Amber Aniston • September 21, 2024

Clemson Roars Past NC State with a Commanding 59-35 Victory

The No. 21 Clemson Tigers flexed their offensive muscle in a 59-35 rout of NC State on Saturday, delivering a powerful statement in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener. A rapid-fire start from Clemson, coupled with a suffocating defensive effort, left the Wolfpack with no answers as the Tigers surged to an overwhelming halftime lead.


Explosive Start Sets the Tone

From the opening kickoff, Clemson wasted no time establishing its dominance. Just two minutes into the game, quarterback Cade Klubnik broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run that electrified the home crowd at Memorial Stadium. That initial score was only the beginning, as Clemson quickly piled on points.


Klubnik, who finished the game with 209 passing yards and three touchdown throws, connected twice with wide receiver Antonio Williams for first-quarter touchdowns of 31 and 2 yards. By the time Phil Mafah added a 38-yard rushing touchdown, Clemson had raced out to a 28-0 lead before NC State could respond.


Clemson’s offensive line dominated in the trenches, opening up big gaps for their running backs and giving Klubnik plenty of time to find his targets. The Tigers averaged over 10 yards per carry well into the third quarter, with Mafah recording his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game. His 107 rushing yards and a touchdown further solidified Clemson’s ground game as a key strength.


Dominance by Halftime

The game was all but over by halftime. Clemson had racked up 408 yards of offense in the first two quarters alone, while NC State struggled to move the ball, managing just 164 yards in the first half. The Tigers headed into the locker room with a 45-7 advantage, allowing starters like Klubnik to take a well-earned rest for much of the second half.


Clemson’s defense was equally impressive, pressuring NC State’s freshman quarterback CJ Bailey throughout the game. Bailey, thrust into the starting role due to an injury to regular starter Grayson McCall, faced a relentless pass rush that forced him into tough situations. Clemson’s defense forced a fumble and added a 53-yard pick-six in the third quarter, courtesy of cornerback Ashton Hampton, making it nearly impossible for NC State to mount any kind of comeback.


Late Surge by NC State Falls Short

Despite the early onslaught, NC State showed resilience in the second half. Bailey managed to connect with his receivers more effectively as Clemson rotated in backup defenders, and the Wolfpack added three touchdowns in the final quarter. While these scores narrowed the gap on the scoreboard, the game was far out of reach by then.


NC State running back Kendrick Raphael had a bright spot with 90 rushing yards and a second-half touchdown, but the team’s struggles in the first half made it difficult to recover. The Wolfpack’s late surge provided a measure of redemption, but ultimately the game underscored their challenges against top-tier competition.


Clemson’s Offensive Revival

Clemson’s win over NC State continued their offensive resurgence after a slow start to the season. Since their 34-3 loss to Georgia in Week 1, the Tigers have looked nearly unstoppable, amassing 125 points in their last two games. The team's ability to dominate both on the ground and through the air has transformed them into a legitimate ACC title contender once again.


Phil Mafah’s consistent production on the ground has provided balance to Clemson’s attack, while Klubnik’s dual-threat ability keeps defenses guessing. With the offense clicking and the defense tightening up, Clemson seems to have moved past their Week 1 stumble.


Clemson’s Path Forward

Saturday’s win not only marked a critical victory in Clemson’s quest for another ACC championship but also represented a milestone in program history, as the Tigers became the first ACC school to achieve 800 victories. With their offense firing on all cylinders and a favorable schedule ahead, Clemson appears poised to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff.


Looking ahead, Clemson will need to maintain this level of play as they face tougher competition in the weeks to come. With both Miami and Louisville also performing well, the Tigers will need to stay sharp as the season progresses.


For NC State, the loss drops them to 2-2, and the Wolfpack will need to regroup quickly as they head deeper into conference play. Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey will look to gain more experience, but the team faces a steep hill if they hope to compete with the ACC’s elite.


Looking Ahead

Clemson’s 59-35 dismantling of NC State was a showcase of their offensive firepower and defensive prowess. With Cade Klubnik leading an explosive attack and the defense locking down opponents, the Tigers look ready to reclaim their spot among college football’s best. Meanwhile, NC State will need to find answers quickly if they hope to avoid more struggles in ACC play.

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