LINDY'S POSTGAME REPORT

No. 3 Clemson steamrolls No. 16 NC State … again

Dick Cox

October 21, 2018 at 12:52 pm.

Oct 20, 2018; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) avoids the tackle by North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Tanner Ingle (10)  during the first quarter of the game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Photo Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 20, 2018; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) avoids the tackle by North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Tanner Ingle (10) during the first quarter of the game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Photo Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Etienne scored three touchdowns on short runs, and freshmen quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for a career-high 308 yards on 26 of 39 passing with one touchdown and no interceptions as the third-ranked Clemson Tigers rolled over 16th-ranked NC State, 41-7 in the battle of two previously undefeated ACC teams.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and marched 57 yards on nine plays to score the game’s first touchdown and never looked back, leading the entire game. Clemson built the lead to 31-0 before the Wolpack final got on the scoreboard with a fourth quarter touchdown.

Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney said after the game that the Tigers finally played a game up to their full potential.

“Our guys were locked in and committed to preparation all week long,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “That was a dominant performance today. NC State’s a good football team. We complemented each other in all phases of the game and put together a total team effort. We committed no turnovers on offense and forced three turnovers on defense. We had great energy from start to finish.

“We also played 85 guys and picked up the second-largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent for us.”

The Tigers’ offense racked up 471 total yards on 80 plays, while their defense only allowed NC State 297 yards on 67 plays. The Wolfpack came into the game as the top ranked passing team in the ACC and the Tigers held them to 193 yards through the air.

NC State head coach Dave Doren said, “You have to give Clemson a lot of credit because they played really well. Obviously,I don’t think we did and I own that. We turned the ball over and weren’t good on third down. We didn’t tackle well enough and [Clemson] played a really good football game. I give Dabo, his staff and his players credit. We just didn’t do the things we needed to do today.”

Etienne became the first player in Clemson history to score three touchdowns in each of three consecutive games. He also added to his career-long streak of games with a rushing touchdown by running for a score in his seventh consecutive game. Etienne’s third-quarter touchdown run gave him an ACC-leading 14 this season.

The Tigers (7-0, 4-0) opened with seven straight wins for the third time in four seasons in topping the Wolfpack (5-1, 2-1) for the seventh consecutive season.

Watch the postgame video here

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