Clemson at Pitt: Game Notes

Clemson will face Pitt on the road for the first time in series history on Saturday, Oct. 23 when the Tigers and Panthers meet in a cross-division showdown. Kickoff at Heinz Field is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.

While the contest will represent Clemson’s first road game against the Panthers in series history, it will be Clemson’s second game in Pittsburgh all-time, joining the Tigers’ 34-13 win against Duquesne at Forbes Field in 1947 under Head Coach Frank Howard.

CLEMSON (4-2) AT PITT (5-1)

Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, Pa.
Kickoff Time – 3:30 p.m.
ESPN (Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath)
Live Stats
Listen: Clemson Athletic Network (Don Munson, Tim Bourret & Reggie Merriweather)

Clemson attempting to take a 3-2 lead in its all-time series with Pitt. It would be Clemson’s third consecutive victory in the series.

Clemson and Pitt facing one another in back-to-back years for the first time in history.

Clemson attempting to win its first road game against an opponent in series history for the 20th time all-time. It would be Clemson’s fourth straight victory when facing a team on the road for the first time, joining series road debut wins at Notre Dame in 1979, at Syracuse in 2013 and at Louisville in 2015.

Clemson playing true road games in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2015, when Clemson defeated Miami (Fla.) and NC State on the road in consecutive weeks.

Clemson attempting to improve to 29-3 in true road games since 2015. It would give Clemson victories in 45 of its last 53 games away from home overall.

Clemson playing consecutive games north of the Mason-Dixon Line for only the second time in school history (1952 at Boston College and at Fordham).

Clemson playing its 18th game in an NFL stadium since 2015.

Clemson attempting to improve to 19-9 in NFL stadiums under Head Coach Dabo Swinney and give the Tigers wins in 16 of their last 21 games in NFL stadiums. A win would also push Clemson to 6-2 in AFC venues under Swinney.

Clemson attempting to improve to 35-8 against opponents historically from the ACC Coastal Division, including postseason play, under Head Coach Dabo Swinney. That figure includes games against traditional Coastal opponents in a divisionless season in 2020.
Clemson has won 20 of its last 21 games against the Coastal Division since 2015.

Clemson attempting to improve to 5-2 overall this year and win at least five of the first seven games of a season for an 11th straight year. Clemson’s current 10- year streak of starting 5-2 or better is already the longest streak in school history.

Clemson potentially playing a fifth consecutive one possession game for the first time since the last four games of 2006 and the 2007 season opener. It would be Clemson’s first time doing so in a single season since the first five games of the 2005 season.

Clemson attempting to continue its success against Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. In two all-time games against Pickett in the 2018 ACC Championship Game and in the 2020 regular season, Clemson has held Pickett to 26-of-55 passing (47.3 percent) for 217 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions for a passer rating of 74.2.

Clemson entering the game having surrendered only seven offensive touchdowns this season, the second fewest in the country. Clemson has surrendered only five offensive touchdowns in regulation this season.

Clemson attempting to hold consecutive opponents below 200 yards passing for the second time this season. Clemson held both Georgia and South Carolina State below 200 passing yards in the first two games of the season and held Syracuse to 191 passing yards last week.

Tight end Davis Allen attempting to become the first Clemson player to record at least eight receptions in back-to-back games since Amari Rodgers against Notre Dame and Ohio State last season.

Running back Kobe Pace attempting to rush for a touchdown in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Pace attempting to become the first Clemson player with a rushing touchdown in three straight games since Trevor Lawrence in the final three games of 2020.

Placekicker B.T. Potter (276 career points) needing 12 points to tie or 13 points to pass Obed Ariri (288 from 1977-80) for the ninth-most career points in Clemson history. Potter could also match or pass Ariri for fifth in kicking points in school history.

Wide receiver Justyn Ross (20) needing one receiving touchdown to tie or two receiving touchdowns to pass Mike Williams (21 from 2013-16) for fourth on Clemson’s all-time leaderboard for career receiving touchdowns.

Safety Tyler Venables trying to become the first Clemson player with an interception in consecutive games since Nolan Turner accomplished the feat against Georgia Tech and Syracuse last season.

Will Spiers, Will Swinney and James Skalski each playing in their 63rd career games to extend their school record for most career games played.

Pitt will be the 49th opponent all-time against which Clemson has played a road game. Clemson is 19-26-3 all-time in its first road game against each opponent. However, the Tigers have won each of their last three series road debuts with opponents, winning at Notre
Dame in 1979, at Syracuse in 2013 and at Louisville in 2015.