Clemson needs overtime to get past NC State

The Clemson Tigers needed overtime to get past unranked North Carolina State.

The third-ranked Clemson Tigers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack squared off at Memorial Stadium in South Carolina on Saturday in what many expected to be a lop-sided game. Instead, the Wolfpack pushed the undefeated Tigers to the limits.

The Tigers erased a seven-point deficit at halftime with an interception returned for a touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter. A fourth quarter touchdown run from NC State’s Matthew Dayes once again tied the game at 17 apiece in the drive after Clemson took the lead.

But overtime wasn’t kind to the Wolfpack. Clemson was able to find the end zone on their possession. On NC State’s first play of their overtime possession, quarterback Ryan Finley went deep and was picked off by Marcus Edmond to end the game.

Players of the Game

1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB – Threw the football over 5 times for over 350 yards of passing. He did have an interception that was costly, but he had crucial touchdowns like the game-winning strike to Artavis Scott in overtime.

2. Matthew Dayes, NC State, RB – Dayes rushed the ball for over 100 yards and a touchdown to put NC State in position to knock off an undefeated team looking to make a run at the national championship.

3. Mike Williams, Clemson, WR – Caught 12 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in a tight game.

What’s Next

Next week Clemson goes on the road to take on fourth-ranked Florida State. This game could not only have implications on the ACC title picture, but the College Football Playoff picture.

NC State doesn’t get a break from an emotionally devastating loss to Clemson. They head back out on the road to face seventh-ranked Louisville and Heisman Trophy candidate, errr lock, Lamar Jackson.