Well, it can’t get any worse, can it? The Tigers followed up the bye week saying all of the right things, only to lose in double overtime to an under-manned Miami Hurricanes team down in Miami.
Clemson looks to right the wrongs in a match-up with NC State this weekend in Raleigh.
Here is a look at everything you will need to know about the Tiger’s Week 9 Opponent:
North Carolina State Wolfpack
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Time: 2 PM on CW
2023 Record – 4-3; 1-2 in the ACC Last Game: Loss vs. Duke (10/14) 24-3
4 Wins against: Virginia, Marshall, VMI, UConn
3 Losses against: Duke, Notre Dame, Louisville
Head Coach: Dave Doeren – 11th Season – 103-63 overall
Coach Doeren has quickly become a coach that Clemson fans love to hate. Seemingly always complaining about something, i.e. the laptop on the sideline, towel gate, etc. Doeren has a tough exterior and his teams take on his identity and always seem to play hard for him. Never really able to get over the top in the ACC, he has been a solid middle-tier head coach in the conference for a decade plus.
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Robert Anae – 1st year as OC; (Previous: Syracuse)
Coach Anae comes to Raleigh after a quick stint in Syracuse following a longer stint at Virginia. Anae has always had a decent quarterback to run his offense. An offense predicated on running the football and the use of a ton of screens as well. He had (current NC State Backup QB) Brennan Armstrong at UVA in which he produced video-game numbers there. He was also responsible for the success of former Syracuse running back Sean Tucker. Anae is very creative and has some tricks up his sleeves at times as well. Expect QB involvement in the run game as well.
NC State is averaging 25.4 points per game (85th nationally) with 143.3 yards per game rushing (79th nationally) and 204.1 through the air (95th nationally) for an average of 347.4 yards of offense through 8 weeks, good enough for 97th nationally in total offense.
Here is a look at the projected starters for the NC State Wolfpack as well as their 2023 statistics:
| Quarterback | MJ Morris | Sophomore | #7 | 20 att. 82 yds. | 41-72; 458 yds, 4 TDs, 4 ints. |
| Running Back | Michael Allen | Sophomore | #2 | 23 att. 230 yds, TD | 9 catches, 43 yds |
| Running Back | Delbert Mimms III | RS Junior | #34 | 51 att. 171 yds, 6 TDs | 2 catches |
| Running Back | Kendrick Raphael | Freshman | #20 | 23 att. 116 yds. | 4 catches, 23 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Terrell Timmons Jr. | Sophomore | #82 | 9 catches, 172 yds. | |
| Wide Receiver | KC Concepcion | Freshman | #10 | 5 att. 39 yds. | 37 catches, 410 yds, 4 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Keyon Lesane | Senior | #15 | 3 att. 20 yds | 15 catches, 108 yds. |
| Tight End | Trent Pennix | Graduate | #6 | 1 att. 7 yds. | 11 catches, 136 yds, 2 TDs |
| Left Tackle | Anthony Belton | RS Junior | #74 | ||
| Left Guard | Lyndon Cooper | RS Sophomore | #56 | ||
| Center | Dylan McMahon | Graduate | #54 | ||
| Right Guard | Derrick Eason | Graduate | #53 | ||
| Right Tackle | Timothy McKay | Graduate | #52 |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Tony Gibson – 4th Year – (Previous: West Virginia DC)
Coach Gibson enters his fourth season in Raleigh and runs a defense a lot like Clemson fans saw against Wake Forest a few weeks ago. A big fan of the 3-3-5 defense with a Cloud Scheme where they will refuse to be beaten over the top and force the Tigers to run the football. Gibson was quoted in the preseason that this is the best defensive front he’s had at NC State in terms of depth. Pair that with the bend don’t break defense and that’s a tough recipe for Clemson to face this weekend.
The NC State defense has given up an average of 23.6 points through their first six games (55th nationally). They have given up 110.9 yards per game on the ground (26th nationally) and 222 yards through the air (62nd nationally). Opponents are averaging a total of 332.9 yards per game (33rd nationally).
The Wolfpack are +1 in turnover margin through six games (T-53rd nationally), having thrown 10 interceptions and also picking off 8 balls, as well as having caused 4 fumbles and have lost 1 fumbles in the seven games so far.
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Wolfpack on defense along with some stats from the season:
| Defensive End | Davin Vann | Junior | #1 | 23 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks |
| Nose Tackle | CJ Clark | RS Junior | #5 | 14 tackles, 2 TFLs |
| Defensive End | Savion Jackson | Senior | #9 | 20 tackles, 3 TFLs, 0.5 sack |
| Linebacker | Jaylon Scott | Senior | #2 | 36 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack |
| Linebacker | Devon Betty | Junior | #26 | 17 tackles, TFL |
| Linebacker | Peyton Wilson | Graduate | #11 | 81 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, int. |
| Nickelback | Robert Kennedy (Lackawanna College) | Graduate Transfer | #8 | 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 ints. |
| Cornerback | Shyheim Battle | RS Junior | #7 | 23 tackles, TFL, 2 ints. |
| Strong Safety | Devan Boykin | Junior | #12 | 27 tackles, 2 TFLs |
| Free Safety | Sean Brown | RS Sophomore | #0 | 35 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, int. |
| Cornerback | Aydan White | Junior | #3 | 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sack, int |
Special Teams
Here is a list of the specialists for the Wolfpack along with statistics from the season so far:
| Kicker | Brayden Narveson (Iowa State) | Graduate Transfer | #44 | 8-10 long of 57 yds. |
| Punter | Caden Noonkester | RS Sophomore | #98 | 40 att. 42.6 yd avg. long of 67 yds |
| Punt Returner | Jalen Coit | RS Sophomore | #21 | 11 att. 13.7 avg. long of 33 yds |
| Kick Returner | Julian Gray | RS Sophomre | #8 | 14 att. 28.6 avg. TD, long of 82 yds |
Summary
NC State is not as great as they have been in years past. They started out playing the UVA transfer Brennan Armstrong at quarterback and it was an utter disaster. They have replaced him with backup MJ Morris, who has some experience under his belt from a season ago.
The defense is still feisty and the leader Peyton Wilson is still patrolling the weak side at the linebacking position. He’s a load to block and flies to the ball. The Pack is a paltry 4-3 on the season includine 1-2 in the ACC, but their losses this season have come to what we believe to be good teams, Notre Dame, Louisville and Duke.
Coach Doeren always has his teams ready to play Clemson, and this weekend will likely be no different. Clemson needs to get something going offensively to right the season. Here’s to hoping that starts this weekend in Raleigh.
