Fans arrived in Death Valley hoping to witness Clemson's first challenge of the season, but Dave Doeren's 16th ranked Wolfpack mustered merely a whimper as the third-ranked Tigers (7-0, 4-0) dominated during a 41-7 blowout of previously undefeated NC State (5-1, 2-1).
Trevor Lawrence looked comfortable in his second home start putting together a good performance throwing for 308 yards on 26-39 passing with one touchdown. It didn't take long to see that the true freshman was going to have a good afternoon.
Following a 40-yard kick return by Derion Kendrick to open the game, the Tigers marched 57 yards on nine plays to take a quick 7-0 lead over the NC State.
The Tigers' opening drive was a bit of a statement after Clemson's slow starts had become a topic of discussion for fans and media members, showcasing many of the aspects of the offense that make it so difficult to slow down. Lawrence spread the ball around through the air and workhorse running back Travis Etienne capped the opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Later in the first quarter, Lawrence hooked up with Tee Higgins for a 46-yard touchdown on a beautiful throw-and-catch. The key moment in that drive was perhaps, Dave Doeren's decision to decline a holding penalty on second-and-9. Instead of facing a second-and-19, Clemson was up against third-and-9, and Lawrence found Hunter Renfrow for an 11-yard gain and a first down. On the next play, the Tigers found paydirt with the deep ball.
Throughout the first half, Clemson controlled virtually every aspect of the game. The Tigers biggest blemish in the half came after marching the football 64 yards on 12 plays during a methodical drive.
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Trevor Lawrence outdueled NC State's Ryan Finley inside Death Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Facing a third-and-10, Lawrence dropped back, saw some running room underneath and sprinted for the yard marker, sliding down for an apparent first down. However, after review, it was deemed that he started is slide a yard short of the marker, at the 16-yard line, bringing up 4th down. Clemson's field goal team came on and in what looked to be a fake, Will Swinney attempted to run for the first down but fumbled the ball, shutting down the Tiger threat.
Clemson's defense forced another quick Wolfpack possession after a bad snap to Ryan Finley was recovered by Dexter Lawrence near midfield with 2:15 remaining before halftime. The offense returned and this time wouldn't come up short of the end zone.
Lawrence went 4-4 for 46 yards on the drive and Etienne hit the end zone for the second time pounding home a two-yard run, giving Clemson a 21-0 lead with 0:46 seconds left in the half, but the Tigers were not done.
After the kickoff, NC State attempted to press the football up the field through the air. After a quick eight-yard completion, Finley looked deep downfield but was picked off by K'Von Wallace near the fifty. Wallace turned upfield and weaved his way 46-yards to the four-yard line with just 0:16 seconds left on the clock.
What happened next was unusual to say the least. Lawrence found Amari Rodgers for no gain and Clemson quickly called a timeout with just 0:12 seconds on the clock. An Etienne run gained three yards and the Tigers called their final timeout of the half.
With just 0:06 seconds left, Clemson lined up in their jumbo package facing 3rd and goal and motioned Lawrence out of the backfield, but a false start backed things up five yards. Then a delay of game penalty finally forced Clemson's hand, and they settled for a 28-yard field goal and a 24-0 lead at the break.
© Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson's defense shut down NC State forcing three turnovers during the contest.
NC State opened the second half with the football and Finley began to find a bit of a rhythm as the Pack worked their way into Clemson territory, but once again the Tiger defense made a huge play. Finley looked deep over the middle, but Jalen Williams dropped back in perfect position and ripped the ball away from Wolfpack running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. and returned the ball to the 22-yard line.
Clemson failed to capitalize on the turnover, but after several punts, Doeren rolled the dice. Facing a fourth-and-7 at their own 27-yard line, NC State attempted a fake punt that was quickly snuffed out by the Tigers, giving Clemson the ball inside the red zone.
After two Etienne runs, a beautiful play call put Clemson inside the one-yard line. Lawrence took the snap, rolled right and found a wide open Milan Richard who trucked way inside the five and stretched for the goal line, but was just short. Travis Etienne split the defenders on the next play, for his third touchdown of the day, giving Clemson a commanding 31-0 lead with 3:54 left in the third quarter. With his third touchdown, Etienne became the first Clemson back to score three touchdowns in three consecutive games.
NC State answered quickly with a ten play 75-yard scoring drive of their own with their first points of the game coming on the first play of the 4th quarter, a 9-yard run by Gallaspy making it 31-7.
The Pack attempted an onside kick giving Clemson the football back near midfield, and the Tigers went on the attack. The big play featuring a 24-yard screen pass to Etienne who patiently waited, then sprinted into the open field before being brought down at the 15-yard line. The Tigers would settle for three, and a 34-7 lead with 12:32 on the clock.
After a quick State three and out, Clemson's offense, led by Chase Brice put together the longest scoring drive of the game going 84 yards in eight plays capped by a Lyn-J Dixon 2-yard run, with 8:11 left, expanding the Tiger advantage to the final margin of 41-7.
Clemson was more than ready for the challenge the Wolfpack presented, and now a date with FSU looms as the Tigers head to Doak-Campbell Stadium for a noon kickoff next Saturday.
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