Clemson Football: Three takeaways from home win against NC State

Clemson Football wins a physical game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Last season, the NC State Wolfpack upset the Clemson Tigers, effectively ending their reign as ACC champions. That loss had to be on the mind of Dabo Swinney and his team. Wolfpack quarterback Devin Leary was expected to have a big season, leading NC State to a possible conference title.

In front of over 80,000 fans, the Clemson Tigers got their win back in the “Textile Bowl” against the Wolfpack in Deat Valley East 30-13. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had another solid performance, with nearly 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Clemson dominated the trenches. 

The Tigers were missing some of their starting defensive linemen. Bryan Breese and Xavier Thomas were two defensive linemen unavailable for tonight’s game. Despite injuries to two key players on the defense, the Tigers were able to pressure Devin Leary all game long and limit the Wolfpack rushing game to a meager 34 yards.

Leary’s timing was thrown off all game long by the Clemson pressure because NC State could not run when Clemson played two deep safeties.

Offensively, the Tigers’ offensive line blocked as well as they have all season. The running game was not spectacular, but it was compelling enough for the offense to keep the chains moving. Clemson’s offense ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns.