No slowing these Tigers: Wake Forest becomes Clemson’s sixth-straight blowout victim
A couple of weeks ago, the Clemson-Wake Forest game looked like one that would decide the ACC Atlantic Division and could be Clemson’s toughest test of the regular season.
The Demon Deacons were 7-1, ranked in the top 20 and had an offense ranked in the top 15 nationally.
Instead, the Tigers did to Wake Forest what they’ve done to every other team they’ve played for the past month and a half — absolutely dominate.
Clemson crushed the Demon Deacons 52-3 on Senior Day at Death Valley, improving to 11-0 (8-0 ACC) with only the rivalry game at South Carolina remaining in the regular season. The Tigers held Wake Forest (7-3, 3-3), which was playing without two of its top three receivers, to 105 yards of offense — Wake Forest’s lowest total since 2014.
“It was a great day. Always a bittersweet day,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s just kind of human nature to reflect and really just think about what’s happened over the last four years and some cases five years with these seniors. A great week of practice. Wake Forest is a good football team and I’m just super proud of our guys because they just keep getting ready … they show up and prepare well.”
Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence tossed four touchdown passes for the first time in his career, while Travis Etienne rushed for 121 yards and a score in what could be the junior’s final home game at Clemson if he decides to turn pro.
Etienne topped the 100-yard mark for the sixth consecutive game, while Lawrence has passed for at least three touchdowns in six straight.
“We’re playing our best football really the last six games. We’ve played really well,” Swinney said.
Defensively the Tigers were led by safety Tanner Muse, who had two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception, all coming in the first half.
A.J. Terrell also recorded an interception, and the Tigers finished with 10 tackles for loss. The 105 yards of offense were the fewest Clemson has allowed against an FBS opponent since 2009.
Clemson created a pair of turnovers and turned the ball over once as backup quarterback Chase Brice threw an interception.
“Just can’t say enough about our preparation,” Swinney said. “The turnovers were huge for us. It was just a complete game. We’re a talented team and when we play complementary football we can overwhelm an opponent.”
THREE POINTS
Star of the game: Tanner Muse was all over the field early, ending Wake Forest’s second drive of the game with an interception and its first drive of the second quarter with a sack. The Tigers led 31-3 at the half.
Plays of the game: Trevor Lawrence connected with Tee Higgins for a pair of touchdowns in the final minute of the first half as Clemson turned what was still a competitive game into a laugher.
Stat of the game: 5 ... Wake Forest finished the game with five first downs.
NEXT
Who: Clemson at South Carolina
When: Saturday, Nov. 30
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium; Columbia, SC
TV: TBA
This story was originally published November 16, 2019 at 6:42 PM.
