The No. 10 Clemson Tigers defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by a score of 42-14 to pick up their fifth win of the season at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers (5-1, 4-0 ACC) started on the back foot, being down after the first quarter, but outscored the Demon Deacons 42-7 for the rest of the contest to remain undefeated in the ACC.
Complimentary football has been the name of the game for the team, who have turned defense into offense countless amounts over its five-game win streak. The defense would do it once again with interceptions by Khalil Barnes and Kylon Griffin in the first half. It’s both of their first interceptions recorded this season. Both of the turnovers turned into touchdowns from the offense.
Cade Klubnik continued to play at a Heisman level despite a shaky start. The junior tossed Clemson’s opening touchdown to Antonio Williams for a 22-yard touchdown and didn’t look back. He finished with 309 yards and three touchdowns.
There was another passing touchdown but from Williams. The Tigers went for a double pass and Williams found the hands of Jake Briningstool for a 28-yard trick play score. It was the first time that a non-quarterback threw a touchdown since 2021 when Will Shipley threw a goal-line pass to Davis Allen.
Offense has been the name of the game for Clemson so far, and the team proved it again against Wake Forest. The Tigers surpassed over 500 yards of offense once again, their fourth time doing so in their six games played. The last time this occurred was in 2020 when the team surpassed the number five times.
Phil Mafah found the end zone twice, both in the second quarter. He would record 108 yards off of 19 carries as well.
Everybody ate for Clemson in Winston-Salem. Troy Stellato scored a touchdown, making a sliding grab to round out the first half, which was his first score of the season. Adam Randall scored a 9-yard touchdown from Klubnik, his roommate.
In the fourth quarter, Keith Adams Jr. scored his first touchdown of his career, barreling over defenders for a 4-yard rushing touchdown
The Tigers have now defeated the Demon Deacons 16 consecutive times. Head coach Dabo Swinney has never lost against them since he took the helm at Clemson in 2009. He also continues his streak of scoring 30 or more points when playing at Wake Forest, which is now seven games.
Up next, Clemson will head back home and face Virginia at Memorial Stadium next Saturday at noon.
