Clemson’s offense continues to thrive

CLEMSON 59, NC STATE 35

Klubnik, No. 21 Tigers beat the Wolfpack in ACC opener

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Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates a 55-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. during Saturday’s game in Clemson, S.C. Artie Walker Jr/ap

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By Pete Iacobelli Associated Press

CLEMSON, S.C. — Cade Klubnik threw for three touchdowns and added a 55-yard scoring run as No. 21 Clemson continued its offensive revival with a 59-35 victory over N.C. State to start Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday.

Klubnik and the offense got going two weeks ago when the Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) scored touchdowns on all eight of their first-half possessions on the way to a 66-20 win over Appalachian State.

This one was over just as quickly as Klubnik burst through a hole for a 55-yard touchdown run, the longest scoring scamper by a Clemson QB since Trevor Lawrence went for 67 yards against Ohio State in 2019.

Klubnik followed with scoring throws of 31 and 2 yards to Antonio Williams. When Phil Mafah ran for a 38-yard touchdown a short time later, Clemson was up 28-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter.

N.C. State (2-2, 0-1) could not respond, losing its 10th straight game at Death Valley.

Klubnik finished 16 for 24 for 209 yards, coming to the sidelines after his final touchdown throw of 4 yards to Adam Randall early in the third quarter.

Mafah had 107 yards rushing, his second straight game over the century mark.

It was the most points scored in an ACC game since Clemson’s 62-17 victory over Virginia in the league championship game five years ago. The win was also the 800th in program history for Clemson, the 14th FBS team to reach that many and first ACC school to accomplish that.

The Tigers hope to pile on many more wins this season, particularly with an offense clicking like it is.

Cole Turner and Jay Haynes added second-quarter rushing TDs as Clemson led 45-7 at the break and kept piling it on from there.

N.C. State’s CJ Bailey, a 6-foot-6 freshman who started his first game for injured quarterback Grayson McCall, stood as tall as he could against Clemson’s intense pressure. He threw for 204 yards and a touchdown, but also lost a fumble and gave up a 53-yard pick six interception by cornerback Ashton Hampton that put Clemson ahead 59-14 in the third quarter.

The Wolfpack scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter — all against Clemson reserves — to tighten things up. They finished with 440 yards, 210 coming in the final period.