Clemson Tigers vs Wofford Terriers Football Recap

Clemson 35, Wofford 27

The Wofford Terriers matched the Clemson Tigers step-for-step Saturday, but given ample opportunities in the fourth quarter – the Terriers could not steal a victory in Death Valley, losing 35-27.

From the get-go, Wofford (1-1) came to win. Taking their opening drive five-plays and 51 yards, the Terriers jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

Clemson (2-0) answered back with a 42-yard strike from quarterback Tajh Boyd to freshman wide receiver Martavis Bryant, but indicative as the day as a whole for the Tigers, a bad snap foiled the tie – keeping Wofford on top 7-6.

Two plays later, a 66-yard play-action pass from Wofford quarterback Mitch Allen to a wide-open wide receiver Brenton Bersin gave the Terriers a 14-6 lead.

But pendulum would swing right back with Clemson running back Andre Ellington taking the first play of the Tigers’ next drive 74-yards to draw Clemson back within a point, 14-13.

Trading punts, Clemson got a shot at taking their first lead with a 43-yard field goal from kicker Chandler Catanzaro – it would go wide-right, and Wofford took their next drive 12 plays for 74 yards in nearly-six minutes to take a 21-13 lead with 4:01 to go in the second half.

Clemson Memorial Stadium was stunned. This lower subdivision team wasn’t going away.

In a crucial drive, the Boyd to freshman wide receiver connection continued – this time to Sammy Watkins for a 38-yard touchdown, and after finding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the back of the endzone on the two-point conversion, the Tigers and Terriers were tied at 21 into the half.

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

Starting the third quarter, Wofford continued to send the clear message that they weren’t going away.

On only his third passing attempt of the day, Wofford’s Allen connected with wide receiver Bersin for a 66-yard throw-and-catch to put the Terriers deep in Tigers’ territory again. Wofford hit a chip-shot field goal to go back on top 24-21 with 11:46 to go in the third quarter.

A drive later, Clemson fans finally got what they took for granted pregame going into a contest against an FCS team – the lead. Boyd scrambled up the middle on third and goal from the 5-yard line to take a 28-24 advantage, which the Tigers wouldn’t relinquish.

It wouldn’t be easy though.

Another long Wofford drive helped the Terriers notch 38-yard field goal to draw within a point, 28-27.

But in a game full of answers (and questions) for Clemson offensively, the Tigers jumped out to their largest lead of the day on a 17-yard touchdown from Boyd to Hopkins, going up 35-27.

Then, it was hold on time for Clemson. On three fourth-quarter possessions, down a possession, Wofford threw an interception, punted on the Tigers’ side of the field and turned it over on downs in their own territory to end the upset bid.

Boyd finished 18-for-29 with 261 passing yards and three touchdowns on the day. Ellington, in his second game back from missing the final four games of 2010 and the spring due to a toe injury, carried the ball 22 times for 165 yards and a touchdown – a 7.5 yards per carry average.

Clemson hosts Auburn (2-0) next week for a noon Eastern rematch in Clemson Memorial Stadium of the 27-24 Auburn overtime-thriller win last season.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Staff Writer