CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Instant Analysis: Clemson 42, Wake Forest 13
Watkins finished with 202 receiving yards

Instant Analysis: Clemson 42, Wake Forest 13


by - Senior Writer -

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Instant Analysis: Clemson 42, Wake Forest 13

Two different Clemson players set school records and the Clemson defense tallied five sacks as Clemson knocked off Wake Forest 42-13 in Winston-Salem Thursday night.

Quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

View Full Profile
hit Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

View Full Profile
on a 37-yard gain midway through the fourth quarter, enabling Boyd to set Clemson’s all-time record for passing yards in a game. Boyd finished with 428 yards, breaking Charlie WhitehurstCharlie Whitehurst
Quarterback
#6 6-4, 225
Duluth, GA

View Full Profile
’s record of 420 yards.

Wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

View Full Profile
had nine catches for 202 yards, breaking the record of 197 yards set by Nuk Hopkins against Boston College less than a month ago. Watkins had 177 receiving yards in the first half.

What went right: Clemson’s offense muddled through the first two possessions, but Tajh Boyd found a wide-openWatkins down the left sideline for a 57-yard gain, setting up Clemson’s first touchdown. Running back Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC

View Full Profile
had a key blitz pickup on the play, allowing Boyd time to throw.

On Clemson’s next series, Watkins got loose again, catching a pass from Boyd and turning it into a 61-yard touchdown, his first receiving touchdown of the season.

Clemson’s defense forced Wake Forest to punt three times in the first quarter.

Linebacker Tig Willard had an awesome series in the second quarter – on one play he fought off a block on a drag route and made the tackle on the receiver at the sideline. On the next play, Willard fought off another block and sacked Wake quarterback Tanner Price for a seven yard loss, forcing a Demon Deacon punt.

Wide receiver Jaron BrownJaron Brown
Gr. Wide Receiver
#18 6-2, 205
Cheraw, SC

View Full Profile
had a slick grab of a second quarter Boyd pass, gaining 29 yards.

Wide receiver Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC

View Full Profile
played both ways – recording two tackles while playing cornerback on defense. He also caught one pass for four yards.

Three different receivers caught passes against Virginia Tech a week ago, but Boyd completed touchdown passes to five different receivers in the first half, and had completions to nine different receivers.

Watkins set a career-high in receiving yards with 177 in the first half. His previous career-high was 155 yards. Watkins continued to add to the record in the second half, eventually setting a Clemson record for receiving yards in a game.

Clemson had four sacks of Tanner Price in the first half.

Xavier BrewerXavier Brewer
Gr. Defensive Back
#9 5-11, 190
Jacksonville, FL

View Full Profile
forced a bad pitch on a first quarter option play, and Wake lost 20 yards on the play.

Clemson held Wake Forest to 290 total yards, the first time this season Clemson has held a team under 300 yards of offense.

What went wrong: Clemson’s offense started slow for the second straight week, getting one first down on its first two possessions.

The Tigers played well defensively in the first half, but did give up a touchdown to the Demon Deacons late in the first half.

The defense gave up another touchdown – this one in the third quarter – that allowed Wake to creep back within 35-13. Corner Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS So. Defensive Back
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA

View Full Profile
spent much of the third quarter with an ice pack on his hip, and Clemson’s already thin secondary was playing even thinner.

Turning Point of the Game:Boyd’s long pass to Watkins in the first quarter – it gave the Clemson offense a spark and it was never close after that as the Tigers scored on five straight possessions.

Stat of the Game: Clemson scored 42 points tonight ,the seventh straight game Clemson has scored at least 37. That is just the second time in ACC history a team has scored at least 37 points in seven straight games. The only other ACC team to do it is the 1995 Florida State team.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to David Hood: Email | Comment
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
Post your comments!