C.J. Spiller became the first player in Clemson history to throw, run and catch a touchdown in the same game Saturday as the Tigers stayed on course for the ACC championship game with a 43-23 defeat of N.C. State at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Spiller threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Xavier Dye in the second quarter on a halfback option. In the third quarter, Spiller got loose around the left end for a 16-yard touchdown run.
N.C. State's defense inexplicably lost track of Spiller in the fourth quarter as he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Parker. The Wolfpack (4-6, 1-5 ACC) had a miserable day offensively against a stout Clemson defense.
Dropped passes were one of N.C. State's biggest problems. Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams both dropped a pair of passes, and Koyal George had a pass go through his hands in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson threw touchdown passes of 18 yards to George - who began the season as a starting cornerback - and 8 yards to Williams. Backup quarterback Mike Glennon added a 2-yard scoring pass to Williams with three seconds remaining.
Clemson (7-3, 5-2) won its fifth straight game and can clinch a trip to the ACC championship game with a defeat of Virginia on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Earlier. . .
It's getting ugly at Carter-Finley.
Jamie Harper, Clemson's third-team running back, raced untouched by an N.C. State defender for 69 yards and a touchdown with 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers lead 43-17.
Earlier. . .
In the film room on Sunday, N.C. State's defensive backs certainly will be asked how on earth they left the ACC's best player so wide open.
No defender was within 10 yards of C.J. Spiller as Kyle Parker threw him a 34-yard pass for a touchdown with 10:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. After Clemson's second missed extra point of the game, the Tigers lead 36-17.
Earlier. . .
Josh Czajkowski's 26-yard field goal for N.C. State has cut Clemson's lead to 30-17 with 13:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
A 26-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Toney Baker put the Wolfpack in position for the field goal.
Earlier. . .
After three quarters, N.C. State trails Clemson 30-14 but is deep in Tiger territory.
The Wolfpack will open the fourth quarter with a first-and-10 at the Clemson 11-yard line after a 26-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Toney Baker converted a third-and-9.
Earlier. . .
After an N.C. State replay challenge proved fruitless on what could have been a fumble by Clemson's C.J. Spiller, the Tigers struck for another touchdown.
Two plays afterward, Spiller ran 16 yards for a score to stretch the Tigers' lead to 30-14 with 7:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Earlier. . .
N.C. State is making it interesting.
The Wolfpack took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards for their second touchdown of the game.
Russell Wilson's 8-yard scoring pass to Jarvis Williams with 11:08 remaining in the third quarter cut the deficit to 24-14.
Earlier. . .
Clemson's defense - and three dropped passes by N.C. State's receivers - bottled up the high-scoring Wolfpack in the first half Saturday.
N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson is just 4-for-14 for 49 yards passing, and the Wolfpack has been held to 114 yards of total offense. Clemson leads 24-7 at halftime.
Earlier. . .
A big third-down conversion led to another Clemson touchdown.
On third-and-11, Jacoby Ford split the safeties for a 47-yard reception from Kyle Parker. Three plays later, Parker hit tight end Michael Palmer for 5 yards and a score.
The Tigers lead 24-7 with 4:09 remaining in the second quarter.
Earlier. . .
Finally, N.C. State is on the board.
Wideout Koyal George, who began the season as a starting cornerback, caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to cut Clemson's lead to 17-7 with 6:42 remaining in the second quarter.
A late hit flag on Brandon Maye after a third-down sack of Wilson kept the drive alive.
Earlier. . .
Clemson resorted to some trickery as it's rapidly pulling away from N.C. State in a pathetic showing by the Wolfpack.
C.J. Spiller threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Dye on a halfback option, increasing the Tigers' lead to 17-0 with 12:48 left in the second quarter.
Earlier. . .
N.C. State just had a 6-yard punt - after a sack of Russell Wilson.
The Wolfpack is falling apart.
First and 10 Clemson on the N.C. State 17.
Earlier. . .
N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien said the Wolfpack players would have difficulty tackling C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford one on one.
In the case of Clemson's first scoring play, N.C. State couldn't get it done one on none. Nobody laid a hand on Ford as he ran 17 yards on an end around to extend the Tigers' lead to 10-0 on the second play of the second quarter.
Earlier. . .
C.J. Spiller and Clemson are out to a fast start at Carter-Finley.
Spiller has 55 rushing yards at the end of the first quarter. Clemson has a 3-0 lead and is in position for another score, with a second-and-1 at N.C. State's 19-yard line.
Earlier. . .
The interception was about as good as a punt, but it goes down as an interception nonetheless.
Clemson's Byron Maxwell picked off Russell Wilson on a deep throw on third-and-19. The Tigers take possession at their 25-yard line leading 3-0 with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Earlier. . .
Thanks in part to running back C.J. Spiller, Clemson is on the board first at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Spiller broke at least two tackles on a 30-yard run that set up a 28-yard field goal by Spencer Benton with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead over the Wolfpack.
On the second straight possession, defensive end Michael Lemon made a big play for N.C. State, a pass deflection on third down that forced the field goal attempt.
Earlier. . .
The defenses held firm on the first two possessions at Carter-Finley.
N.C. State stopped Clemon on the opening possession with the help of a tackle of C.J. Spiller for a 2-yard loss by defensive end Michael Lemon, who's been elevated to the starting lineup.
Clemson's Chris Chancellor might have gotten away with a pass interference penalty on third down, forcing a Wolfpack punt.
Clemson has won the toss and will receive the opening kickoff against N.C. State at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Stay tuned here for live updates throughout the game.
Comments
nika
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 15:08 — nikahttp://blogs.newsobserver.com
nika
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 15:07 — nikahttp://blogs.newsobserver.com
Hi, thanks for your information
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 14:55 — mesajverweb design Web Design is a website that offers information about.
web design about web design and web yazaılımı enterprise solutions.
web design years of experience to their customers hizmetsunmaktadır and experienced kadorosu.
google ads google adwords advertising and is offering Turkey office.
ed hardy kids
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 04:24 — asaayoui123Why can't Don just live? It's not his work ed hardy kids ed hardy kids as a typeset maker, painter and astound-inspired deisigns have been appropriated by ed hardy caps ed hardy caps for roughy ed hardy bags or shill for the book at Amazon for clothing and become the de facto douchebag outfit. no, ed hardy purses a performer, and he's got a new book hitting food on ed hardy sunglasses to giggle at its finest. Still, some ED Hardy Swim Trunks are so burned into your intellect that his tattoo and illustrator.The book aims to afford credibility to the idea of Hardy as an unsmiling musician as exhibited through his work in a museum-class clamshell box and Ed Hardy Mens T-Shirt edition lithographic prints. 3k for a book?Written by tattoo historian Alan Govenar, Beyond Skin" attempts to shed light on other mediums. Douchebaggery at the sheer daring of Hardy's career, like his oversight that it's impossible not to show it.
run the ball more often!!
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 17:53 — gvillegatrwhy dont any of the state fans call for more running out of this team??? why not try to keep the defense off the field instead of ALWAYS on it???? state can run the football with Baker, yet he can easily be forgotten in this offense b/c of the QB which, by the way, has come back down to earth in more games than not this year.
it just makes since to run, run, run and keep the clock running. at least this way your defense shouldnt be winded ...
I don't think we got away
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 22:59 — mad_maxI don't think we got away from the run in this game. We had a heavy dose of Baker and Eugene in this game, but keep in mind that once you get down big, it doesn't make much sense to run the ball all the time and drain the clock.
well
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:21 — gvillegatryou had an entire half of football (the 1st half) to run it on almost every possession and you did not. I don't know what the ratio was, but it should have about 85 - 15. i know for fact it wasn't that.
I'm surprised nobody is
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 14:52 — mad_maxI'm surprised nobody is talking about the referee blunder in this game, though it's become the norm that there will be at least one in every game I guess. With the score 24-14 Clemson, it appeared that State forced a fumble and recovered it. The refs (including the one close by) didn't seem to be paying attention enough to see it. Clemson, knowing they just fumbled, hurried back to the line and ran a play...all while TOB is frantically calling for a timeout to the ref standing no more than 20 feet away from him. Clemson snaps the ball, runs a play, and State actually took a blatant late hit at the end of the play out of bounds with no flag. The refs huddled together for several moments, then claimed that the play was a no-play and that State has taken a timeout. Then a few moments later, they announce that TOB is challenging that the ball was fumbled. After a very long review, where you could very clearly see the ball come out before the runner's knee was down, the ref declares that the ruling on the field stands. Clemson scores a TD on the very next play, the nail in the coffin perhaps.
Now, there are so many different things wrong with this scenario. First, the refs were too blind to even see the fumble. Second, one of the refs just refused to give TOB a timeout...the fact that they went back and awarded him the timeout raises a lot of questions. Why is it that another ref knew TOB was trying to call timeout, while the ref on the sideline was ignoring him (it almost looked like it was on purpose) yet neither one blew a whistle when the timeout was actually being called. Third, after the next play had been run, the refs refused to throw a flag for State's late hit, probably because they knew they just screwed up. Fourth, the refs decided to go back and award TOB a timeout allowing a review, even though the ball had been snapped and a play had been run! Lastly, the officials ultimately blew the call. Clemson obviously fumbled that football. Perhaps they did not overturn it because they knew they broke procedure...but if that's the case, then why waste everyone's time? ACC officials, you've done it again. Just when I think you can't be any more incompetent, you top yourselves once again.
Also, is there a rule change with the clock? I was under the impression that running out of bounds with the football still stopped the clock? But I saw in this game, and in several others yesterday (including the UNC game) that they continued to run the clock after players had run out of bounds, and i mean run, not tackled. I just don't get it...are we realy having that many errors operating the clock?
The only thing worse than Steven252525's attitude, is the performance of the ACC's officials week after week.
Call me crazy
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 14:48 — mad_maxBut overall, I wasn't disappointed with State's players today. The main reason this game was out of hand, was the coaches' decision to refuse kicking the ball down the field. Even if Spiller did return a kick or two for a TD, is that really worse than giving them the ball in our territory over and over? Poor gameplan by State. The other reason State lost was dropped passes by their receivers in the first half. Those two things basically gift-wrapped a 17-0 lead for the Tigers that State could never overcome.
State's defense IMHO showed up and played their hearts out. Sure there were some breakdowns late in the game, especially the Spiller TD catch, but when the game was still in reach, the defense bowed up their backs on several occasions. Good effort by them.
crazy
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 17:49 — gvillegatryou are talking out of both sides oof your mouth.
you can't condemn a fellow fan that the coaching staff knows exactly what they are doing and then turn around and say the coaching staff came up with a bad gameplan against Clemson. furthermore, we hear alot each week about the bad game plans. which is it??
you weren't disappointed in the state players yet you talk about them dropping passes in the first half. this team has been dropping passes all season long. how bout the half back pass from Spiller. this was not the first time hes done this. Heck, I called it from the opposite side of the stadium when the ball was given to him.
i'm not trying to be an arse, but you talk out both sides of your mouth about state football most of the time. I know you want to be positive and reverant to the program, but we all know it is a show. the team is terrible. you can't possibly feel this way.
I guess it's talking out of
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 23:02 — mad_maxI guess it's talking out of both sides of my mouth to say that we should not get rid of a coach, but then to also say that he had a questionable gameplan coming into this one game. Sorry gatr, but unlike you and your buddies, I'm not ready to fire a coach after one gameplan that I disagree with. Are you guys still calling for John Shoop's head? Okay then. When have I EVER said anything about State having a bad gameplan this year? Also, I told Steven that TOB is the guy for us...never did I say he was always going to be perfect. I think you're making a stretch here, but I'm sure you know that too.
Also, with the players, I was mainly talking about being proud of the defense. Yes, the receivers let us down early on with all the dropped passes, but they did also come back and make some really nice catches later in the game. All I was saying is that I'm proud of the way our guys came out and played overall. If that makes me two-sided, then oh well. You see, I understand that there is a middle road....seems like you and other UNC fans on here can only see all or nothing. Either you're going to win every single game, or you're going to lose every single game. I knew this would be a tough game for the Pack and they were gonna need a break in addition to playing a perfect game. They didn't play perfect, and they didn't get any breaks, but I'm still proud of the way they played considering what we've seen in previous weeks.
Maybe it just bugs you that I can be optimistic, even in a dark time like this. I stick up for my team when need be through thick and thin, and I'm patient enough to see the big picture. TOB is our guy, and he will continue to be our guy. It's like you people have forgotten what it was like before Amato left.
all i will say is
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:19 — gvillegatrit is easier to take your medicine when you know your team can't win as opposed to the opposite.
You are crazy...
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 15:08 — JPDOhioAnd apparently I am too.
There are times when you apply the stick and times when you pull someone up who is down. I hope TOB knows the difference. His young players need encouragement more than another beat down at this moment.
More support from State fans would be welcome as well. Abandoning this program now is a mistake.
We are clearly getting
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:36 — Steven252525We are clearly getting worse, I am ready to move on, with a better, younger coach with one ounce of emotion. TOB really does not care and it is easy to see.
Steven
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 14:25 — mad_maxYou are being ridiculous. I don't even consider you a State fan after reading your comments (if you were even really a State fan to begin with).
You think TOB doesn't care?!? Where do you even get that from? This man has put everything he has into building this program, despite critics like you that will always be there no matter who the coach is. It will take time, but TOB definitely has this program going in the right direction. Do you even remember Amato's last few years? At least now we know we can actually score a touchdown, and have some success against our hated rivals in Chapel Hill. Let the pieces fall into place and the depth to develop.
Listen to TOB's post-game press conference...
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 12:01 — JPDOhioAnd tell me again that he doesn't care.
obviously
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:57 — gvillegatrI AM NOT not a pack fan, but I agree. TOB needs to get pushed out. he IS NOT the answer. the military thing can only last but so long.
Bad idea
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 12:02 — JPDOhioAlthough you are right about the military thing.
i don't know about that...
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 18:13 — chrismg1everytime they show TOB on the sidelines he looks like he's about to vomit.
Glennon
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:27 — JPDOhioI would have brought him in the previous series. Not that he would have pulled anything out, but it was a good time to get him some reps.
Not sure why coaches refuse to do this when a game is clearly lost.
The Pack needs to recruit
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:04 — GoHeels1984The Pack needs to recruit some defenders....
Help is already on the way...
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:22 — JPDOhioBut the roster now has some talented guys. They are getting better, although it is tough to notice in these blowouts.
Proud of the Pack
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 15:46 — JPDOhioStart of the 4th Quarter and the Pack is threatening. They could have packed it in early, but they are still fighting hard. Too bad about the bad call on the Spiller fumble before Clemson's last score, but that stuff just happens. State has made too many mistakes (dropped passes, bad punts, dumb penalties). They had to play error free to have a chance.
They won't pull this one out, but I like the way they continue to battle. The defense is getting better too. Clemson's 30 points (so far) have been helped by really good field position. Good effort by the Pack.
positive reinforcement??
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 22:54 — gvillegatrthe team is not good. they are not fighting. the defense is atrocious and the offense is above avg. if they were fighting they would be more competitve. also, there is no one at the games.
Positive reinforcement vs. living in fantasyland
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 12:26 — JPDOhioIf this team was loaded with seniors and juniors, I might agree. But it is not. The majority of the defense consists of sophomores and freshmen. There is talent there, but it is inexperienced. That inexperience has been exploited by veteran QB's and, yesterday, a team on a roll. The combination of Spiller, Ford and a hot Kyle Parker was too much for these young guys to handle.
I think the offense has been pressing all year to make up for the deficiencies on defense. The dropped passes in the first half were replaced by some outstanding catches in the second half. What was the difference? The game was out of reach and the pressure was off. I am a firm believer in TOB's culture of discipline. But, for the last two games, I think he should tell his players to just relax and play the game. There is nothing to play for except pride, the seniors and the Tar Heels. So they should clear their heads, play smart and clean and have some fun.
Despite the disappointing year, TOB has not become a bad coach overnight. Replacing him now would be a mistake. There is good young talent on this team. There is a good recruiting class coming in. If RW leaves after this year, there is a promising replacement waiting in the wings. We should have Nate back next year and may have Toney Baker as well.
Many of us have watched young teams get pasted, and then turn into championship teams when those players become juniors and seniors. Will that happen here? Nobody knows for sure. But, IMHO, the likelihood of success is better with this coach and staff running the program than it would be starting over with someone new.
I don't think Cutcliffe is
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 15:20 — GoHeels1984I don't think Cutcliffe is really that better. He got humbled very soundly by an above average UNC team last week and is getting crushed by GT right now. Dook lost to 1AA Richmond, beat NCCU, was crushed by Kansas, did beat lowly Army, and were handled by VT. The only big Dooks wins were to the worst teams in the ACC this year, UVa, Maryland, and NCSU. If you really look at it, Cutcliffe really isn't doing much. Look for Dook to lose their last 2 games to Miami and Wake too.
Regarding Clemson, who knows yet about their coach. They were left with many good players and athletes from the T Bowden era. Wait til next year Packers?
Dabo
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:25 — JPDOhioHad more to work with.
Some of the players left by Chuck were talented, but had attitudes that took a couple of years to adjust (if at all).
As a State fan I am over the
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 14:33 — Steven252525As a State fan I am over the TOB era. He says the pieces are not there yet did Cutcliff have all the pieces, he is in year 2. Dabo is in year one, what excuses is he using.
Cutcliffe
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 16:23 — JPDOhiothose pieces crumbled today.