The Clemson Tigers loss on the road to the No. 23 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers 27-17 on Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field.
The Tigers fall to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play (ACC) and are all but eliminated in the race for the Atlantic Division. Pittsburgh improves to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.
Clemson had their chances throughout the game, especially in the early going, but more often than not, the Tigers offense was plagued by the same issues that they have been experiencing from the outset of the season.
Quarterback play, inconsistent at best and far too often D.J. Uiagalalei struggled to find his play makers. The skill players also did not help Uiagalalei. They had too many dropped balls that were on target and they also had offensive line struggles.
Clemson’s first score of the game was met with mixed emotions because of a significant injury that occurred on the previous play. All-ACC left guard Matt Bockhorst was injured as the Tigers got down to the goal line during the first quarter. After being attended to by the trainers, he had to have assistance to get off the field and was unable to bear any weight on his right leg.
A key sequence in the contest came up early in the second quarter with the Tigers leading 7-0. Clemson had the Panthers on their heels as they were driving, looking to increase their lead by two scores. On 1st and 10 from their own 38 yard line, Uiagalelei hit Will Shipley right in the hands with what should have been an easy score. Instead, Clemson was forced to punt two plays later and the Panthers knotted the score at 7 on the next drive.
Clemson quarterback Uiagalelei, who was 11 of 23 passing for 101 yards and added 36 rushing yards, was benched in the third quarter after throwing two interceptions in the game. Pittsburgh linebacker Sivocea Dennis read a shovel pass and took the interception to the house. That gave the Panthers a two touchdown lead.
Backup quarterback Taisun Phommachanh was inserted into the game to see his first major playing time since throwing 75 yards against FCS South Carolina State. The Tigers backup signal caller led the offense on a field goal drive to cut the score to 21-10 in the third quarter. However, Phommachanh, just months removed from an Achilles injury would not fare much better and just after three offensive series, Uiagalelei checked back into the game. Phommachanh was just 3-7 for 43 yards and used his legs for 15 yards.
There was only one choice for Player of the Game and that was the Panthers QB Kenney Pickett. After the Tigers were able to contain him early, he was able to find his groove late in the second quarter. Once he got comfortable, Pickett was able to shred Clemson’s defense to pieces. Even mor astonishing, he did it with number one pass catcher Jordan Addison, who was on the sidelines for most of the day. Pickett finished with 302 passing yards and hitting on well over 60% of his throws, 25 of 39.
Running back Shipley had 164 all-purpose yards in his return to action and averaged more than five yards per carry on the ground.
Clemson returns home next week hosting the Florida State Seminoles in a 3:30 matchup.
