Clemson simply isn’t built to win conference games against good opponents in a blowout style. To expect that from the Tigers is folly. To expect DJ Uiagalelei to magically transform into Trevor Lawrence or Deshaun Watson is, too. He is what he is, and ya know what? That’s pretty good for these Tigers right now, after earning a complete 30–20 win over NC State. Uiagalelei had 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground showcasing his legs, which he had been reluctant to do last year.
Even without star lineman Brian Bresee, who was ruled out shortly before the game, Clemson’s defense stood tall in Week 5, stymying the Wolfpack most of the evening (a late garbage time score got the final scoring margin to 10). What really hampered NC State was a true inability to run the ball against a stout Clemson front. That limited the play-action passing game ,and although QB Devin Leary started hot, he was unable to maintain that performance. Despite all of their early-season struggles relative to their lofty championship heights, the Tigers are still the standard in the ACC and they showed tonight that they’ve still got it.
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