CLEMSON, S.C. — NC State fell to 2-2 after getting blitzed in the first half in a 59-35 loss at Clemson on Saturday.
Clemson junior quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns and he rushed for a 55-yard score in playing a little over half the game. Clemson held a commanding 45-7 lead at halftime thanks to four scores in the first quarter.
The Tigers improved to 2-1 on the season.
Final statistics:
Thomas to Anderson for last score (3:34 p.m.)
Redshirt freshman quarterback Lex Thomas found freshman wide receiver Terrell Anderson for a 40-yard touchdown with five seconds left, cutting Clemson's lead to 59-35.
Demarcus Jones reaches end zone (3:14 p.m.)
NC State senior running back Demarcus Jones ran for a six-yard touchdown run to cut Clemson's lead to 59-28 with 8:21 left in the game.
Daylan Smothers gets touchdown (3:00 p.m.)
Redshirt freshman running back Daylan Smothers runs 21 yards to help set up his two-yard touchdown run. Clemson leads 59-21 with 12:07 left in the fourth quarter.
Statistics through three quarters (2:53 p.m.)
Clemson gets pick-six (2:50 p.m.)
NC State freshman quarterback Cedrick Bailey gift-wraps an interception to CU freshman cornerback Ashton Hampton, who goes 53 yards for the touchdown. Clemson leads 59-14 with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.
NC State gets second touchdown (2:30 p.m.)
NC State sophomore running back Kendrick Raphael rushes for a six-yard touchdown run, and Clemson's lead is cut to 52-14 with 6:38 left in the second quarter. NC State's drive was aided by three Clemson pass interference penalties.
Clemson first to score in second half (2:20 p.m.)
Quick out pass by junior quarter Cade Klubnik hits junior wide receiver Adam Randall for a five-yard touchdown. Clemson leads 52-7 with 9:07 left in the third quarter.
Halftime statistics (1:48 p.m.)
Tigers tack on field goal (1:48 p.m.)
Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser made a 20-yard field as time expired in the first half, giving the Tigers a 45-7 lead at halftime.
Clemson keeps scoring (1:33 p.m.)
Delayed handoff and freshman running back Jay Haynes goes untouched for a 19-yard touchdown run, and Clemson leads 42-7 with 1:15 left in the second quarter.
Clemson stretches lead to 28 points (1:18 p.m.)
Sophomore wide receiver Cole Turner gets an end around for 18 yards and Clemson leads 35-7 with 5:53 left in the second quarter. The score was set up with a 40-yard pass to freshman wide receiver T.J. Moore.
NC State gets on the board (1:07 p.m.)
NC State freshman quarterback Cedrick Bailey finds a wide-open Jordan Waters and the senior running back gets a five-yard touchdown, the first passing touchdown of Bailey's career. Clemson leads 28-7 with 7:25 left in the second quarter.
Statistics after the first quarter (12:48 p.m.)
Another fumble leads to CU score (12:44 p.m.)
NC State sophomore wide receiver Kevin Concepcion got stripped by Clemson sophomore cornerback Avieon Terrell, and the Tigers' scored on the next play. Senior running back Phil Mafah sprinted in from 38 yards out to give Clemson a 28-0 with 2:08 left in the first quarter.
Forced fumble leads to score (12:34 p.m.)
NC State sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker got a sack and forced fumble against NC State freshman quarterback Cedrick Bailey at the NCSU 19-yard line. Clemson eventually threw a two-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Antonio Williams to extend its lead to 21-0 with 5:07 left in the first quarter.
Clemson starting to surge (12:27 p.m.)
Clemson junior quarterback Cade Klubnik throws a 31-yard touchdown pass to sophomore slot receiver Antonio Williams in the end zone. Clemson takes an early 14-0 lead with 7:56 left in the first quarter.
Clemson strikes first (12:11 p.m.)
Clemson junior quarterback Cade Klubnik keeps it on the read option and races 55 yards for the touchdown, and the Tigers lead 7-0 with 13:29.
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