Clemson Tops NC State, 30-20, in Top-10 Matchup
CLEMSON, S.C. – Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei passed for 209 yards and a score and ran for a career-high 73 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 5 Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) over No. 10 NC State (4-1, 2-1 ACC), 30-20 in an electric, sold-out Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. With the win, Clemson extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 11 games. The Tigers also recorded their 37th consecutive home win, tying the longest home winning streak in ACC history.
Offensively, Clemson had a balanced attack, passing for 209 yards and rushing for 145. Uiagalelei connected on 21 of his 30 pass attempts and led the Tigers on the ground. Clemson scored on all four red zone drives. Clemson’s defense recorded three sacks and two turnovers and held NC State to only 34 rushing yards on 21 carries.
The Tigers had the ball first and went on a 13-play, 72-yard drive that ate up 6:38 of clock, ending in a 20-yard B.T. Potter field goal. NC State would answer with a 15-play, 78-yard drive that covered nearly eight minutes and also ended in a 20-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the first. After trading possessions, Clemson went 59 yards on 14 plays, culminating with another Potter field goal, this time from 46 yards.
A targeting call on Andrew Mukuba and a pass interference penalty on RJ Mickens contributed to NC State scoring their first touchdown of the night, giving the Wolfpack a narrow 10-6 lead over the Tigers with 1:51 left in the first half.
The Tigers would go into halftime with momentum as they scored their first touchdown of the night to take a 13-10 lead. A Will Shipley reception brought Clemson to the one-yard line with a 26-yard catch up the left sideline. On the next play, Uiagalelei rushed one yard for the touchdown, capping a quick eight-play drive.
Coming out of halftime, Clemson forced an NC State three-and-out as Barrett Carter and Myles Murphy both registered sacks. On Clemson’s ensuing possession, Uiagalelei rushed 39 yards inside the NC State 10-yard line. Uiagalelei then completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jake Briningstool, increasing Clemson’s lead to 20-10 with 12 minutes left in the third quarter.
Toriano Pride later recorded his first career interception, setting up Potter’s third field goal of the night to increase Clemson’s lead to 23-13.
K.J. Henry recovered a fumble on fourth down to end another NC State drive. In the fourth quarter, Uiagalelei gave Clemson some more breathing room, leading the Tigers 58 yards in 4:35, and on the ninth play of the drive, he spun to his left and ran the ball nine yards into the end zone.
NC State added a final touchdown with 53 seconds to play. NC State’s onside kick went out of bounds, giving the Tigers the chance to kneel out the clock.
Clemson hits the road again next week as they travel to Boston College to play the Eagles in Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8.
