Quarterback Cade Klubnik and the No. 21 ranked Clemson Tigers came out on fire and wanted to prove that the win against Appalachian State two weeks ago was not a one hit wonder. In their Atlantic Coast Conference opener, the Tigers dismantled North Carolina State Wolfpack 59-35 on Saturday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium.
“To play the way we did, to come out and really not skip a beat,” Klubnik said. “We got better over the last two weeks and kept our momentum going.”
The Tigers’ explosive offense was clicking on all cylinders after its Week 3 bye, which gave them lots of time to gel and come together on the practice field, finding the end zone on their first four drives and putting up 45 points on the score board in the first 30 minutes of action. It was like a slot machine in Vegas, every time you looked, they were scoring a touchdown. Defensively, Clemson (2-1, 1-0 ACC)) was aggressive and never let the Wolfpack get comfortable or find a rhythm, even without defensive lineman Peter Woods, forcing three turnovers and recording two sacks to rout the Wolfpack (2-2, 0-1).
Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren saw a defense he did not recognize early on. “Guys not fitting the run properly. Playing soft in coverage, just not aggressive,” he said. “It looked like we were on our heels.”
The convincing win by the Tigers sent a powerful message to the entire conference, emphasizing they are going to be one of the ACC’s elite programs, like they have been for the majority of the last decade.
“I see us continuing to build momentum,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, “and momentum is a powerful thing.”
The Tigers outgained the Wolfpack 408-164 in the first half, including snatching their hearts out of their chest, utilizing the ground-and-pound attack, outrushing them 228-29. They led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and scored on seven of their eight series. Klubnik, a junior in his second full season as starting quarterback, who is growing up before our very eyes, was efficient and kept the chunk plays coming, completing 16 of 24 passes for 209 yards and 70 yards rushing with four total touchdowns (one rushing).
Embed from Getty Images“He’s just had a lot of growth,” Clemson tailback Phil Mafah said. “Him growing as a leader, growing as a quarterback. He’s making his reads faster. He’s confident and that’s what got us here.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers put a hat on NC State freshman quarterback CJ Bailey. They sent pressure that generated sacks and forced three giveaways, (two fumbles, one interception).
With Woods sidelined, the Tigers needed someone to fill his shoes. They found that spark and production with T.J. Parker, who was tied for the most sacks on the team in 2023.
Parker had himself a day, recording five tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble, against the Wolfpack. Clemson came into Saturday’s matchup registering only two sacks.
In the first half, the Tigers gave up a sparse 29 rushing yards and 135 passing yards. Parker was the anchor and led the defensive line’s effort in the trenches and will be leaned on to do just that if Woods has to miss more time.
Clemson was in desperate need of a No. 2 running back to take some of the pressure off Mafah and may have found a diamond in the rough with Jay Haynes. The redshirt freshman replaced Mafah, who left the game with an injured shoulder in the first quarter but returned to the game, and took advantage of his opportunities.
Haynes finished with 42 rushing yards on eight carries, including a 19-yard score on a delayed handoff in the second quarter. He is not a one-trick pony, helping in pass protection and receiving downs, as well, hauling in two catches for 17 yards. His production was paramount to showcase there is depth behind Mafah.
North Carolins State’s schedule does not get any easier as they return home to play No. 23 Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Clemson wraps up a three-game home stand against the Stanford Cardinal in prime time on Saturday night.
