Clemson made a statement with a commanding 59-35 win over NC State, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive dominance. The Tigers took control early, jumping out to a 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, largely thanks to their defense creating two critical turnovers that immediately set up touchdowns for Cade Klubnik and the offense. By halftime, the Wolfpack had only managed one touchdown, and Clemson had held them to just 29 rushing yards.
T.J. Parker’s strip sack in the first quarter ignited the defense, giving Clemson the ball deep in NC State territory. Five plays later, Klubnik connected with Antonio Williams for a two-yard touchdown, further extending Clemson’s lead. Parker was thrilled with how the team clicked on both sides of the ball.
“I love seeing it go hand-in-hand,” he said. “We work hard together, and it’s great to see both the offense and defense thriving.”
According to Parker, Clemson’s defense didn’t need to rely on offensive success to stay motivated. “Even if [the offense] went three-and-out, we’re still going to have that same energy. We love playing football,” he explained.
Parker believes the improved play of Clemson’s offense has only made the defense stronger. “Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “They work hard, and it pushes us to get better too.”
The Tigers will look to keep their momentum going as they prepare to host Stanford next Saturday at Memorial Stadium.