N.C. State walked into the game against Clemson with hopes of keeping their bowl eligibility alive, but poor defense and a non-productive offensive outing lead to a 43-23 loss for the Pack.
The game did not start out on a good note for the Pack. Clemson struck first on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal. State began to gain momentum behind Tony Baker, moving the team down the field on four rushes for 17 yards, but State was not able to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.
Quarterback Russell Wilson was unable to throw a complete pass until the second quarter. He went 7-30 in rushing yards for Clemson’s 10-65. Wilson also threw an interception, late in the first quarter ending with a Tiger touchdown by Jacoby Ford, over the Pack, 10-0.
In the second quarter, Clemson scored two more passing touchdowns, including a pass from CJ Spiller to receiver Xavier Dye after a poor 6-yard punt from State. This scoring drive made Spiller the first player in Clemson history to score in five different ways in a single season.
Wilson’s first pass completion came in the second quarter when he threw a pass to Koyal George for 9 yards. State only gained 114 yards of total offense through the first half, in comparison to 238 from Clemson.
Early in the second, State finally got on the board after Wilson threw a touchdown pass to Koyal George, to bring to score to 7-17.
Clemson responded with another touchdown to end the half, Clemson up 24-7.
State’s offense began to breathe new life at the beginning of the third quarter. A Wilson rush put the ball on the 9-yard line and set up a Jarvis Williams touchdown reception from Wilson for 8-yards, closing the gap 14-24.
State’s defense did manage to settle down, only allowing 63 yards in the third quarter.
Spiller continued his outstanding performance with a 16-yard touchdown run, making him the school record holder for all-purpose yards in a season with 1,890 yards. His dominance rolled on into the fourth quarter as Carter-Finley began to clear out with a touchdown reception from Kyle Parker, Spiller, breaking another record, was the first in Clemson history to throw, run, and catch a touchdown in a same game.
State allowed 454 yards of total offense, 162 of which came from Spiller.
The Pack managed to score one final touchdown with a pass from quarterback Mike Glennon to Jarvis Williams, leaving the final score at 43-23 and any hopes of a post season on the field for the Pack.
