passes to Bryant Wesco Jr., who finished with seven receptions for 118 yards.
Wesco’s play was key as Clemson was without standout receiver Antonio Williams, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Ricardo Jones and Ronan Hanafin also keyed the rally, making interceptions in the third quarter, which the Tigers turned into 10 points.
Goose Crowder completed 19 of 31 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown for Troy (1-1), but his two interceptions, both in Trojans territory, were costly.
Crowder got Troy off to a quick start on its opening possession, completing 4 of 4 passes, including a 44-yard touchdown strike to Tray Taylor to put the Trojans up 7-0.
After Clemson went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, the game was called because of the approaching storm.
When play resumed 90 minutes later, Troy continued to thrive.
On the penultimate play of the first quarter, with Clemson threatening to score, Luke Hodge forced a Randall fumble and Justin Powe scooped the ball and ran 53 yards, setting up a 37-yard field goal by Scott Taylor Renfroe that put Troy up 10-0.
Later in the quarter, Hodge made a big play again when he tipped a Klubnik pass and TJ Thompson caught the fluttering ball at the Clemson 4 and barreled into the end zone for a 16-0 lead.
Clemson got a small measure of momentum late in the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser.
Then in the second half, the Tigers dominated, outgaining Troy in yardage 202-95.
–Field Level Media
