Sun Nov 23 20:20:00 UTC 2025: Clemson Tigers Secure Bowl Eligibility with Dominating Win Over Furman
CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers (6-5) finally clinched bowl eligibility Saturday, defeating the Furman Paladins (6-6) 45-10 in their final 2025 game at Memorial Stadium. After a disappointing season start for the preseason top-5 team, the victory marks Clemson’s 21st consecutive postseason appearance, the latest date the Tigers have achieved bowl eligibility since 2008.
Senior quarterback Cade Klubnik led the charge, connecting with Antonio Williams for two first-half touchdowns. Williams also contributed a season-long 30-yard punt return. Tyler Brown added a rushing touchdown. Freshman quarterback Chris Denson rushed for 106 yards and scored two touchdowns, becoming the first 100-yard rushing quarterback since Trevor Lawrence in 2019.
“Not what we were shooting for coming into the season, but you’ve got to respond to where you are,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We’ve just got to see if we can keep building momentum.”
Despite a stronger second-half showing, Furman’s offense struggled against Clemson’s defense, failing to reach the end zone until the third quarter.
“I was only disappointed in how we finished the game,” Furman coach Clay Hendrix said.
With the win, Swinney is now one win away from tying Joe Paterno and Urban Meyer for the fourth-most victories in the first 20 seasons as a head coach. Clemson now prepares to face in-state rival South Carolina in the annual Palmetto Bowl next Saturday.
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