3 Takeaways from Clemson Football's blowout of No. 10 Wake Forest

3 Takeaways from Clemson Football’s blowout of No. 10 Wake Forest

By Dante Pryor | Nov 20, 2021

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons watches his team play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Truist Field on October 30, 2021 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 45-7. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

2. Wake Forest could not block Clemson

247sports’ lead scout Bud Elliot said on the Cover 3 podcast this week that he believed that the gap between Clemson’s and Wake Forest’s defense was more expansive than their offenses. It turns out he was correct. The Demon Deacons could not block Clemson’s defensive front.

It was not just defensive coordinator Brent Venables throwing pressures everywhere, but the Tigers also got pressure from its front four. Myles Murphy, Etinosa Reuben, Tyler Davis and K.J. Henry all had sacks today for the Tigers.

That was not the case for the Demon Deacons. Other than a couple of pressures, Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagelelei threw all game from a relatively clean pocket. The nearly 300 yard differential in rushing yards between the teams also proved how dominant the Tigers were upfront today.

The Clemson defensive front dealt with injuries much like their offensive counterparts. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee was injured for the season earlier this year, with Henry Davis and Murphy all dealing with injuries.

Despite not having Bresee, the Tigers got most of their depth back along their defensive line, and their improved health has begun to pay dividends. Today was their best (and healthiest) performance of the season.

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