FINAL: No. 19 Clemson 59, NC State 35

I hope everyone is having a great start to their Saturday. Looking forward to today's game in Death Valley. I'm on the road in Greenville for my daughter's soccer match, but Luke and Will are in Clemson. Those two, along with Brandon, will keep you updated throughout the game.

One major update before today's game as former five-star DL Peter Woods is not expected to play after suffering an injury from an illegal chop block against App State.

Clemson star DL Peter Woods "Not Expected" to be available vs. NC State. Other players listed as not expected include CB Corian Gipson, OL Dietrick Pennington, OL Collin Sadler on Clemson's official release. pic.twitter.com/ULhKpC8pEh

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

Good morning everyone! I'll be holding down things here in the chat this afternoon -- about 35 minutes or so from kickoff in Death Valley in the ACC opener for the Tigers.

Clemson gets the ball to start the contest.

Clemson 7, NC State 0

13:29 left in Q1

Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 01:31

Klubnik to the house!! 55-yard TD run. pic.twitter.com/RYL7PlIiV7

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

Cade Klubnik keeps it himself after faking the jet sweep and scores from 55 yards out. What a start for the Clemson offense. He hit the hole and was gone.

Clemson 7, NC State 0, 13:29 1Q

Good job by Tre Williams to defeat the block and make the tackle on third down. The Pack will punt and Clemson gets the ball back up 7-0, with 9:30 to play first quarter.

Mafah is down after that play…

Great balance right now for the Clemson offense. Into NC State territory with a mix of run and pass.

It only took Clemson six minutes of game clock to pass the 100-yard team rushing mark in this game. Klubnik and Mafah have things rolling on the ground so far

Phil Mafah with another nice run—this one for 34-yards pic.twitter.com/HvpyhA6Xt3

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

Mafah is now down on the field after a reception. pic.twitter.com/nzbXkajyEo

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

The play after Mafah goes down....another Clemson TD. Klubnik finds Williams for a 31-yard score.

The Tigers are cooking. pic.twitter.com/ZadYwIANKx

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

6 plays.
91 yards.
1:34

Clemson scores on a 31-yard strike from Klubnik to Antonio Williams on a beautiful throw. All Clemson early, up 14-0.

Clemson takes advantage of the fumble, and on third and goal, Klubnik tosses his second touchdown to Antonio Williams.

Clemson 21, NC State 0, 5:07 1Q

After that turnover-- Klubnik hits Williams again for a TD, and the Tigers lead balloons to 21-0. pic.twitter.com/aQMJlqZymX

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

Phil Mafah scores from 38 yards out -- one play after another fumble, recovered by Aveion Terrell. This one is getting ugly.

Clemson 28, NC State 0, 2:08 1Q

Phil Mafah returns to the game after being injured and scores on a 38-yard run...28-0 Clemson with 2:08 left in Q1. pic.twitter.com/gAcPmmp6vl

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

END 1Q: Clemson 28, NC State 0

Wolfpack trying to get something going as they are inside Tigers territory when the second quarter begins.

Well this Clemson team doesn't seem to have slowed down at all...sheesh. What a first quarter for the Tigers.

What a start for Clemson...the Tigers are rolling as we head to Q2. pic.twitter.com/3S9pb07ZGG

— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 21, 2024

Kanoah Vinesett misses the field goal and a solid NC State drive comes away with nothing.

Clemson ball now, up 28-0 with 13 minutes and counting to play before the half.

The pass intended for Troy Stellato falls incomplete and Clemson, for the first time, in 12 possessions going back to two weeks ago against App State is forced to punt.

NC State ball when play resumes, trailing 28-0.

Clemson 28, NC State 7 after CJ Bailey connects for his first career touchdown to Jordan Waters on a wheel route out of the backfield. Tigers did not cover it and the Pack took advantage. That ends a 9 play, 71-yard drive that took up just over 4 and 1/2 minutes,

If NC State has had some success offensively today, it's been on those wheel routes out of the backfield, which is something I'm sure defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will want to get corrected before the next series.

Clemson goes with the reverse and scores with Cole Turner from 18 yards out with a nice block from TJ Moore.

Tigers up 35-7 with 5:53 to play before the half. State with the ball back.

Cade Klubnik is really spreading the ball around on offense… This WR group looks like a Clemson-caliber receiver core. This offense has totally transformed since the UGA game. Klubnik's confidence - and the staff's confidence in him - is one of the biggest reasons why.

Agree with Luke on this one. It's been fun to watch this offense evolve from the Georgia game three weeks ago. Klubnik is 12-of-17 for 161 yards and two touchdowns today. 8 different receivers have caught the ball.

HALF | Clemson 45, NC State 7

408 yards of total offense for the Tigers' offense in the first half and two turnovers from the Tigers' defense has Clemson in complete control of this one.

Clemson's defense comes out and gets a stop on 4th and short. CJ Bailey tried to hit Kevin Concepcion on a quick shallow, but Khalil Barnes did an impressive job in coverage. Tigers are about to get the ball back for the first time in the second half, leading 45-7.

Just underway in the third quarter.

Clemson gets NC State to jump offsides on 4th and 1. The very next play, Klubnik throws a touchdown to Adam Randall from 4 yards out.

Clemson 45, NC State 7, 9:07 3Q

Clemson's reserves are seeing action and so far, not a good start defensively. Three pass interference penalties aid in State's touchdown drive, which took four plays. Kendrick Raphael scores from 10 yards out and essentially walked in.

Clemson 52, NC State 14 6:38 3Q

END 3Q | Clemson 59, NC State 14

Freshman Ashton Hampton gets a pick six after being called for a pass interference penalty on the last possession. NC State with the ball as we head to the final quarter from Death Valley.

Things have really been clicking for Clemson's first unit on offense. What a couple of weeks they've put together.