The Clemson Tigers might have found something in their win over North Carolina.
It certainly wasn't easy for the Clemson Tigers, but they emerged with a 28-20 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday in their first ACC matchup of the season.
Clemson fell behind 17-3 in the first half. It dealt with a two-and-a-half hour lightning delay. Dabo Swinney's job may have been on the line.
And the Tigers found a way to rally.
Clemson held North Carolina to just three points in the second half and suddenly found an offensive groove, with running back Gideon Davidson racking up 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and quarterback Tait Reynolds going a solid 20-for-29 with 215 yards, a touchdown and a pick in his first career start.
Was it pretty? No, but the Tar Heels are actually a solid team, and they have a very underrated defense that the Tigers appeared to solve down the stretch.
Make no mistake: this is game that Clemson would have won by three touchdowns during its glory days, but as of right now, at this current point in time, the Tigers just need wins. And they just landed a very big one.
Had Clemson lost on Saturday, heads may have rolled. Swinney was in serious danger entering the affair, and when the Tigers ended up trailing by two touchdowns early on, it was looking like Swinney might get served a pink slip before Week 4.
But Clemson put together a suffocating defensive effort in the passing game, holding Billy Edwards Jr. to 13-of-30 passing. Yes, UNC halfback Benjamin Hall punctured the Tigers for 130 yards on the ground, but Clemson was actually to get key steps when it needed them.
It's still far too early to call the Tigers a good team. This is still the same squad that lost 51-10 to LSU in its season opener and barely beat Georgia Southern in Week 2. But there is also no question that Clemson looked a bit different over the final 30 minutes against Bill Belichick's group.
The Tigers have actually built some momentum here, and if they are able to beat California on the road next Friday, it will set up a pivotal showdown against Miami at home on Oct. 3.
Clemson has a long way to go, but it took steps forward on both sides of the ball on Saturday afternoon. Maybe, just maybe, there is some hope.
