The first half of Clemson's season-opening win against Georgia Tech caused concern, and the second half sparked optimism. Against Furman, the Tigers flipped the script. After an impressive first half against the Paladins, Clemson slogged through the second.
The Paladins outgained Clemson 176-70 in the second half.
Here are our in-game observations of the No. 4-ranked Tigers' 35-12 victory on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
6:30 p.m.| Clemson football calls off the dogs
With a 23-point lead and less than 38 minutes remaining on the game clock, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney pulled the first-team offense.
Freshman Cade Klubnik, who appeared in one series in the first half, returned at quarterback. D.J. Uiagalelei finished 21-for-27 for 231 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
The Tigers got a first down on a pass interference penalty, but then punted.
Furman also put in its reserves and the game ended with no further scoring.
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6:28 p.m.| Defense saves Clemson football some embarrassment
A muffed punt return by Clemson's Will Taylor gave Furman a second chance and a short field. Starting with the ball at the Tigers' 45, the Paladins drove inside Clemson's 10-yard before two plays by linebacker LaVonta Bentley slowed the momentum.
Tyler Huff then passed to Joshua Harris, who shook off a hard shot and reached the 1. On fourth down and with Furman going for a touchdown, Clemson's Justin Mascoll stonewalled a Furman run for a 1-yard loss, giving the ball back to the Tigers' offense.
6:20 p.m.| Clemson football makes special teams mistake
After stopping Furman and forcing a punt at the Paladins' 28, Clemson immediately gave the ball back.
Will Taylor muffed the catch at the 41, and it bounced 4 yards backward and recovered by Furman's Justin Hartwell at the 45.
6:04 p.m. | Clemson football's D.J. Uiagalelei throws first interception
The third quarter ended with a turnover for Clemson.
On the Tigers' second play after Furman's field goal that cut the lead to 35-12, D.J. Uiagalelei threw a pass to Brannon Spector that the receiver couldn't handle. It bounced off one of his hands and into the arms of Furman defensive back Kam Brinson.
It was Uiagalelei's first interception of the season after 55 passes.
End of 3rd quarter: Clemson 35, Furman 12
5:57 p.m.| Furman gets third score on Clemson football
While the pace and execution slowed in the third quarter, Furman closed it with its third score against Clemson.
The Paladins drove 33 yards in 10 plays and cut into their deficit with Axel Lepvreau's 30-yard field goal.
Furman has 284 yards through three quarters, including 189 passing.
3rd quarter: Clemson 35, Furman 12, 0:48
5:38 p.m. | Clemson football's Will Shipley flashes skills on first series of second half
Two games into his sophom*ore season, Will Shipley's career statistics aren't eye-popping. An injury and crowded running back room have played a role. But on the first drive of the third quarter, he flashed the attributes that will bring him accolades.
He carried three times for gains of 10, 13 and 18 yards. He shifted course and gears and his hips, denying Furman defenders a good shot at tackles.
What he started, D.J. Uiagalelei finished. After showing zip on his passes in the first half, Uiagalelei lofted a back-shoulder pass to Beaux Collins in the right corner of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown.
3rd quarter: Clemson 35, Furman 9, 10:08.
4:56 p.m.| D.J. Uiagalelei leads Clemson football to a quick score late in half
Feeling much less pass rush pressure from Furman's defense than against Georgia Tech, D.J. Uiagalelei has had an excellent first half. He finished 15-for-18 for 203 yards with a touchdown and has been accurate on the downfield passes with which he struggled for much of 2021.
He led the Tigers on an impressive two-minute drill drive, moving 75 yards on nine plays in 1 minute, 27 seconds.
Kobe Pace scored on a 1-yard run.
2nd quarter: Clemson 28, Furman 9, 0:26.
4:46 p.m.| Clemson football defense gives up touchdown to Furman
Furman isn't having much trouble against Clemson's acclaimed defense.
Paladins quarterback Tyler Huff completed a 25-yard pass to Ryan Miller for a touchdown that completed a five-play, 54-yard drive. Furman missed the point-after try.
Furman has 207 yards total offense, only 24 less than Clemson, and is averaging 8 yards per play.
2nd quarter: Clemson 21, Furman 9, 1:53.
4:39 p.m.| Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik enters for Clemson football
Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik, who impressed in his late-game debut against Georgia Tech, got a much earlier opportunity against Furman.
Entering at the 5:33 mark of the second quarter, Klubnik handed off to Kobe Pace twice for 13 yards, then missed his only pass and rushed twice, for no gain and then for a 2-yard loss.
Clemson punted away.
2nd quarter: Clemson 21, Furman 3, 3:08.
4:35 p.m.| Clemson football defense comes up with a big play
Though it hasn't dominated Furman as expected, Clemson's defense came up with a big play to thwart a scoring opportunity for the Paladins.
Furman drove 63 yards on eight plays on its first full possession of the second quarter, but Malcolm Greene forced a fumble after the Paladins' Ryan Miller caught a 16-yard pass from Tyler Huff, and Fred Davis recovered at the 12.
2nd quarter: Clemson 21, Furman 3, 5:33.
4:24 p.m.: D.J. Uiagalelei, Will Shipley keep Clemson football offense on a roll
You have to qualify the praise because the opponent is an FCS program, but D.J. Uiagalelei is off to a much more impressive start against Furman than against Georgia Tech in the opener.
His passes have been sharp, leading the receivers in stride on all but a couple of passes. His size -- listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds -- has shown as well, particularly shrugging off would-be tacklers for a 15-yard run and a would-be sack to complete a pass. He is 11-for-12 for 148 yards passing and has 25 yards rushing on three carries.
Will Shipley scores on a 17-yard run, his second touchdown of the game. For the sixth time in his 12 college games, Shipley has multiple touchdowns.
2nd quarter: Clemson 21, Furman 3, 9:10.
4:14 p.m.: Sparked by offense, Clemson in control after first quarter vs. Furman
Clemson has scored on both of its possessions in the first quarter, compiling 155 yards on 18 plays, an average of 8.6 yards per play.
Not really surprising against an FCS opponent.
What may be surprising is the Furman offense's ability to move the ball against Clemson's defense, considered one of the best in FBS. The Paladins have moved 81 yards in 11 plays, an average of 7.4 yards per play.
End of 1st quarter: Clemson 14, Furman 3
4:04 p.m.: Clemson football having no struggle with Furman defense
Though Clemson has been careful to put "or" between Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah on the depth chart, Mafah has most frequently described as the No. 3. Yet Mafah joined the huddle on Clemson's second possession, subbing for starter Will Shipley. He carried five times for 20 yards in the drive.
D.J. Uiagalelei, who has had a much easier time reading his receiver options on pass plays, tossed a short pass to tight end Jake Briningstool for a 2-yard touchdown.
1st quarter: Clemson 14, Furman 3, 2:35
3:53 p.m.: Furman counters Clemson football's opening score
After losing his helmet while being sacked on his first pass attempt, Furman quarterback Tyler Huff burns Clemson's defense for 28- and 27-yard completions. The plays set up a 30-yard field goal by Axel Lepvreau.
1st quarter: Clemson 7, Furman 3, 7:58.
3:48 p.m.: Clemson football will be key without defensive player against Furman
The Tigers reported one key absence for the game:
OUT OF ACTION: Clemson football without injured All-ACC defensive tackle Tyler Davis against Furman
3:40 p.m.: Clemson football scores on first drive
Clemson opens with two deep passes on its first drive -- D.J. Uiagalelei throwing 40 yards to Beaux Collins and 26 yards to Joseph Ngata -- before a 1-yard touchdown run by Will Shipley for a 7-0 lead at 11:46.
1st quarter: Clemson 7, Furman 0, 11:46
What time, channel is Clemson football game on?
What: Clemson football vs. Furman
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Radio/Internet: WCCP / theroarfm.c
Clemson football vs. Furman Paladins: live score updates
A Twitter List by ToddShanesySHJ
Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football score vs Furman: Live game updates in Tigers' home opener
