Topped by the Tigers: the Deacs drop a 49-14 decision to the 10th ranked Clemson Tigers
Pregame: #10 Clemson Tigers (4-1, 3-0) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3, 1-1)
High noon in mid-October (a 12pm EST kickoff at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC).
This lets you know it's the "meat and potatoes" time of the season, especially in ACC Football play.
The 10th ranked Clemson Tigers come in to today's game against Wake Forest with a 4-game winning streak. Thanks to key performers on offense, including quarterback Cade Klubnik (1219 passing yards, a 64.3 completion percentage, and a 14-2 touchdown/interception ratio), running back Phil Mafah (496 rushing yards/7.3 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns), the Tigers come in averaging 39.4 points per game and 465.5 yards of total offense. They'll look to test a Deacon defense allowing 168.8 yards per game (rushing) and about 460 (460.2) yards per game per their total defense. Wake's leading tackler safety Nick Andersen (60 total tackles), defensive linesman Kevin Pointer (a team leading 2 sacks), and highly regarded defensive end Jasheen Davis look to contain and "tame" the Tiger offense.
Wake's offensive line looks to set a solid tone to allow opportunities for quarterback Hank Bachmeier (1313 passing yards, a 63.6 completion percentage, and a 7-2 touchdown/interception ration) and running back Demond Claiborne (471 rushing yards/5.8 yards per carry, and 6 touchdowns) to create pressure on the Clemson defense as they look to win their 2nd game in a row. The offense (30.5 points per game) expects to test a Clemson defense allowing 371.4 yards per game along with 23.2 points per game. Wideout Taylor Morin (26 receptions/345 yards) is among those ready for the defensive efforts of Clemson's cornerback Avieon Terrell (2 interceptions), defensive end T.J. Parker (4 sacks), and middle linebacker Wade Woodaz (36 total tackles).
Game highlights: Clemson gradually pulls away in the 2nd and 3rd quarter to drop the Deacs to 1-2 in ACC play
Wake would start the game with the ball and eventually, take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. At the 1:32 mark, Hank Bauchmeier connects with Horatio Fields for a 31-yard touchdown pass to give the Deacs the early lead.
In the 2nd quarter, Clemson's defense would come up with 2 key interceptions (including one of a tipped pass) to go on a 21-point scoring run. The Tigers' Antonio Williams would haul in a 22-yard reception (13:39 in the 2nd quarter) for a touchdown to tie the game at 7. Nearly a minute later (12:34 in the 2nd quarter) after their first interception of the quarter, Phil Mafah would barrel in from a yard out to give them a 14-7 lead. Later in the quarter, Mafah would score from 2 yards out (on a 4th and goal) to give Clemson a 21-7 lead.
The Deacs would make their way back in the game thanks to some solid efforts in the passing game, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown grab by Michael Frogge to make it a 21-14 game with 3:18 left in the 2nd quarter/1st half. However, a late score by Clemson thanks to an 8-yard reception by Troy Stellato would close out the 1st half with the Tigers holding a 28-14 lead.
The Tigers would get the ball to start the 2nd half and would expand the lead to 35-14 at the 9:52 mark (3rd quarter). Adam Randall's 9-yard reception gets the scoring going and the Tigers would add another touchdown thanks to a 7-yard touchdown pass (on a double-pass play) by Antonio Williams to Jake Briningstool to expand the lead to 42-14,
Keith Adams would add a 4-yard touchdown run at the 8:55 mark to give Clemson a 49-14 lead and earn their 5th win in a row (5-1, 4-0) while Wake drops to 2-4 (1-2 in the ACC).
Post-game: The second quarter turnovers turn the tide, as Wake looks to rebound against UConn on the road (October 19, 2024)
The 10th ranked Tigers, buoyed by the 2 forced turnovers in the 2nd quarter, pull away from the Deacs for a decisive win. Clemson outgains Wake (566 to 233 for total yards of offense); led by quarterback Cade Klubnik (31/41 for 309 passing yards and 3 touchdowns), running back Phil Mafah (20 carries for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns), and tight end Jake Briningstool (7 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, as he is one of 4 players to have a touchdown reception), the offense is able to break away from Wake's defense despite the efforts of Davaughn Patterson (13 total tackles) and Nick Andersen (9 total tackles).
Along with their 3 sacks, the Tigers' defense makes it challenging for the Wake offense. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier (12/21 for 126 passing yards) does throw 2 touchdowns, but is intercepted twice. The Deacs' run game is limited to 81 yards and a 3.1 yards per carry average, and the Tiger defense led by linebacker Wade Woodaz (6 total tackles and a sack) give them things to focus on leading into next week.
During our post-game interviews, Wake defensive lineman Kevin Pointer, linebacker Dylan Hazen, and quarterback Hank Bachmeier field our questions. All speak to the team focus and mindset as they look to getting back in the win column.
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