​Clemson may be starting to figure out exactly what kind of team it wants to be.The Tigers didn’t need a huge night through the air Friday in Berkeley. Instead, they controlled the game with their defense, leaned heavily on the running game and waited for their young playmakers to create the difference in a 24-10 victory over California.Gideon Davidson continued his rapid emergence as Clemson’s lead back, carrying 22 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns.His biggest run didn’t come until the outcome was still hanging in the balance.With less than three minutes remaining, Davidson broke free for a 75-yard touchdown that erased any remaining hope of a Cal comeback. The freshman has now topped 100 rushing yards in consecutive games after recording 105 against North Carolina a week earlier.Clemson’s defense gave the offense plenty of time to find its footing.The Tigers frustrated Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele throughout the night, holding him to only 119 passing yards. Elliot Washington II intercepted him twice, giving Washington three interceptions over Clemson’s last two games.Cal managed only 231 yards of offense and struggled to generate consistent production on the ground or through the air.Bryant Wesco supplied another game-changing moment in the third quarter.Wesco fielded a punt at Clemson’s 35 and took it the distance for a 65-yard touchdown. The return was Clemson’s first punt-return score in nearly eight years, dating back to Amari Rodgers against Boston College in 2018.Former Clemson star defender moves from practice squad for NFL roster📸 Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/cVa4eYvU6Spic.twitter.com/J1648rTBef— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 24, 2026Meanwhile, Tait Reynolds didn’t have to carry the offense in his second career start. The freshman completed 13 of 21 passes for 108 yards and ran for another 28 as Clemson relied primarily on Davidson and the rushing attack.The Tigers finished with 253 rushing yards compared with just 86 for Cal.After dropping an early-season game, Clemson has now responded with consecutive conference wins and sits at 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC.A much bigger test is waiting next. Miami comes to Memorial Stadium next Saturday.Contact us at @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson hits the west coast, picks up impressive ACC win over Cal