Clemson Dominates N.C. State in ACC Opener with a 59-35 Victory

The Clemson Tigers emerged victorious in a commanding 59-35 win over the N.C. State Wolfpack during their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener at Memorial Stadium, commonly known as Death Valley, on Saturday. This triumph marked Clemson’s 11th consecutive home win against N.C. State, a streak that dates back to 2002 when the Wolfpack last saw victory on Clemson’s home turf.

The game saw the Tigers take a formidable lead early, scoring 28 points in the first quarter alone. Clemson’s quarterback Cade Klubnik spearheaded the offensive assault, running for a 55-yard touchdown and later connecting with Antonio Williams for several touchdown passes. Phil Mafah also contributed significantly, adding to the scoreboard with a long touchdown run.

Clemson led 45-7 by halftime, reflecting their dominant performance throughout the first two quarters. By the third quarter, Clemson extended their lead to 59-14 following a pick-six. Despite a rallying effort by N.C. State in the fourth quarter, which saw a pair of rushing touchdowns, the Wolfpack could only trim their deficit to a 31-point difference by the game’s end.

N.C. State struggled defensively from the onset, with their performance described by many as “dead on arrival.” The team’s failure to capitalize on early opportunities, including a crucial fumble, set a precedent for the challenges that unfolded throughout the game. The defensive shortcomings were evident, as Clemson amassed over 400 yards of offense by halftime, marking one of the worst defensive performances in recent history for N.C. State under head coach Tony Gibson.

In response to the disappointing display, concerns were raised about the team’s effort and determination on the field. Such sentiments were underscored by an incident involving N.C. State’s Anthony Belton, who was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct, further reflecting the Wolfpack’s struggles beyond the physical game.

The outcome of the match leaves Clemson with a 2-1 record for the season and starts their ACC journey positively, while N.C. State sits at 2-2, facing questions about regrouping for upcoming challenges. This defeat also highlights the significant gap currently present between the two teams, as Clemson’s superior talent and execution overshadowed N.C. State’s efforts.

The game was covered extensively, with Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy providing commentary for the national broadcast, while Molly McGrath reported from the sidelines. The match’s palpable energy and Clemson’s impressive performance are sure to be topics of discussion as the college football season progresses.