The fallout from Clemson’s disappointing 28-20 double-overtime loss at Miami has drawn a lot of criticism on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers were unable to make the plays needed late to protect their 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
One could point to several missed opportunities down the stretch, but it was the Tigers’ final offensive play that stood out the most. Clemson faced a fourth down from the 1-yard line on the second possession of double overtime. Quarterback Cade Klubnik faked a handoff and tried to beat the Miami defense at the rim. He was almost immediately hit by Miami linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. and rushed back 8 yards for the game-winning tackle.
The fact that Klubnik chose to make a play himself instead of allowing running back Will Shipley to move the pile forward the needed 1 yard caused much confusion among Clemson fans. As it turns out, the play call wasn’t an RPO (run-pass option), quarterback keeper, or zone read. Klubnik was supposed to hand it to Shipley, but decided to do it himself.
“No, it was a 100 percent handoff and we didn’t hand it off,” Swinney told 247Sports after the game. “[Klubnik] I just pulled it. I have no answer. I mean, I’m just trying to do too much.
Klubnik confirmed the play call to reporters after the game, noting that he was “just trying to make a play” and took full responsibility for the failed fourth down, noting that he would “call it 10 times out of 10.” if he had done the playback again.
This isn’t the first time Clemson has struggled with offensive execution in key moments of close games. The Tigers also had a losing lead and overtime losses in their loss to Florida State earlier this season. At 4-3, Clemson now faces a remaining schedule that still includes Notre Dame, North Carolina and South Carolina with little margin for error to achieve bowl eligibility. For a program that has won seven of the last eight ACC championships and was selected to do so again early in the season, competing for a bowl game is a major loss.