Stanford falls to No. 17 Clemson-Stanford Cardinal

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw four touchdowns and ran for another, and the Tigers' defense had three interceptions in a 40-14 win over Stanford on Saturday night.

The Tigers stopped the Cardinal (2-2, 1-1) three times inside the Clemson 20, two on interceptions and the last time when safety RJ Mickens forced Emmett Mosley V out of the game on fourth-and-5 at the Clemson 10. The Tigers have only gained 20-7.

Clemson's defense stopped the Cardinal on downs three times despite giving up 361 yards, including 236 rushing yards.

The Tigers held Stanford to 71 yards through three quarters, with quarterback Ashton Daniels completing just 9 of 19 before he was helped off the field in the fourth quarter after Clemson stopped him short on fourth-and-1.

Moments later, Klubnik tied the score with his final pass, a 34-yard throw to dynamic freshman Bryant Wesco Jr., giving them a 33-7 lead.

Clemson seemed to get off to a fast start again when it forced a fumble on Stanford's first drive and Klubnik scored a 34-yard TD.

But the Cardinal did what Appalachian State and NC State couldn't: He pushed the Tigers' defense to the limit when it mattered most. However, Clemson was unable to break as both drives inside the red zone ended in an interception by Daniels, the first in the end zone by Avieon Terrell and the other inside the Clemson 10 by Jeadyn Lukus.

For the Cardinals, Micah Ford had a breakout game as he rushed for 122 yards on just 15 carries. He was the first Stanford freshman to record over 100 rushing yards since Kenneth Tolon in 2001. Another freshman, Emmett Mosley V, scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 22-yard catch in the fourth quarter and led Stanford with seven receptions.

Stanford's defense gave the Tigers bouts of offense at times in the first three quarters of the game, including an interception by Collin Wright in the second quarter. It's Wright's second interception of the season.

Stanford returns home to play Virginia Tech in its first game on Saturday Festival of Champions Celebration. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT on the ACC Network.