Clemson Wakes Up for Wake Forest

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney challenged his team this week. He wanted his Tigers to come out with the sense of urgency that would match Wake Forest.

He wanted his team to wake up and show up for Wake Forest.

“What I’m looking for in our team is maturity,” Swinney said Tuesday. “I’m looking for a team that will match that intensity, match that precision, match that discipline and heart because that’s what it’s gonna take.” 

The No. 2 Clemson Tigers woke up, accepted the challenge and used a dominant first quarter to defeat Wake Forest 28-14.

The Tigers received the opening noon kickoff and did not hit the snooze button.

Quarterback Kelly Bryant marched the Clemson offense right down the field its first two possessions for touchdowns to jump out to a quick 14-0 lead.

Bryant finished the day with 21 completions on 29 attempts for 200 yards and one touchdown.

Wake Forest wanted to force Bryant to throw the ball. They crowded six to seven players around the line of scrimmage on the first drive and Bryant made them pay. On third-and-four, Bryant faked the quick out throw to Milan Richard and hit Deon Cain in stride for a 28-yard touchdown catch.

On their second drive, the Tigers converted on two third downs, including an impressive catch from Hunter Renfrow over the middle to keep the drive alive. Adam Choice scored on a 4-yard run, and Clemson looked like it was about to run away with the win.

The Demon Deacons were put at a disadvantage early. They started the game without quarterback John Wolford, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. In the game went Kendall Hinton, who was making his fourth career start. Swinney was as surprised as anyone.

“I didn’t know. Is (John Wolford) hurt?” Swinney said. “He wasn’t on the injury report. (Wake Forest) Kept that under wraps pretty good. I gotta learn that tactic.”

Clemson’s fast start on offense was all it needed as the defense took over for the rest of the way. The defense only allowed 37 rushing yards in the first half. They opened the game forcing Wake Forest into a three-and-out.

On Wake Forest’s second drive, down 14-0, the Demon Deacons were able to pick up a big pass play to Greg Dortch to put them into position to get some points.

As they have done so much already this season, Clemson’s defense rose to the occasion and did not break.

The Tigers were able to get Wake Forest behind the chains and forced them into a field goal attempt. Mike Weaver then missed a 34-yard field goal. He came into the game 10-for-10 on the season.

Clemson’s offense made things look so easy in its first couple of drives that you almost forgot about Wake Forest’s impressive defense, led by their line. What hurt the Deacons was that they could not get off the field early. Clemson was 6-for-7 on third-down conversions in the first quarter.

“We got off to a fast start, so we checked that box,” co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. “The next part is to stay consistent. Our standard was those first two drives. We don’t want any drop-off.”

Wake Forest’s defense finally settled in and was able to get some pressure on Bryant. Duke Ejiofor, Wake’s best defensive end, moved to the inside and was able to bring pressure up the middle.

Co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said that Wake Forest’s defense was everything that was advertised today.

“Early in the game got off to a good start, then we had a little bit of a lull. They did some things good up front and got to our quarterback a little bit. Definitely hats off to those guys. They were very disciplined, played hard, and it was a scrappy game for us.”

As the game wore on, Clemson was not able to find the end zone, but the two-touchdown lead felt like a lot more judging by how the defense was playing.

In the third quarter, Wake Forest was driving and used a 38-yard completion to Chuck Wade to have another chance to put points on the board and make the game tighter.

For the second time of the day, Clemson’s defense was able to respond in its own territory and push the Deacons back. A Clelin Ferrell sack set up a 50-yard field goal attempt from Weaver. The kick was missed terribly, and Clemson was able to get the ball back with momentum.

“What I saw from our defense is that wherever the ball was spotted, they were ready to play,” Swinney said after the game. “They just bowed up and got stops.”

On that next possession, Clemson was faced with a fourth-and-three in Wake Forrest territory and decided to go for it. Hunter Renfrow caught an out route and was able to turn up the field for a 29-yard gain setting up a Travis Etienne touchdown.

Clemson was three-for-three on fourth down conversions on the day, highlighted by a Will Spiers pass on a fake punt. He finished with a 142 quarterback rating.

After the Etienne touchdown, Bryant limped off the field and went to the injury tent. He was jogging gingerly around the sidelines for a bit but was done after Clemson’s 21-point lead.

Bryant said after the game that he rolled his ankle and it was a low-ankle sprain. He spoke to the media in an XL walking boot on his left foot.

Swinney said that they would evaluate Bryant further, but he has full confidence in Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson in their ability to split first-team reps this week in practice.

Cooper and Johnson came in the game and played well. Cooper missed a few throws, but Johnson was able to end the day on a high note by hitting Cannon Smith over the middle for a touchdown. This was Johnson’s first career touchdown throw and Smith’s first touchdown catch as the Tigers took a 28-0 lead.

Wake Forest hung around and scored two touchdowns late, but Clemson was too far ahead for there to be any comeback.

Some Clemson students stayed in their seats and threw paper airplanes during halftime. Smaller airplanes weren’t able to hang in the air, but one giant paper airplane soared over the section and landed on the field.

This afternoon, Clemson was that larger airplane.

The Tigers were bigger, faster and a more complete team that was able to defeat a Wake Forest team that just couldn’t seem to get off the ground.

Clemson woke up.