Clemson Tigers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Recap

Clemson 31, Wake Forest 28

As Wake Forest running back Brandon Pendergrass dashed 33 yards to the endzone to put the Demon Deacons up 28-14, before a shocked Clemson Memorial Stadium in the third quarter Saturday – you couldn’t help but think, “Is this the same old Clemson?”

Were they back? The team that constantly underachieved and played maddeningly inconsistent football week-to-week – not quite, with a little help from Wake Forest, and a little demon-exorcising en route to a 31-28 win to clinch the ACC’s Atlantic Division and a trip to the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, the ACC’s leader in total offense per game and touchdowns passes by a mile, wasn’t sharp to say the least – way off on several throws and completing 7-of-14 first half passes with an interception (and a few near-misses on picks).

But the Tigers (9-1, 6-1 ACC) were up 14-7 at the half, leading but not playing well, and soon, Wake Forest (5-5, 4-3 ACC) took advantage.

After holding down the Deacs at their four-yard line, Clemson’s offensive woes bit them with a three-and-out and punt out of the endzone, which Wake Forest returner Michael Campanaro took in stride – tip-toeing the sidelines 50 yards to tie up the game.

> Check out a great selection of Clemson Tigers Apparel & Merchandise & be sure to check out the ACC Football Scores & Standings!

The Tigers’ spiral out of control continued with a fumble by the usually-reliable junior running back Andre Ellington, which two plays later, Demon Deacons tailback Pendergrass burst through the line of scrimmage 19 yards for his first score and Wake’s first lead, 21-14 at the 8:06 mark of the third quarter.

Boyd’s second interception, fired helplessly into double coverage and the arms of Demon Deacons safety Josh Bush, kick-started a third-consecutive Deacs touchdown drive – Pendergrass easing to the endzone on a 33-yard scamper, giving Wake Forest a 28-14 edge.

Clemson needed a response, and they got one, although at the time, it seemed a Pyrrhic victory.

Boyd completed a pass to flat and star freshman receiver Sammy Watkins moved the ball 17 yards, only to go off the field holding his arm for a game-ending AC joint sprain in his shoulder. Without Boyd’s top target, the drive moved on, culminating in a controversial touchdown call on a seven-yard pass to tight end Brandon Ford, who appeared to step out of bounds on his own and back in. Replay confirmed the call on the field though.

The fourth quarter came down to defense and field goals, jump-started by a failed fourth-and-inches conversion by the Tigers at their 33 yard-line. Clemson ‘s defense buckled down, forcing a chip-shot, 33-yard field goal for a Deacs two-possession lead – which was hooked, wide-left.

It was an opportunity not wasted, as Clemson marched 80 yards on 10 plays, and Boyd connected with receiver Jaron Brown on the run to up the game, 28-28, with 5:27 remaining.

The Tiger defense locked down – forcing a second three-and-out in a row, and Clemson moved into position for a short field goal of its own and potential game-winner with 1:18 to go – hooked, wide-left by sophomore kicker Chandler Catanzaro.

But a third consecutive three-and-out was Wake Forest’s undoing, leaving 42 seconds for Clemson’s fast-paced spread offense to work with, and it was too much time.

A Boyd 16-yard completion on a back-shoulder throw to tight end Dwayne Allen, the same throw – same receiver for 17 more yards and an eight-yard screen pass to receiver Adam Humphries, setting up a 43-yard field goal attempt – which this time, was on the money as time expired.

Clemson’s ACC Championship Game opponent still hasn’t been decided, though the Coastal is down to Virginia and Virginia Tech vying for their division title. The Tigers hit the road for the next two weeks, at NC State and South Carolina.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Staff Writer