Instant takeaways: Clemson does enough to win messy, late-night game at Cal
- In Clemson's 2026 win at Cal, freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds threw an interception on a broken-protection flea flicker and lost a fumble under pressure that Cal returned for its only touchdown. These were game turnovers, not an announced quarterback change.
- Clemson's line struggled in pass protection at Cal but opened a season-high 255 rushing yards; Gideon Davidson ran for a career-high 159, including a late 75-yard touchdown, the takeaways report. The contrast is an observed game result, not a permanent run-first shift.
- Clemson's secondary, led by Ashton Hampton and Elliot Washington II, held Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to 119 passing yards; the defense recorded two sacks and two takeaways. This is Friday's game performance, not proof of a new coverage package.
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