The No. 21 Clemson Tigers are up 45-7 through the first half against the NC State Wolfpack at Memorial Stadium. Here are some early takeaways from the contest so far:
Offense:
— Just 91 seconds into the first quarter, Klubnik set the tone for the game. He took off with a 55-yard rush to the end zone, and in the next two possessions he made his chemistry with sophomore receiver Antonio Williams apparent. His first throw to Williams was a 31-yard catch, followed by a short, goal-line pass to add to the lead.
— Phil Mafah has also made his presence known with a 38-yard rush into the end zone marking 2,000 career rushing yards for the senior. This marked the fourth touchdown for the Tigers, two of which scored after a turnover.
— Clemson is not letting up on the Wolfpack, logging 408 yards compared to NC State’s 164 in the first half alone. The Tiger offense has proven their roster-wide talent with five of the six touchdowns coming from different players — Klubnik, Mafah, Cole Turner, Jay Haynes and Williams, who has two.
— Turner checked off his first touchdown of the season — an 18 yard rush into the endzone with a 1:15 left in the second quarter.
— Senior Jake Briningstool ended the first half with the accolade of 1,000 career receiving yards over his four years as a Clemson Tiger. He has posted two receptions for 29 yards.
Defense:
— In the first start of his collegiate career, freshman C.J. Bailey has given the Clemson defense a tough test. The Wolfpack signal-caller completed 11-of-14 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while using his legs to move the chains as well.
— Clemson’s first sack of the day came from T.J. Parker, who jarred the ball free from Bailey and was recovered by Cade Denhoff. This set Clemson up at the Wolfpack’s 18-yard line, leading to another Tiger score. Parker has so far sacked Bailey twice today.
— Cornerback Avieon Terrell got in on the fun as well, stripping the ball from NC State receiver KC Concepcion and handing the Tigers another drive to start in Wolfpack territory, where they again scored.
—The defense has accumulated five tackles for loss so far today.
— Other than defending the pass, the Tigers held the NC State running game to only 29 yards in the first half. With missed tackles being an issue in past games, the Wolfpack has struggled to run the ball and the Tigers have been efficient.
Special Teams:
— Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser scored a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the half to add to Clemson’s lead. He hit all of his extra point tries in the first half, nailing 6-of-6 tries. He still has not missed a field goal at any point this season.
— Punter Aidan Swanson has punted once in the half, a 37-yard kick.
— Clemson caught a break on a missed field goal from NC State in the first quarter, where some late Tiger pressure forced the Wolfpack’s kick wide left.
