Clemson Cruises Past Wake In Dominating Fashion

Cade Klubnik led the Clemson Tigers to a win over Wake Forest to improve to 5-1 on the season, completing 31 of 41 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. The defense helped get their momentum rolling after a scoreless first quarter with back-to-back interceptions, turning the tide in a big way. Running back Phil Mafah added 118 yards on the ground and two TD’s of his own.

Here’s how it all went down in Winston Salem on Saturday afternoon.

Clemson won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Deacons got the first shot as they got rolling from their 25-yard line, with Desmond Claiborne picking up a 9-yard gain on first down. This was all for not, though, as the Tigers D would shut things down and force a three and out.

After a 54-yard punt from Ivan Mora, Clemson got things started at their own 15-yard line. They wasted no time getting the chains moving, as Cade Klubnik connected with T.J. Moore for 18-yards on the opening play of the drive. However, facing a 3rd and five at their 38-yard line, pressure from Wake Forest would force an early, inaccurate throw, forcing a punt.

Wake’s second possession started at their own 21-yard line. It took two plays before they picked up their opening first down of the game, then they started cooking. Two plays later we got our first flag of the game with an offsides on Clemson, giving the Deacons a new set of downs near midfield. The Tigers would settle down and force another punt, setting up the offense at theor own 12.

After picking up consecutive first downs, the Tigers’ drive fizzled. A fumbled snap on the second down led to a third and 16 for Klubnik, who was swarmed in the backfield and ultimately got gang-sacked by Jasheen Davis and Bryce Ganious.

Following the punt, Wake Forest would get some momentum going. After a 15-yard PI call against Clemson, the Deacons were set up 1st and 10 at the Tigers 33. Three plays later, Hank Bachmeier connected with Horatio Fields for 31 yards into the endzone to make it a 7-0 early lead for Wake with 1:32 left in the 1st quarter.

The first punch wasn’t taken lightly by the Tigers as they found the momentum wave themselves. Klubnik led an eight-play 75 yard drive with poise, capping it with a 22-yard TD pass to Antonio Williams. This tied things up, however, the tie would be left in the rearview soon.

On the ensuing possession for Wake, Bachmeier was picked off in the 2nd play of the drive by Tigers safety Kylon Griffin. This made it 1st and 10 at the Wake 23 yard line.

Two plays later and Phil Mafah was taking it in for six to give the Tigers the 14-7 lead on back-to-back scores in a minute and five seconds. The bleeding wasn’t over, though, as Bachmeier was picked off for a second time on the next possession.

This time it came on a tipped pass as Khalil Barnes hauled in the pick. Clemson’s offense went to work at their own 43.

Klubnik completed five of five passes on the drive to lead the Tigers back into a goal-to-go situation. That’s where Mafah would punch it in again to make it a 21-7 lead for Clemson with 6:46 left in the 1st half.

Down but not out, Bachmeier went back under center and regained his composure. He would lead an eight-play 75-yard drive of his own to bring the Deacs back within a score, as he connected with Michael Frogge for a six-yard TD.

Clemson had more in the arsenal ahead of the half, with 3:18 on the clock. Following four straight rushes tallying 46 yards on the ground, Klubnik completed back-to-back passes, capping the drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Troy Stellato.

At the half, Clemson had a 28-14 lead over Wake.

As the second half got underway, it was Clemson with first possesion and they continued where they left off. Klubnik led a 10 play 75 yard drive that ate 5:08 off the clock and extended their lead to three scores as he connected with Adam Randall for the nine-yard score.

The Tiger defense then cranked their level, forcing the Deacs into a quick three-and-out, after a four-yard loss by the RB Claiborne on 2nd down. This was followed by an 11-yard sack of Bachmeier on the next play by Barrett Carter, forcing a punt.

Klubnik would again lead a scoring strike to take it to a 42-14 lead for the tenth-ranked Tigers. This time, though, it was a pitch to Antonio Williams, who connected with Jake Briningstool for the 28-yard score.

As the Deacons offense came it, it was a new QB under center in Michael Kern, as the damage was done. Wake Forest would finish the third quarter with -11 yards of total offense, while the Tigers had 147.

Keith Adams Jr. would get in on the scoring action for the Tigers in the 4th quarter with a four-yard rushing score. That would be the final tally in this one as Clemson headed back to Death Valley with a 49-14 win.

Written by Adrian Beecher

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