--- title: Clemson Escapes Cal with Win, Now Big Test vs. Miami Looms Large description: Clemson's offense struggled at times but found enough solutions for a 24-10 win at Cal. We analyze the performance with an eye on Miami coming up next. image: https://clemsonkickoff.com/hubfs/clemson-24-cal-10-THUMB-2026.png --- [Skip to content](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-escapes-cal-with-win-now-big-test-vs.-miami-looms-large#main-content) [![Death Valley Intro Outline 2](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png?width=600&height=209&name=Death%20Valley%20Intro%20Outline%202.png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/) - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Recent Episodes](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) - [Tiger Trends](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/tiger-trends) - [Get Alerts](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news-alerts-clemson-sports) - [Podcast](https://goodpods.com/podcasts/reign-supreme-alway-sports-in-clemson-240902) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) # What time is Clemson kickoff?  **• Clemson vs. Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 14, 12:30 p.m., CW • Clemson at Duke, Friday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., ESPN** **• Clemson vs. South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 28, TBD** September 27, 2026 | 6:33 PM # Clemson Escapes Cal with Win, Now Big Test vs. Miami Looms Large [Staff Report](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/author/staff-report) Share: [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-escapes-cal-with-win-now-big-test-vs.-miami-looms-large) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-escapes-cal-with-win-now-big-test-vs.-miami-looms-large) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-escapes-cal-with-win-now-big-test-vs.-miami-looms-large) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-escapes-cal-with-win-now-big-test-vs.-miami-looms-large) Hey, college football fans -- Clemson got an inconvenient head start on CFB Week 4 but pulled out a 24-10 win in the wee small hours at Cal on Friday. The Tigers' need to prioritize the running game, a stated offseason goal by head coach Dabo Swinney in Chad Morris' first year back as offensive coordinator, was on full display as true freshman QB Tait Reynolds managed just 108 yards passing on erratic accuracy (and lost a fumble that served up a touchdown for Cal). The offensive line suffered a blow with an injury to LG Elyjah Thurmon, but Gavin Blanchard appeared to replace him quite capably. The Tigers defense, meanwhile, used tight coverage in the secondary and decent pressure up front to contain touted Cal QB Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele, keeping the Bears offense out of the end zone. Clemson still showed some issues giving up chunk plays on the ground, however. We go into the details and take the smallest of glimpses ahead at the Miami game happening Saturday night in Death Valley. We're glad you found us -- y'all be sure to watch on [YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff](http://youtube.com/clemsonkickoff) so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff! ## [Click here for our free Substack newsletter](https://clemsonkickoff.substack.com/subscribe?next=https%3A%2F%2Fclemsonkickoff.substack.com%2F&utm_source=profile-page&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile&just_signed_up=true) ▫️See bonus analysis that isn't in our podcast    ▫️Get alerts whenever we post new episodes ![2026 schedule horizontal-1](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20schedule%20horizontal-1.png?width=960&height=282&name=2026%20schedule%20horizontal-1.png)   [Reign Supreme Alway podcast](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/tag/reign-supreme-alway-podcast) ## More Clemson Tigers Analysis [![Clemson director of athletics Graham Neff with a decorative backdrop and the headline "Graham Neff on Clemson's Rich Past, Promising Future"](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/graham-neff-clemson-athletics-2026%20(1).png?height=200&name=graham-neff-clemson-athletics-2026%20(1).png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemsons-graham-neff-talks-tradition-money-winning-the-future-and-more) ## [Clemson’s Graham Neff Talks Tradition, Money, Winning, the Future and more](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemsons-graham-neff-talks-tradition-money-winning-the-future-and-more) June 16, 2026 | 6:56 PM All right college sports fans, Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff joins us today to discuss... 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[Read more](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemsons-week-2-win-why-dabo-swinneys-approach-isnt-working-yet) [![Clemson WR commit Trey Wimbley against a decorative backdrop and the headline "Homegrown WR wows scouts"](https://clemsonkickoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/trey-wimbley-clemson-recruiting-THUMB-Commit-preview.png?height=200&name=trey-wimbley-clemson-recruiting-THUMB-Commit-preview.png)](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/trey-wimbley-clemson-recruiting-commit-at-wr-for-tigers-football-2027-analysis) ## [Trey Wimbley, Clemson Recruiting Commit at WR for Tigers Football Class of 2027: Analysis](https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/trey-wimbley-clemson-recruiting-commit-at-wr-for-tigers-football-2027-analysis) August 3, 2026 | 5:11 PM All right college sports fans, wide receiver Trey Wimbley has committed to the Tigers for Clemson... 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