Clemson gave Charleston Southern almost nowhere to go Saturday. Finding consistency on offense proved more difficult for the Tigers, even in a comfortable victory.
Behind a defense that surrendered just 76 total yards, the Tigers returned from their open date with a 37-0 win at Memorial Stadium. Clemson improved to 4-2, earning their first shutout since beating South Carolina 30-0 in 2021.
Clemson recorded four sacks and a season-high 13 tackles for loss, allowing its fewest yards in a game since holding South Carolina State to 44 in 2016. Charleston Southern dropped to 3-4.
The defensive effort gave Clemson plenty of room to work through another uneven offensive performance. The Tigers accumulated 438 yards, but missed opportunities in the passing game, protection issues and penalties kept the afternoon from becoming a more complete breakthrough.
Tait Reynolds finished 17-of-26 passing for 127 yards and added 40 rushing yards. Backup Trent Pearman threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone.
Chris Johnson Jr. supplied two rushing touchdowns, while Gideon Davidson led Clemson with 59 yards on the ground and scored for the fourth consecutive game.
Most of the scoring came before halftime. Johnson’s first touchdown and Davidson’s 7-yard scoring run helped establish a 17-0 advantage. Johnson later reached the end zone again before Kylon Griffin returned a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for another touchdown, stretching the margin to 31-0.
Nolan Hauser provided the afternoon’s signature moment just before the break, connecting on a 59-yard field goal. Only Spencer Benton’s 61-yarder against Ball State in 2012 ranks ahead of it in Clemson history.
Hauser made all three of his field-goal attempts, adding a 44-yarder early in the fourth quarter after opening the scoring from 41 yards.
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Charleston Southern threatened to spoil the shutout after returning an interception to Clemson’s 30 in the fourth quarter. Consecutive sacks by Vic Burley and Caden Story ended that opportunity.
Clemson reached 30 points for the first time in eight games, although its offense produced just three points after halftime.
The Tigers remain home next Saturday to face Virginia Tech for Homecoming. Kickoff will be at either 7 or 7:30 p.m., with the final time to be announced.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson cruises past Charleston Southern for win after dominant first half