CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Instant Analysis: N.C. State 37, Clemson 13

Instant Analysis: N.C. State 37, Clemson 13


by - Senior Writer -

Instant Analysis: N.C. State 37, Clemson 13

What went right:Not much. N.C. State played like a team that has something on the line, and Clemson acted like a team going through the motions.

Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS So. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 200
Greenville, SC

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hit a 24-yard field goal midway through the first quarter and a 32-yarder in the third quarter.

Backup quarterback Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Fr. Quarterback
#8 6-4, 200
Dublin, OH

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engineered a late touchdown drive. The last time the Tigers went without an offensive touchdown was in 2007 in a 13-3 loss at Georgia Tech.

What went wrong: The Tiger offense couldn’t get on track early in the game, with N.C. State smothering everything up close to the line of scrimmage. Other than their scoring drive in the first quarter, there was no running game to speak of.

Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS So. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 300
Spartanburg, SC

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– playing at left tackle in place of Phillip PricePhillip Price
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-5, 315
Dillon, SC

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– did not have a good half. He allowed a sack of Boyd that turned into a fumble. Then he had a holding call that negated a long pass to Hopkins. One play later, Bellamy fumbled.

Thomas later went out with an injury, and he was replaced by David SmithDavid Smith
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 310
Greenville, SC

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. Overall, the left tackle position gave up three sacks and two holding calls – and all were critical.

Too many turnovers. Teams have to play penalty-free, turnover-free football on the road. Boyd’s fumble – not really his fault – and Bellamy’s fumble led to N.C. State points. Boyd then threw to third quarter interceptions that ended drives.

After one Zimmerman punt, the Wolfpack got a long return and got the ball in the Clemson red zone for the third time in the half.

The defense forgot how to tackle on one third quarter play that saw the Wolfpack make it 37-6. Several players had a shot at the receiver, but not one of them went low in order to make the tackle.

Running back Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Jr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 190
Moncks Corner, SC

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still doesn’t look healthy at times, and he carried just nine times for 28 yards.

Turning Point of the Game:On third and goal on Clemson’s second drive, the Tigers ran a quarterback keeper and Boyd was held to little gain. Clemson kicked a field goal, and it was all Wolfpack after that.

Stats of the Game: N.C. State had over 400 total yards of offense, while Clemson managed zero touchdowns until late and less than 300 yards of total offense. Clemson’s four turnovers didn’t help either.

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