Clemson plays Louisville tonight: Kick time, TV channel, injuries, score

Clemson football is closing out its ACC schedule on the road.

Here’s your gameday guide for the Tigers’ Friday night game at No. 20 Louisville, with the Tigers needing to win two of their last three games to make a bowl.

Clemson vs. Louisville game, TV info

• Who: Clemson (4-5, 3-4 ACC) at No. 20 Louisville (7-2, 4-2 ACC)
• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
• Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
• TV: ESPN
• Broadcast crew: Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, Paul Carcaterra
• Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
• Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)
• Satellite radio: SiriusXM Channel 371
• Series history: Clemson leads 8-1; Louisville won last meeting

Clemson vs. Louisville Vegas odds

Louisville is favored by three points against Clemson, per the VegasInsider.com consensus betting line. The point spread opened at Louisville -2.5 and has ticked up slightly. This is Clemson’s first time as a betting underdog this year.

ESPN gives Louisville a 54.9% chance of winning.

Weather forecast for Louisville, Ky.

Expect a cool and crisp Friday night in Louisville. The forecast, per Weather.com, is a low of 57 degrees with a few clouds and light winds. There’s a 12% chance of rain.

Top storylines for the game

• Clemson and Louisville released their second ACC availability reports for the game Thursday night. Clemson ruled out starting defensive tackle Stephiylan Green (he was initially questionable), and starting defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and safety Ricardo Jones are probable for the game. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (quad contusion) was not listed on the report and is good to go. Louisville listed starting running back Isaac Brown as out (which was expected) and starting corner Tayon Holloway as questionable. Linebacker Stanquan Clark is probable.

• Clemson seriously boosted its bowl eligibility chances after beating Florida State last week. The Tigers entered the game at 3-5, but their win over FSU improved their chances of reaching six wins from 37.5% to 70.9% in ESPN’s metrics, and from 15% to 68% in Pro Football Focus’ metrics. A big part of that calculus: Clemson still has its annual cupcake game against an in-state FCS team remaining on the schedule (Furman). Reaching six wins would still involve beating either No. 20 Louisville or South Carolina (both on the road).

• After a rough start to his senior season, Klubnik has rounded into form down the stretch. It’s too little, too late for Clemson’s expected Heisman Trophy contender, but he’s been playing clean football as of late — and avoiding turnovers. Klubnik, per Clemson, has the nation’s third-best pass efficiency rating since Oct. 1 among qualifying quarterbacks. Klubnik is 3-1 in four starts since October, completing 77.8% of his passes for 285 yards per game and eight touchdowns against one interception. He’s also been more effective as a runner, though recent ankle and thigh injuries have limited his mobility. Klubnik has not been picked off in 108 pass attempts. Can he deliver a signature win Friday?

• Louisville quarterback Miller Moss struggled against Cal last week, to the point where coach Jeff Brohm would not explicitly commit to Moss as the starter against Clemson. But regardless of who lines up under center against Clemson, UL has a heck of a running back group to lean on. Star sophomore Brown (782 yards, 8.6 yards per carry) won’t play against the Tigers. But his backup, Keyjaun Brown, has stepped right in and gone for 457 yards and six touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry. Louisville averaged 7.8 yards per carry against Clemson last year. The defensive unit has improved a lot under Tom Allen, but it’ll be tested in a big way.

Clemson vs. Louisville players to watch

Clemson TE Christian Bentancur: Redshirt freshman has emerged as a legit receiving option in limited snaps. Bentancur is averaging 14.3 yards per catch.

Clemson DB Corian Gipson: Elevated to a co-starting role at nickelback after a strong game vs. FSU, Gipson is a tough and physical redshirt freshman.

Louisville WR Caullin Lacy: Clemson has struggled to defend speed this year. Lacy fits the bill. UL’s starting slot receiver, kick returner and punt returner is sixth nationally and leads the ACC with an average of 128.6 all-purpose yards per game.

Louisville LB TJ Quinn: Leads the team with 67 tackles; also has two interceptions.

Clemson 2025 football schedule

Listed with known kickoff times and TV channels

• Aug. 30: vs. No. 9 LSU, L 17-10
• Sept. 6: vs. Troy, W 27-16
• Sept. 13: at Georgia Tech, L 24-21
• Sept. 20: vs. Syracuse, L 34-21
• Sept. 28: OFF WEEK
• Oct. 4: at UNC, W 38-10
• Oct. 11: at Boston College, W 41-10
• Oct. 18: vs. SMU, L 35-24
• Oct. 25: OFF WEEK
• Nov. 1: vs. Duke, L 46-45
• Nov. 8: vs. Florida State, W 24-10
• Nov. 14: at No. 14 Louisville/Friday game, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
• Nov. 22: vs. Furman, 4:30 p.m. (The CW)
• Nov. 29: at South Carolina, noon (ESPN or ABC)

Clemson 2025 football depth chart

As of Nov. 10

Offense

QB: Cade Klubnik (Christopher Vizzina)

RB: Adam Randall (David Eziomume OR Gideon Davidson)

Outside WR: T.J. Moore (Cole Turner)

Outside WR: Tristan Smith OR Cole Turner

Slot WR: Antonio Williams (Tyler Brown)

TE: Olsen Patt-Henry (Josh Sapp OR Christian Bentancur)

LT: Tristan Leigh (Brayden Jacobs)

LG: Collin Sadler OR Harris Sewell (Ronan O’Connell)

C: Ryan Linthicum (Harris Sewell)

RG: Walker Parks (Ronan O’Connell)

RT: Blake Miller (Mason Wade)

Defense

DE: Will Heldt OR Jahiem Lawson

DT: DeMonte Capehart OR Stephiylan Green (Amare Adams)

DT: Peter Woods OR Stephiylan Green (Vic Burley)

DE: T.J. Parker (Cade Denhoff)

MLB: Sammy Brown (Jeremiah Alexander OR Dee Crayton)

WLB: Wade Woodaz (Kobe McCloud OR Dee Crayton)

CB: Avieon Terrell (Branden Strozier)

Tiger (nickel): Misun Kelley OR Corian Gipson (Noah Dixon)

Rover (SS): Khalil Barnes OR Ronan Hanafin (Tyler Venables)

FS: Ricardo Jones (Kylon Griffin)

CB: Ashton Hampton (Jeadyn Lukus OR Corian Gipson)

Special teams

PK: Nolan Hauser (Robert Gunn III)

P: Jack Smith (Robert Gunn III OR Will McCune)

KO: Robert Gunn III

LS (PK): Holden Caspersen

LS (P): Philip Florenzo

H: Clay Swinney

PR: Antonio Williams

KOR: Adam Randall

This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Chapel Fowler

The State

Chapel Fowler, the NSMA’s 2024 South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year, has covered Clemson football and other topics for The State since summer 2022. His work’s also been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the South Carolina Press Association and the North Carolina Press Association. He’s a Denver, N.C., native, a UNC-Chapel Hill alum and a pickup basketball enthusiast. Support my work with a digital subscription