Clemson followers lastly obtained the sport from D.J. Uiagalelei that they’ve been ready for, ending with 371 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. You’d determine that type of day would result in a blowout of No. 21 Wake Forest with the protection we’re accustomed to seeing from the Tigers. After two overtimes and greater than 1,000 yards of whole offense, the perennial convention champions held off the reigning kings of the ACC, 51-45.
Demon Deacon QB Sam Hartman tallied six landing passes, repeatedly hitting receivers for large performs — or pass-interference flags — up till the second time beyond regulation when the hopes of an upset have been dashed on a fourth down heave to the endzone. Tiger cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was getting focused all day, made the game-sealing cross breakup, and Dabo Swinney’s staff escaped Winston-Salem with its successful streak — now at 10 — nonetheless intact.
As comforting as Uiagalelei’s efficiency was, the protection is simply as regarding. The defensive entrance was with out one in all its greatest gamers, in order that they’re not at full energy. But they’ve proven some hints the previous couple of weeks that they could be lacking coordinator Brent Venables, and now these indicators are blinking shiny pink.
I preferred Wake Forest’s probabilities in Saturday’s sport, however my questions have been extra in regards to the quarterback. Clemson has allowed greater than 40 factors solely 5 instances prior to now five-plus years. Notre Dame, LSU, Ohio State, and Pitt have been liable for the earlier 4, and now Wake Forest is on that listing.
Outdoors of a one-play possession that ran out the ultimate 14 seconds of the primary half, Wake scored on five-straight drives from the second quarter to the fourth. Dave Clawson’s insistence on the run throughout the Deacs’ closing probability at a rating in regulation — Clemson’s solely cease of the second half — was a bizarre technique contemplating how sizzling Hartman was.
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Saying Dabo out-coached him might not be accurate either as his equally hot offense wasn’t even given a chance to get within field goal range with 49 seconds left to try to win the game sans OT, and Wake hemorrhaging yards. (He also ran his kicker out for a 52-yarder to tie the game with four minutes left in the game, and his trust was rewarded as B.T. Potter drilled the kick.)
The day belonged to Uiagalelei though. This was the exact type of command and playmaking Clemson fans have been waiting for out of him, and it came in a high-pressure situation. The 371 yards passing is the second highest output of his career, and his first game with 300-plus yards since Nov. 7, 2020. The five passing scores are a career-high by three TDs.
He made plenty of tough throws, but the hardest came on a two-point conversion in the third quarter to tie the contest at 28. Under pressure, with a Deacon holding his leg, he found receiver Beaux Collins despite only having one foot on the ground.
Even though Wake’s defense leaves a lot to be desired — the fangless three-man rushes allowed Uiagalelei enough time to write a memoir — this was as perfect of a game as a quarterback can play.
No. 12 NC State and QB Devin Leary visit Death Valley next week, and if the Wolfpack can get by UConn, College Gameday could find itself with another orange-heavy destination. The Clemson defense will have another veteran quarterback to contain, but that can be said of both teams.
