Tag: K.J. Henry

Swinney gives injury update on Bresee and Thomas

Clemson’s defensive line is very close to returning to full strength.

Clemson is close to having two of its star defensive linemen back from injury.

On Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney provided updates on defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Xavier Thomas.

Bresee, who is battling a non-football medical issue, missed last week’s game against NC State.

Although he will not play against Boston College on Saturday, Swinney said the junior defender should be able to play next week.

“He’s not going to play this week. He’s doing really, really good,” Swinney said. “Everything is great, but they have a protocol in place for him, so they’re going to condition him this week and push him this week. They started that yesterday. He feels great, and all of his numbers are where they need to be. But really just want to push him this week, and then if everything goes well, then I anticipate we’ll get him back going next week.”

Meanwhile, Thomas has yet to play in 2022 after suffering a foot injury in practice before the season started.

The fifth-year defensive end started in 10 games last season, and according to Swinney, his return to the field is imminent.

“He practiced last week. I’ve been saying it every week — he’s right there,” Swinney said. “It’s just Tuesday, so today will be a big day. He was kind of day-to-day last week and didn’t really feel quite there (to return), and he’s kind of right there. He’s better now than he was last week.”

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Clemson vs. NC State: Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game

Check out Clemson Wire’s Players of the Game following the Tigers 30-20 win over No. 10 NC State.

Each week Clemson Wire will choose an offensive and defensive Player of the Game following each of the Tigers matchups this season.

In their latest win over a Top-10 opponent in NC State, the Tigers offense was firing on all cylinders once again with bright spots in quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and his receiver core who together tallied 209 yards and one passing touchdown.

On the defensive side, Clemson still had many starters missing from the action including Bryan Bresee, cornerback Sheridan Jones, defensive end Xavier Thomas and cornerback Malcolm Green. Despite this, the Tigers were still able to put together a lights out performance that limited the Wolfpack’s offense to just two trips to the end zone and the final 10 point deficit that led to NC State’s first loss of the 2022 season.

Here are Clemson Wire’s picks for this week’s offensive and defensive Players of the Game.

Henry and Tigers’ defense ‘going to be a problem’ for any opponent

Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry believes the Tigers are close to putting together all the “puzzle pieces” and reaching their potential.

Following a Top-10 win over NC State in Week 5, Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry believes the Tigers are creeping in on their maximum potential.

Clemson’s defense, coupled with an efficient offensive showing, led the way in the victory over the Wolfpack, holding NC State’s offense to 279 total yards.

The performance was one week after the Tigers gave up 45 points to Wake Forest, so Henry knew the critical nature of a bounce-back outing.

“(It was a) great physical offensive line that we played against, but it was all about us. We knew we could play better,” Henry said. “We haven’t necessarily played up to our standard as a collective in all four quarters all season. We knew we could play better tonight. We feel that when we play to our best, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we’re going to be a problem.”

Henry and the Tigers’ defense was indeed a problem against the Wolfpack, as they also forced two turnovers and had five sacks on the night.

“In a game like this, you see what happens when we all bring the right mindset and a great week of preparation,” Henry said. “Now it’s all these puzzle pieces that we’re figuring out, and it’s about putting it together. And once we do, something special is going to happen.”

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end finished the Week 5 game with two total tackles and one fumble recovery.

Helping fill the void of the injured Xavier Thomas, Henry now has 20 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on the season.

Although the victory over in-division rival NC State was a pivotal stepping stone for the Tigers, the fifth-year senior added that the team must have a next-game mentality.

“This is just a game that we wanted to win because they were another team in our way,” Henry said. “We won’t be smoking no cigars or drinking out of no red solo cups tonight. It’s just water bottles and getting ready for the next one. That’s all we’re worried about.”

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Gallery: Clemson wins Top-10 matchup vs. NC State

Clemson came away with a Top-10 victory on Saturday, and the photos do the win justice.

In a Top-10 matchup with NC State on Saturday, Clemson’s defense was the star of the show in the Tigers’ 30-20 victory.

While Clemson gave up a field goal on NC State’s opening drive, the Wolfpack’s scoring would be scarce from then on out.

Outside of a last-minute score by NC State quarterback Devin Leary, the Tigers’ defense kept the Wolfpack in check, holding them to 279 total yards and 1.6 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense delivered when needed and essentially sealed the game when quarterback DJ Uiagalelei scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the game.

That said, here are the best photos from the Tigers’ victory over the Wolfpack.

Henry named Campbell Trophy semifinalist

Congrats to this defensive end who could join Christian Wilkins as the second Tiger in program history to earn the award.

Via Clemson Athletic Communications:

The National Football Foundation announced earlier today that Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry has been named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy.

Henry is one of 156 semifinalists across all levels of college football but is one of only six among that group to have already earned a master’s degree. The only other Clemson Tiger to earn the honor was defensive tackle Christian Wilkins back in 2018.

Check out the official press release below:

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) proudly announced today the 156 semifinalists for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. The impressive list of candidates boasts an impressive 3.62 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor’s degrees.

Celebrating its 33rd year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

2022 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® SEMIFINALISTS NOTES

  • 33rd year of the William V. Campbell Trophy®
  • 64th year of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments
  • 156 Semifinalists
  • 3.62 Average GPA
  • 93 Nominees who have already earned their bachelor’s degrees
  • 6 Nominees who have earned a master’s degree
  • 4 Nominees with a perfect 4.0 GPA
  • 42 Nominees with a 3.8 GPA or better
  • 60 Nominees with a 3.7 GPA or better
  • 20 Academic All-America selections
  • 97 Captains
  • 23 All-Americans
  • 81 All-Conference picks

“These 156 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “During the past seven decades, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards have recognized 891 college football players who excelled as the best our great sport has to offer. This year’s semifinalists build on the tradition, further illustrating the power of football in developing the next generation of influential leaders.”

The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 26, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports.

Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 33rd Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and Bellagio and a concierge service provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

“The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the semifinalists as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “We are extremely proud to highlight their achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates.”

Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 64th year in 2022. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player’s academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 891 outstanding individuals since the program’s inception. This year’s postgraduate scholarships will push the program’s all-time distribution to more than $12.3 million.

The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program’s prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and seven first-round NFL draft picks. Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special reception at the storied venue.

Known as “The Coach of Silicon Valley,” Campbell became one of our country’s most influential business leaders, playing critical roles in the success of Apple, Google, Intuit and countless other high-tech companies. The captain of the 1961 Columbia Ivy League championship team, he found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop, and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.

Later in life, Campbell was driven by a heartfelt desire to give back, and he quietly gave away tens of millions of dollars to multiple charities while also finding an hour and half each autumn weekday to coach an eighth-grade boys and girls flag-football team near his home in Palo Alto, California. Campbell passed away April 18, 2016, at the age of 75.

As part of its support of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, Fidelity Investments helped launch the NFF Faculty Salutes, which recognize the contributions of the faculty athletics representatives (FARs) at each of the institutions with a finalist for the Campbell Trophy®. The NFF will present each of the finalist’s FARs with a plaque and Fidelity will donate $5,000 for the academic support services at each school. The salutes have recognized 152 FARs since the program’s inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $755,000 in donations.

2022 Campbell Trophy® semifinalists by division and position:

  • 73 Nominees from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
  • 37 Nominees from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
  • 13 Nominees from NCAA Division II
  • 29 Nominees from NCAA Division III
  • 4 Nominees from the NAIA
  • 72 Offensive Players
  • 65 Defensive Players
  • 19 Special Teams Players

2022 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® SEMIFINALISTS

Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Alabama – Darrian Dalcourt
Appalachian State – Tyler Bird
Arkansas – Trey Knox
Auburn – Anders Carlson
Baylor – Dillon Doyle
Boise State – John Ojukwu
Bowling Green – Matt McDonald
Brigham Young – Clark Barrington
Buffalo – Alex McNulty
California – Matthew Cindric
Central Michigan – Robi Stuart
Clemson – K.J. Henry
Colorado – Daniel Arias
Duke – DeWayne Carter
Eastern Michigan – Dylan Drummond
Florida State – Wyatt Rector
Georgia – Jack Podlesny
Georgia State – Seth Glausier
Georgia Tech – Dylan Leonard
Illinois – Alex Pihlstrom
Indiana – Beau Robbins
Iowa – Jack Campbell
Iowa State – Jared Rus
Kansas – Sam Burt
Kansas State – Adrian Martinez
Kentucky – Colin Goodfellow
Liberty – Cooper McCaw
Memphis – Quindell Johnson
Miami (FL) – Lou Hedley
Michigan – Jake Moody
Middle Tennessee – Jordan Palmer
Mississippi State – Austin Williams
Missouri – Barrett Banister
Navy – John Marshall
Nebraska – Travis Vokolek
North Carolina State – Tim McKay
Northern Illinois – Michael Kennedy
Northwestern – Charlie Mangieri
Notre Dame – Josh Lugg
Ohio State – Bradley Robinson
Oklahoma – Drake Stoops
Oklahoma State – Tom Hutton
Old Dominion – Zack Kuntz
Oregon – Alex Forsyth
Oregon State – Jack Colletto
Penn State – Jonathan Sutherland
Pittsburgh – Habakkuk Baldonado
Rice – Wiley Green
Rutgers – Adam Korsak
San Jose State – Tre Jenkins
SMU – Tanner Mordecai
South Carolina – Jovaughn Gwyn
South Florida – Brad Cecil
Southern California – Nick Figueroa
Stanford – Walter Rouse
Syracuse – Dakota Davis
TCU – Dominic DiNunzio
Tennessee – Paxton Brooks
Texas – Roschon Johnson
Texas at San Antonio – Ahofitu Maka
Texas State – Russell Baker
Texas Tech – Marquis Waters
Troy – Austin Stidham
Tulane – Nick Anderson
UCF – Alex Ward
UCLA – Shea Pitts
Utah – R.J. Hubert
Utah State – Chandler Dolphin
Virginia – Brendan Farrell
Wake Forest – Michael Jurgens
Washington – Edefuan Ulofoshio
Washington State – Brennan Jackson
Western Michigan – Dylan Deatherage

Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
Brown – Lucas Ferraro
Bucknell – Brent Jackson
Columbia – Stewart Newblatt
Cornell – Jake Stebbins
Dartmouth – Nick Howard
Davidson – Bradyn Oakley
Dayton – Jake Chisholm
Eastern Illinois – Isaiah Hill
Fordham – Ryan Greenhagen
Georgetown – Mac Hollensteiner
Harvard – Truman Jones
Holy Cross – Peter Oliver
Houston Christian – Brennan Young
Jacksonville State – Zack Cangelosi
Lamar – Luke Wallis
Maine – Michael Gerace
Marist – Mike Arrington
Montana – Robby Hauck
New Hampshire – Niko Kvietkus
Nicholls – Glen Thurmond
Norfolk State – Marquis Hall
North Dakota – Cade Peterson
Northern Arizona – Anthony Sweeney
Northwestern State – Kaleb Fletcher
Princeton – Michael Ruttlen Jr.
Sacramento State – Abel Ordaz
South Dakota State – Reece Winkelman
St. Thomas – Seth Bickett
Stetson – Ethan Hull
Stonehill – David Satkowski
Stony Brook – Kyle Nunez
Tennessee Tech – Seth Carlisle
Texas A&M-Commerce – Michael Noble
UC Davis – Jayce Smalley
William & Mary – Carlton Fowler
Yale – Oso Ifesinachukwu
Youngstown State – Griffin Hoak

Division II
Ashland (OH) – Austin Brenner
Benedict (SC) – Ja’Ron Kilpatrick
Bentley (MA) – Jailen Branch
California (PA) – Noel Brouse
Colorado State Pueblo – Max Gonzales
Harding (AR) – Grant Fitzhugh
Minnesota State – Jalen Sample
Ouachita Baptist (AR) – Peyton Stafford
Pittsburg State (KS) – P.J. Sarwinski
Slippery Rock (PA) – Noah Grover
Southern Arkansas – Austin Wilkerson
Wayne State (MI) – Julius Wilkerson
Wingate (NC) – Trevor Grant

Division III
Allegheny (PA) – Hudson Alread
Bates (ME) – Tony Hooks
Berry (GA) – Jake Weitkamp
Chicago (IL) – Nicholas D’Ambrose
DePauw (IN) – Danny Sheehan
Gallaudet (DC) – Laron Thomas
Hampden-Sydney (VA) – Michael Harris
Hardin-Simmons (TX) – Cody Harral
Hobart (NY) – Cade Frucci
Hope (MI) – Daniel Romano
Johns Hopkins (MD) – JR Woods
Lake Forest (IL) – Dante Esposito
Lycoming (PA) – Cole Senior
Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX) – Sante Parker Jr.
Middlebury (VT) – Gregory Livingston
Millsaps (MS) – Nic Hayes
Rhodes (TN) – Reggie Matthews
Saint John’s (MN) – Michael Wozniak
Shenandoah (VA) – Mason Caldwell
Springfield (MA) – Lou Cocozza
Susquehanna (PA) – Elijah Hoffman
Trinity (CT) – Aidan Kennedy
Tufts (MA) – Johnathan Oneal
Washington & Jefferson (PA) – Alexander Keith
Waynesburg (PA) – Tyler Raines
Wesleyan (CT) – Matt Simco
Wisconsin Lutheran – Brevin Jegerlehner
Wisconsin-Stout – Sean Borgerding
Wooster (OH) – Lake Barrett

NAIA
Dakota State (SD) – Travis Rebstock
Morningside (IA) – Joe Dolincheck
Rocky Mountain (MT) – Andrew Simon
Southwestern (KS) – Drew Smith

Past recipients of the Campbell Trophy® include:
1990 – Chris Howard (Air Force)
1991 – Brad Culpepper (Florida)
1992 – Jim Hansen (Colorado)
1993 – Thomas Burns (Virginia)
1994 – Rob Zatechka (Nebraska)
1995 – Bobby Hoying (Ohio State)
1996 – Danny Wuerffel (Florida)
1997 – Peyton Manning (Tennessee)
1998 – Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia)
1999 – Chad Pennington (Marshall)
2000 – Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska)
2001 – Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami [FL])
2002 – Brandon Roberts (Washington U. in St. Louis [MO])
2003 – Craig Krenzel (Ohio State)
2004 – Michael Munoz (Tennessee)
2005 – Rudy Niswanger (LSU)
2006 – Brian Leonard (Rutgers)
2007 – Dallas Griffin (Texas)
2008 – Alex Mack (California)
2009 – Tim Tebow (Florida)
2010 – Sam Acho (Texas)
2011 – Andrew Rodriguez (Army West Point)
2012 – Barrett Jones (Alabama)
2013 – John Urschel (Penn State)
2014 – David Helton (Duke)
2015 – Ty Darlington (Oklahoma)
2016 – Zach Terrell (Western Michigan)
2017 – Micah Kiser (Virginia)
2018 – Christian Wilkins (Clemson)
2019 – Justin Herbert (Oregon)
2020 – Brady White (Memphis)
2021 – Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)

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What We Heard: K.J. Henry

On Monday, Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s game versus Wake Forest. Henry, a Winston-Salem native, was candid about that special feeling of returning home and how Wake Forest has been a special place for both …

On Monday, Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s game versus Wake Forest.

Henry, a Winston-Salem native, was candid about that special feeling of returning home and how Wake Forest has been a special place for both him and his entire family. 

Henry’s father, Keith Henry, served as special teams coordinator and coach for linebackers, defensive ends and defensive backs during his 11-year tenure with the Demon Deacons.

“I was six years old, seven years old, and I would be in the family section, yellow wig, cheering like no tomorrow for the Demon Deacons,” said Henry. “So, I know what their home locker room looks like.”

“Anytime I get to go home, I love it. It’s one of a kind for sure.”

Henry was frank with the media that the defense has not performed up to the standard they have expected of themselves. Although he conceded starters have been missing, for him it’s all about performing up to the standard you know the unit should be at and needs to be at as they enter conference play.

“Definitely not as dominant,” he said. “I expect us to shut out every team we play, just because that’s the standard we have for ourselves and the talent we have. With that being said, I think we’ve grown every week. We hit a little plateau against Furman, but definitely, some great things we put out there.”

No. 21 Wake Forest comes into Week 4 undefeated but looked less than dominant in their 37-36 victory over Liberty last Saturday. This hasn’t affected Henry’s mindset and how he views the threat Wake Forest is to Clemson and the entire Atlantic Division.

“Atlantic Division Champs. They are the team to beat,” he said. “If you want to take it [ACC Championship] from them, it’s going through Winston-Salem. That’s going to be for everyone on this side of the conference. If we want to get where we want to be at the end of the season, we have to handle business in Winston-Salem, there’s no way around it. That’s the mindset the whole week.”

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman displays qualities that could potentially be a threat to the Clemson defense and with his experience, he has seen a lot of looks from the Clemson defensive line in the past. Henry expressed what he thinks Wake Forest does well and how the defensive line plans to counter Wake Forest’s offense this Saturday.

“They’re really good at slow read inside zone and making you be patient, making you stay in gaps and making the trenches really work on both sides of the ball,” he said. “So, it’s going to be who wants it more. I think every game is going to be decided by the trenches and as a defensive line, we need to set the tone early that we are ready to play.” 

Henry described the Demon Deacons’ offense as continually pushing the line of scrimmage week after week and having a great ability to read their progressions; however, Henry believes it will be the intentionality and approach of the Clemson defense that will aid them in attacking the offensive tactics of Wake Forest.

“We have to be very intentional about holding ground and not moving, really staying in our gaps and being very disciplined,” he said. “Disciplined defense is not the most flashy defense, but it’s what wins games.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store.  There are only 100 of each signed.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Clemson taking hunter’s mentality into Wake Forest

For the better part of a decade, Clemson has been the cream of the crop in the ACC. And when it comes to the Tigers’ run-ins with Wake Forest, those haven’t been much of a contest. Clemson has been the Atlantic Division’s representative in the ACC …

For the better part of a decade, Clemson has been the cream of the crop in the ACC.

And when it comes to the Tigers’ run-ins with Wake Forest, those haven’t been much of a contest.

Clemson has been the Atlantic Division’s representative in the ACC title game eight times in the last 13 years, winning seven of those games and moving on to the College Football Playoff in six of those years. One has to go back even further to find the last time Wake Forest beat Clemson during the Tigers’ recent run of dominance.

It hasn’t happened since 2008, a year before Clemson made its first trip to the ACC championship game under Dabo Swinney. Since then, the Tigers’ average margin of victory against Wake Forest is 27 points. Only once during that time – a 31-28 win in 2011 – has the game been decided by fewer than two possessions.

Yet despite Clemson’s three-touchdown win in last year’s meeting – and Las Vegas having them as a 7-point road favorite this week – the Tigers are taking a hunter’s mentality into Saturday’s renewal of the series at Truist Field (noon, ABC). The way Swinney and his program see it, the Demon Deacons are the team everyone in the division is still chasing after Wake Forest snapped Clemson’s six-year streak of division titles a season ago.

“They hold the belt. Atlantic Division champs,” defensive end K.J. Henry said. “They are the team to beat. If you want to take it from them, it’s going through Winston Salem. That’s for everybody on this side of the conference.”

With veteran quarterback Sam Hartman back leading the offense after undergoing surgery last month to remove a blood clot, Wake Forest certainly has the look of a division contender once again. The Demon Deacons are second in the ACC in scoring at 42 points per game, a point ahead of their pace last season when they finished fourth nationally in that category.

Wake Forest also owns the league’s second-best passing attack at more than 303 yards per game. Hartman has thrown seven touchdowns in the two games he’s played and has one of the ACC’s more difficult matchup problems at his disposal on the outside in 6-foot-5 wideout A.T. Perry, who’s averaging 18.5 yards per reception.

“We respect what they’ve done and the way they’ve built that program, so there’s absolutely no complacency on our part,” co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn said. “We are full throttle ahead.”

Clemson held Wake Forest to 27 points in last year’s matchup in large part because of the pressure it created up front. The Tigers took Hartman and the Demon Deacons’ other quarterbacks out of their rhythm by getting to them for eight sacks. In all, Clemson racked up 10 tackles for loss in the three-touchdown victory.

Clemson is expected to have star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (death in family) back for Saturday’s game, but exactly how intact the rest of the Tigers’ ailing defensive front will be remains to be seen. Defensive tackle Tyler Davis (undisclosed injury) has missed the last two games while defensive end Xavier Thomas (foot) has yet to play this season after sustaining his injury during preseason camp. Backup lineman Tre Williams (knee) was also held out.

Defensive backs Andrew Mukuba (elbow), Nate Wiggins (hip flexor) and Sheridan Jones (stinger) also missed part if not all of last week’s game with injuries. While Swinney spoke in generalities this week about the status of his team’s health, he said he’s expecting some of those players to be back this weekend and hopeful on others.

Offensively, D.J. Uiagalelei is taking some early season momentum into the matchup. Clemson’s quarterback has a 65% completion rate – 10 percentage points higher than his percentage from last season – and has accounted for three times as many touchdowns (6) as turnovers (2).

The ground game, led by Will Shipley’s 7 yards per carry, is also coming off its best game after piling up a season-high 280 yards on the ground a week ago. The offense will need more of that against a Wake Forest defense that, with a plus-5 turnover margin to this point, will try to help the Demon Deacons get just their fourth win at home over Clemson since 1993.

What’s happened in the past, though, isn’t the Tigers’ primary concern. While Swinney noted his team can’t win the division in late September, another win over Wake Forest would go a long way toward helping the Tigers regain their perch with games against the likes of N.C. State and Florida State still on the schedule.

“You can stay in control, and we prefer that,” Swinney said.

That puts Clemson’s focus squarely on taking care of business in Winston-Salem this time around.

“There’s no way around it,” Henry said. “Regardless of the success we had with them last year, they were in the ACC championship, not us. And that’s because we didn’t handle our business throughout the year.

“It’s definitely a get-it-back mindset. We’re ready to go up there and wreak havoc. We’re excited, and we’re determined for sure.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store.  There are only 100 of each signed.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

5 reasons Clemson gets the win over Wake Forest

5 reasons why the Tigers should handle business against Wake Forest

Dabo Swinney and Clemson take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at 12 p.m. at Truist Field in Winston-Salem (N.C.) this Saturday.

The No.5 Tigers are coming off a 48-20 Week 3 win over Louisiana Tech in a game where Clemson looked solid though fans and analysts expect more out of Swinney’s team. An away matchup with Dave Clawson’s No.16 Wake Forest is a huge test and opportunity for this Clemson team to make a statement on the road.

Clemson has dominated this matchup since Dabo Swinney’s first full season as head coach back in 2009. Since then, Swinney and the Tigers haven’t lost with a 13-0 record against the Demon Deacons in the Swinney era. Their last loss to Wake Forest back in 2008 directly resulted in the promotion of Swinney from wide receiver coach to interim head coach, and we all know how things turned out from there. 

(Watch and stream the game live on ESPN+)

Will Swinney and the Tigers extend their win streak to 14-games against the Demon Deacons? It is an excellent opportunity for this Clemson team, and they have the tools to do it.

Here are five reasons why Clemson will walk away with a win in their away game against Wake Forest: 

 

Five Clemson players to keep an eye on against Wake Forest

As Clemson prepares to take on No. 21 Wake Forest, here are five Tigers fans should watch when the two teams face off on Saturday.

Clemson will play its first ranked opponent of the season on Saturday, as the No. 5-ranked Tigers will face off against the No. 21-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Although Clemson enters Saturday as the favorite to win, multiple Tigers will be under the spotlight to see how they perform against one of the best teams in the ACC.

Even with Clemson winning its previous 13 matchups with Wake Forest, the Tigers have not played a team with the same skill level as the Demon Deacons thus far into the season.

(Watch and stream the game live on ESPN+)

Specifically, Wake Forest poses a threat with its offensive capabilities, and the team’s defense is the most talented the Tigers have played thus far.

With both teams sitting at 3-0 on the year, this matchup could end up being the deciding factor in which team takes the Atlantic Divison crown.

That said, here are five Tigers fans should pay close attention to during Saturday’s game.

Will Clemson’s defensive line be whole again against Wake Forest?

Clemson’s defense hasn’t looked like the dominant force many expected to see coming into the season, particularly considering the level of competition the Tigers have faced through three games. Clemson also hasn’t played any of those games at full …

Clemson’s defense hasn’t looked like the dominant force many expected to see coming into the season, particularly considering the level of competition the Tigers have faced through three games.

Clemson also hasn’t played any of those games at full strength up front.

Will that change in time for what will easily be the Tigers’ stiffest test of the season Saturday when they travel to take on No. 21 Wake Forest in an early Atlantic Division showdown? 

The answer is still to be determined, though Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said his team is in a “much better place” from an injury standpoint going into the weekend. The Tigers’ defensive line, widely viewed as arguably the best in college football leading up to the season, has been hit with its share of attrition already.

The patchwork group held its own against FCS foe Furman and, most recently, Louisiana Tech. The Tigers still rank in the top 12 nationally in rush defense and tackles for loss but have just five sacks so far. That ranks in the bottom half of the FBS.

Defensive end K.J. Henry, who’s starting in the place of the injured Xavier Thomas for the time being, said the line is capable of taking its game to another level when intact.

“The sky is the limit for when everybody is healthy,” Henry said. “Now that being said, the game we play, I don’t know if we’ll get everybody healthy, especially not 100%. Ain’t nobody going to be 100%. But as we start to get guys matriculating back in, we’re just going to keep getting better and better.”

The good news for the group is star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is expected to return to the lineup Saturday after missing the Louisiana Tech game following the recent passing of his sister. But Clemson played last week without two other starters up front in Thomas (foot) and Tyler Davis (undisclosed).

The Tigers were also without a third defensive tackle in Tre Williams, who was held out with a knee injury. Davis, Bresee’s running mate on the interior, has missed the last two games while Thomas has yet to play this season after sustaining his injury during the latter part of preseason camp, though they could be back sooner rather than later.

While Swinney kept things close to the vest when asked Wednesday about the status of the Tigers’ injured players, he said last week that Davis probably could have played against Louisiana Tech if he was needed, an indication Davis may have simply been held out again as a precaution. As for Thomas, Swinney reiterated the senior edge defender is close to returning and cracked a smile when asked specifically if Thomas will be available for Saturday’s game.

“Maybe,” Swinney said. “I’m hopeful.”

In the meantime, Clemson has gotten a closer look at some of its linemen further down the depth chart who have helped fill in. Kevin Swint, a former linebacker who averaged less than eight snaps a game in his first two seasons with the Tigers, has 11 tackles and a fumble recovery as part of the rotation at end with Henry, Myles Murphy and Justin Mascoll. On the interior, sophomore Payton Page logged a season-high 23 snaps last week. Third-year sophomore DeMonte Capehart, who played just 20 snaps all of last season, got in for 17 snaps.

Co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn said being able to build the kind of depth Clemson is going to need over the course of the season is a silver lining to all the attrition. But now would be a good time for the Tigers to start getting some of their frontline guys back if they want to maximize their chances of disrupting what’s been one of the ACC’s most prolific offenses to this point.

Wake Forest is bringing the league’s second-highest scoring offense and second-best passing offense into Saturday’s matchup.

“When you play hopefully a 15-game season, you’ve got to build that depth. You’ve got to build that confidence,” Conn said. “I’m excited we got to do it here early, but it’ll be great to get (our starting linemen) back. I’m excited about that.”

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