Instant Analysis: Clemson 62, NC State 48

Watkins had a career-high 11 receptions for the Tigers

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Nov 17 19:25:52 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON - Instant Analysis: Clemson 62, N.C. State 48

The Clemson Tigers won their 10th regular season game with a high-scoring win over the N.C. State Wolfpack Saturday afternoon in Death Valley.

Even after putting up 62 points, the game was still in doubt heading into the fourth quarter, but the Tigers put the game away with a decisive 7:35 minute drive to run out the clock.

The Tigers and Wolfpack set a record for most total yards of offense with 1,351 yards.

A new Clemson record was also established for the most combined points scored in a game with 110.

What went right: Mr. Consistency- Chandler Cantanzaro- squeaked a 47-yard field goal through the uprights to give Clemson its first points of the day and later hit another one into the wind. Catanzaro has hit 15-of-16 field goals this season.

Kickoff specialist Spencer BentonSpencer Benton
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#13 6-1, 195
Myrtle Beach, SC
View Full Profile nailed N.C. State return man Tobias Palmer on the kick-off after the first field goal for his 28th career tackle.

Tyler ShatleyTyler Shatley
RS Jr. Offensive Guard
#62 6-3, 295
Icard, NC
View Full Profile sprung Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile for four-yards for Clemson first touchdown of the day. On Clemson’s second drive, Boyd carried the ball twice for 16 yards. The touchdown was Boyd’s sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

Center Dalton FreemanDalton Freeman
Gr. Center
#55 6-5, 265
Pelion, SC
View Full Profile played his 3,132nd snap - the most by an individual player in Clemson football history.

Brandon FordBrandon Ford
Gr. Tight End
#80 6-4, 240
Wando, SC
View Full Profile scored Clemson’s second touchdown of the game- the seventh of the season, moving him into second place all-time among Clemson tight ends. Dwayne AllenDwayne Allen
Tight End
#83 6-3, 255
Fayetteville, NC
View Full Profile holds the record with eight touchdowns.

With just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, defensive tackle Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
View Full Profile stuffed the run on an N.C. State fourth-and-one to give the Tigers momentum.

After the big defensive stop, Boyd hit Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile on a screen and after a Jaron BrownJaron Brown
Gr. Wide Receiver
#18 6-2, 205
Cheraw, SC
View Full Profile block, Watkins found the endzone giving the Tigers the lead after giving up 24 unanswered points. Brandon Ford converted the two-point conversion.

After the Watkins touchdown, Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Fr. Punter
#92 6-6, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile drilled the kickoff nine-yards deep in the endzone for Clemson’s first touchback of the day.

The Clemson pass rush appeared a step behind for most of the first half, but defensive end Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS So. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile sacked Glennon. Glennon was also called for intentional grounding on the play.

With N.C. State driving in the second quarter, Rashard HallRashard Hall
Gr. Safety
#31 6-2, 210
St. Augustine, FL
View Full Profile intercepted a Glennon pass in the endzone to short-circuit the drive. The interception was Hall’s 14th career interception and 17th career takeaway moving him into third place in Clemson history.

Nuk Hopkins’ second reception of the day was a 62-yard touchdown making him the Clemson career leader in receiving yards.

Defensive end Malliciah GoodmanMalliciah Goodman
Sr. Defensive End
#97 6-4, 270
Florence, SC
View Full Profile sacked Glennon late in the first half, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
So. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile , giving the Tigers the ball on the 32-yard line with just over two minutes left in the half. Boyd found a hole in the defense and went nine yards into the endzone ,accounting for his fifth touchdown of the first half.

With N.C. State driving, Vic Beasley sacked Glennon for the second time forcing a 48-yard field goal into the wind that was eventually tipped by Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
So. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile and fell incomplete.

With just over 11 minutes to go in the third quarter, Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile had 14 carries breaking the century mark.

Offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile used Andre Ellington and Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile in the running game to set up Tajh Boyd and Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile for a 40 yard touchdown- the Tigers first of the second half. With that touchdown, Clemson has scored 477 points this season, which is a new Clemson record.

The Wolfpack were once again in Clemson territory when Grady Jarrett forced fourth down after stopping the run on third-and-one. Forced to go for it on fourth down, Glennon’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Jarrett.

Tajh Boyd set a new school record and ACC record accounting for his seventh touchdown of the afternoon when he weaved his way through the Wolfpack defense for his third rushing touchdown of the evening.

On third-and-short, Brandon Ford scored a 69-yard touchdown. The touchdown is Ford’s eighth of the season, tying a single season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Beasley sacked Glennon for the third time, forcing a fumble and a long fourth down attempt.

On the decisive drive to put the game away late in the fourth quarter, Boyd broke Woody Dantzler’s record for most offense by a Clemson player with 520 yards. Dantzler’s record was 517 against N.C. State in 2001.

The Tigers had 754 yards of total offense in the game.

What went wrong: Cornerback Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS So. Defensive Back
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile was beaten badly on a 77-yard touchdown pass from Mike Glennon to Tobias Palmer. The touchdown pass tied for the longest touchdown play against Clemson this season.

After the Clemson offense went three-and-out, Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS So. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC
View Full Profile was beaten on the first play from scrimmage for a 49-yard touchdown to give N.C. State its first lead of the day.

Glennon threw a third touchdown pass in the opening quarter- a season record for the Wolfpack.

Late in the first quarter, Boyd saw Sammy Watkins down the middle of the field, but underthrew the ball and it was intercepted and returned 36 yards setting up a Wolfpack field goal.

Clemson’s kickoffs were well short of the endzone, giving N.C. State good field position in the first half.

On third- and-long, linebacker Spencer ShueySpencer Shuey
RS Jr. Linebacker
#33 6-3, 230
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile didn’t have good ball awareness and gave up a big play to set up the Wolfpack inside the red zone.

Hopkins didn’t have a reception in the game until 2:39 was left in the first half.

After the Tigers’ seventh touchdown of the game, Palmer took the kickoff 81 yards that set up a 19-yard touchdown run. Palmer set an ACC record for all-purpose yards with 423 yards.

Tajh Boyd faced a third-and-long when he looked across the middle and threw a pass into double coverage getting picked off in the redzone, setting up a six-yard touchdown pass from Glennon. That touchdown was the fourth time the Wolfpack scored on one play.

After throwing three consecutive incomplete passes, the Wolfpack faced a fourth-and-ten and Glennon found Palmer wide open for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Clemson defense gave up 597 yards of total offense to the Wolfpack.

Turning Point of the Game: After a N.C. State field goal to pull the Wolfpack within 14 the Tigers got the ball with 7:35 seconds remaining in the game. The Tigers used Boyd and the running backs to bring the clock to zero.

Stat of the Game: The Tigers and Wolfpack combined for 110 points in the game, a Clemson record for most points in a game at Death Valley.