Despite being favorites on the road, the Clemson Tigers fell to NC State by a score of 24-17 on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Clemson entered Saturday’s game looking to get back to its winning ways, but the team made too many mistakes and was unable to complete a late comeback, ultimately falling to the Wolfpack in a devastating loss.
NC State took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter with a 9-yard touchdown pass and did not give up the lead for the rest of the game.
NC State followed up its touchdown with a 41-yard field goal to go up on the Tigers by a score of 10-0. However, Clemson came firing back with a one-yard touchdown run from Phil Mafah to bring the game within three points. Right before the Mafah touchdown run, Clemson running back Will Shipley took a hard hit to the head, forcing him to be in concussion protocol. The Wolfpack would lead 10-7 on the Tigers entering the half, as Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz missed a 43-yard field goal to end the half.
The Wolfpack’s three-point lead then became a 10-point lead when Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw a 15-yard pick-six on the Tigers’ second offensive drive of the second half. After Clemson punted, NC State then got the ball back and scored another touchdown, taking a commanding 24-7 lead.
Clemson attempted to make a comeback, scoring 10 fourth-quarter points and having an opportunity at a game-tying drive, but the Tigers were unable to convert on a fourth-and-19, sealing the win for the Wolfpack.
Costly turnovers have been the theme of the Tigers this season, and that trend continued on Saturday with Klubnik throwing two interceptions in the loss. With the two giveaways, Clemson has a minus-three turnover margin on the year with 15 total turnovers.
Klubnik ended up completing 33 of 50 pass attempts for 263, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Mafah led the Tigers in rushing with 82 yards and two scores on 16 attempts, and Briningstool had a team-high 93 receiving yards on eight receptions.
Although the Tigers were unable to take home a win, they were still able to perform well on the defensive end of the ball, only giving up 202 total yards and 17 points. Clemson currently ranks sixth in total defense in the FBS and fourth overall for power five teams. The Clemson defense has been able to keep the Tigers in close games throughout the season and has been a highlight of the team.
With the loss, Clemson moved to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Following last week’s defeat to Miami, Saturday was a historical loss for Clemson, as the team hadn’t lost back-to-back games since 2011. The Tigers have a tough three games ahead of them, as they have to face Notre Dame, followed by Georgia Tech and North Carolina, all of which will have to travel to Death Valley.
The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 4, when they host the Fighting Irish at noon.
