CLEMSON, S.C. — Playing on a sweltering day in front of a hostile crowd in Clemson, the N.C. State football team was steamrolled by the No. 21 Tigers, 59-35.
The Wolfpack (2-2, 0-1 ACC) could not slow down the Clemson (2-1, 1-0 ACC) offense for most of the day. The Tigers shot out to a 21-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the first quarter on three touchdown passes from quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Clemson scored touchdowns on each of its first four possessions and held a 28-0 lead before N.C. State broke through for the first time on a five-yard pass from C.J. Bailey to Jordan Waters.
After the Wolfpack's first score, Clemson went on a 24-0 run before N.C. State managed another touchdown.
Clubnik finished the game 16-of-24 for 209 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Antonio Williams. On the ground, running back Phil Mafah racked up 107 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries.
This was the first start for N.C. State freshman C.J. Bailey, who is filling in for an injured Grayson McCall. He finished the game 16-of-25 for 204 yards, one touchdown, one interception and one fumble.
N.C. State ran for 179 yards as a team, led by Kendrick Raphael's 90 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
At 2-2, N.C. State is not where it wants to be after opening the season as a ranked team. The Wolfpack will try to turn things around next week at home against No. 23 Northern Illinois.
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