Clemson blows out NC State, 59-35, as Wolfpack opens ACC play with a stunning loss

Several N.C. State players hung their heads as the team walked off the field at halftime Saturday, trailing Clemson, 45-7. The team looked dejected, uninspired.

The Pack didn’t look much better walking off the field at the conclusion of the game.

The team hoped to win in Death Valley for the first time since 2002, but instead looked no better than Appalachian State did two weeks ago.

N.C. State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) lost to Clemson (2-1, 1-0 ACC), 59-35, in the Wolfpack’s conference opener Saturday. True freshman quarterback CJ Bailey got his first career start against the Tigers, but he didn’t get much help as the Wolfpack finished with its worst performance of the season.

The defense, which had a pick-six in its past two games, made a negligible impact against Clemson. It gave up 524 yards for an average of 7.9 yards per play. At halftime, the Pack had allowed 408 yards, more than it gave up in the entire 2023 matchup.

On offense, those around Bailey couldn’t consistently block or make the routine plays that would have put N.C. State back in the game. It notched 440 yards, which is more than what it did last season, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the defensive issues.

The team put together a solid drive early in the fourth quarter — before Clemson replaced everyone — featuring a 24-yard reception by Justin Joly and 21-yard rush from Hollywood Smothers, but the positives will be overshadowed by the negatives that overshadowed the rest of the gain.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

Pack unable to overcome another slow start

N.C. State’s offense struggled to get into a rhythm for the fourth consecutive game, scoring 10 total first-quarter points this season. Saturday’s game was the second of the season where the Pack didn’t score at all in the first 15 minutes. The first took place against Tennessee.

The struggles can’t be put on Bailey, who, all things considered, performed with poise.

Instead, it seemed like everything else went wrong. The blocking game lacked toughness, which led to a sack and fumble in the first quarter. Clemson scored a 2-yard touchdown on the error.

On the following drive, wide receiver KC Concepcion fumbled the ball. Tigers running back Phil Mafa recorded the 38-yard rushing touchdown to take a 28-0 lead, the most first-quarter points scored by a Wolfpack opponent in program history.

N.C. State’s run game was virtually nonexistent in the first frame, too. The offense picked up 94 total yards but only four came on the ground, averaging 0.4 yards gained per attempt. It didn’t get much better in the second, averaging 2.8 per carry, so the decision to continue running the football seemed illogical when Clemson’s starters were on the field.

On the opposite side, the Pack allowed the Tigers to gain 222 yards in the first quarter, roughly two-thirds of the total yardage it allowed in 2023.

Starts like that — from either side of the football — won’t win very many games.

CJ Bailey shows toughness in starting debut

Bailey became the first true freshman to start for N.C. State in an ACC road game since Philip Rivers did it in 2000. The rookie earned the job after graduate quarterback Grayson McCall left the Louisiana Tech game with an injury.

Just like last week, Bailey and the Wolfpack offense had to play from behind. Bailey couldn’t, however, power the team to a comeback victory this time.

The final score doesn’t accurately reflect Bailey’s performance. The freshman looked mature in the backfield against a tough Clemson team. He started 10 of 11 passing, including seven straight, and added four explosive passing plays for 98 yards. His first play of the game was a 14-yard pass to Jordan Waters for a first down.

He ended the game 16 of 25 passing for 204 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Bailey took off several times during the game as well in an attempt to manufacture yards. It didn’t always work; he ended the game with negative rushing yards. The freshman, however, looked confident and didn’t allow mistakes to rattle him. His future is beyond bright.

Wolfpack bailed out by penalties

Clemson fans booed after running back Kendrick Raphael ran the ball into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown with 6:38 remaining in the third quarter. N.C. State picked up 41 yards on the scoring drive after officials called three pass interference penalties on the Tigers.

A Clemson face mask penalty in the second quarter gave N.C. State’s offense a free first down and extended its drive. The Pack turned that opportunity into a 5-yard touchdown.

The Wolfpack wasn’t in scoring position for most of the game, finishing behind midfield on six drives and four in the first half. Basically, the team needed those penalties or the final score would have been much worse.