CLEMSON, S.C. -- N.C. State didn’t hold on to its favored spot in the ACC Atlantic Division for long.
In a game filled with mistakes by both teams, No. 23 N.C. State fell 14-13 to Clemson this afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Jamie Harper’s 4-yard touchdown run with 6 minutes, 18 seconds remaining gave the Tigers the lead for the first time in the game, and Clemson held on to record its seventh straight win over the Wolfpack.
On fourth-and-1 at the Clemson 43-yard line, N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien made a call that’s sure to be debated all week on the radio talk shows. O’Brien elected to punt.
Andy Leffler shanked a 4-yard punt. Clemson took over at its own 39 with 3:18 remaining. The Wolfpack did get the ball back with 2:56 remaining at its own 15, but Russell Wilson’s fourth-down pass was broken up by Coty Sensabaugh with 1:50 remaining at the N.C. State 36.
N.C. State (6-3, 3-2 ACC) had needed only to win its final four games to capture the ACC Atlantic Division title. Now the Wolfpack will need help from other teams.
Clemson (5-4, 3-3) now needs just one more win to become bowl eligible.
N.C. State delivered the only score of the first half on its first drive on a 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Mustafa Greene. The drive was kept alive by a controversial third-down pass interference penalty against Corico Hawkins.
Both teams botched numerous opportunities to score after that. Clemson’s Richard Jackson missed a 37-yard field goal attempt, and Tigers quarterback Kyle Parker threw an interception deep in N.C. State territory.
Terrell Manning returned that interception for an apparent touchdown, but the score was called back because of a block-in-the-back penalty. Clemson’s Jarvis Jenkins blocked a 30-yard Josh Czajkowski field goal attempt, and Wilson was intercepted in the end zone by DeAndre McDaniel after the Wolfpack recovered a fumble at the Clemson 7.
The Tigers had a chance to score in the final minute of the first half when they, too, had a touchdown called back because of a penalty. After the holding penalty took away the Clemson's score, J.R. Sweezy and Jeff Rieskamp sacked Kyle Parker on consecutive plays.
Clemson was unable to kick a field goal on fourth down because the clock ran out.
Entering the game, Clemson had allowed just six sacks in eight games. On the Tigers’ first offensive snap of the second half, Sweezy gave N.C. State three sacks in three snaps, causing a Parker fumble in the process.
Rieskamp recovered at the Clemson 13, and the Wolfpack added a 28-yard Czajkowski field goal for a 10-0 lead.
After N.C. State forced a punt, it was the Tigers’ turn to capitalize on a turnover. Hawkins recovered Mustafa Greene’s fumble at the N.C. State 22, and Parker passed 12 yards to Dustin Hopkins for a touchdown.
Wilson converted a third-and-12 with a 31-yard pass to Owen Spencer to set up a 27-yard Czajkowski field goal for a 13-7 N.C. State lead.
But Harper struck back for Clemson, and the Tiger defense stopped N.C. State twice in the final six minutes to win.
Comments
Hindsight
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:28 — SurferCertainly, if TOB thought he was going to get a 4 yd punt, he would have gone for it, but still a poor decision, imo, only needing 1 yd. Anything could have still happened though. That was one ugly game, for both teams.
Wow !! I can't even
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 01:35 — unc098Wow !! I can't even comment on this game. Its to painful. I would love to rub certain fans face in this but its to horrible to even indulge in that. I feel your pain Pack.
The sun is still shining on the pack
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 19:30 — gvillegatrBc of the Univ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Go Heels
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 20:59 — JPDOhioLet's hope you never hear that from me again.
But, thanks Tar Heels, we needed that.
Now you see why I was happy
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 22:58 — mad_maxNow you see why I was happy that Clemson lost last weekend? :) We still control our own destiny.
Ugh!!!
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 18:01 — JPDOhioI saw the first touchdown drive in a restaurant at the airport. Thought, ok, good start. Next time I had a chance to check, it was 10-0. So far, so good. Then it goes downhill every time I checked, and by the time I got to my hotel, it's over. Now, reading the articles, I am glad I didn't see it. One of those games a team on the rise can't give away.
I do think TOB made a mistake not going for it late on 4th down. Your losing away and your team is struggling offensively. The quick strike has not been much of the offense this year and your defense has been giving up yards by the bundle late in games. You have a playmaker at QB who has risen to the occasion more often than not, when you need one play. No brainer. Go for it.
No doubt about it
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 21:53 — Heels20TOB made a major mistake by not going for it on 4th and 1. Fortunately his team will live to see another day and have a shot at the championship.
My future advice (for all it's worth): TELL WILSON TO FORGET ABOUT THE NFL! Command him to do whatever it takes to win the game. Ugly or not, it's what to bring a 2-6 team to 6-6 in '08. He is still the best QB in the conference. Let him win you football games.
Absolutely, positively
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:49 — JPDOhioThis team will go as far as Russell takes it and we have become spoiled by his success. However, he does seem to be taking more risks this year, which I attribute to his desire to play both pro baseball and football. He has stated that desire in press conferences several times.
A word of advice to Russell. I understand that you are used to achieving the goals you set for yourself. And I commend you for it. But, realistically, playing in the NFL and in MLB is not realistic. Accept that. Play within yourself for the rest of the year and you will be hugely successful. Then you can decide on your best future.
Go Pack!
Mr Wilson
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:22 — YAR8packCall me Ishmael, but I really don't think the bad decisions from Wilson are a result of him trying to impress NFL scouts. I really think some of the pressures of being a touted QB in the ACC (for whatever that's worth) and life pressures (we all know about his recent trials off-the-field) have been wearing on the guy. His on-the-field judgements seem clouded and forceful. I don't know...there's just something different about his play this year as compared to the 2008 and '09 seasons.
Whatever the case may be, here's to hoping Russell gets his mind "right" soon.
Also, I've got a weird feeling about the Wake game on Saturday. Grobe always has the Deacs play the Pack really tough. TOB and Co. better be ready.
Thats 'right' I forgot your
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 23:22 — unc098Thats 'right' I forgot your a Cool Hand Luke fan.
wIERD FEELING
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 14:16 — JPDOhioI share your misgivings. Anyone who has followed the Pack in recent years has them.
Regarding RW, I am in the "impress the NFL scouts" camp, but we will never know for sure. I just know that he seems to be taking more risks this year and it has hurt the Pack. On the other hand, I think we have been spoiled by his success and forget what it was like pre-RW. Russell making bad decisions is better than most QB's on their best day. We need to keep that in mind too.
playing the game
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 13:06 — SurferThat's why the play them, but no way Wake wins this one unless the pack is totally flat, un-attentive, and has numerous turnovers. Which, I guess is why they might look past Wake, but realistically Wake does not seem to have the tools to pull it off offensively.
Its true that Russell is the
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 13:00 — unc098Its true that Russell is the engine that makes this team run. I listened to the first half on the radio and was astonished how sloppy the game was. As I said in an earlier post this week; The pack has to come ready to play and play mistake free ball. I am surprised that this team didn't really show up to play its best. RW has to 'get his mind right' if NCSU is to reach its goals this season. I have to say I thought the punt with the game on the line was a bad call. Sometimes you gotta suc it up and go for it. Hate to say it but RW is starting to remind me of TJ last year with all those interceptions in the red zone. The Pack will bounce back.
SMOKE
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 15:39 — YAR8packThat cloud of smoke coming from South Carolina is what was NCSU's chances at a trip to the ACCCG. *bleep, bleep, bleepity, bleeeeeeeeeeeep*
Well, that awful game by the Pack was certainly a swift kick to the man-region. Ugh. Why do blocked FG's ALWAYS comeback to haunt the team? ALWAYS! *bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
Wow
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 15:17 — gvillegatrThis game is a gut wrenched fr ncsu. Zero excuses for not winnin this game. The refs and Kyle Parker did all they could to gift wrap this game.
You're blind with those
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 22:57 — mad_maxYou're blind with those anti-State shades on. Keep dreaming dude. The refs made bad calls for both teams, despite what you want to think. I've got the game on DVR...do you really want to go play for play? Because I will.
State was in this game because they have some good talent.
State lost this game because they played sloppy and had questionable play-calling at times.
Whatever
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 23:22 — gvillegatrI'm not conceding or retreating, but it's just too late to get in to this. You guys were given soooo many oppurtunities to win today it was ridiculous.
BOL next week, Max.
Wilson
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 14:45 — Heels20needs to stop trying to impress pro scouts and just do his thing. It was ugly against FSU, but he got it done. He needs to do the same right now. His team has his back, and now he's got to decide whether he really wants a win, or if he wants some looks from the NFL.
Seriously
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 17:53 — JPDOhioI didn't see this game, but I feel like I've seen it before. Russell making bonehead decisions that cost State a score. Interceptions on passes from inside the 10 are inexcusable.
I do feel that he is trying to make a case that he is a "playmaker" who can make things happen as a QB in the NFL. If so, he is sadly mistaken. Decision making is what makes a great NFL QB. If he would be smart and make the good decisions he has consistently made before this year, he might have a shot. He can't do anything about his size, but he is not going to gain any points with NFL scouts by throwing into coverage and taking points off the board.
Very disappointing.
Referee's
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 14:41 — gvillegatrMax, I feel like I got duped bc I didn't get my tickets and parking pass to today's game at Carter-Finley! Seriously.
State has nothing to complain about except maybe RW on a good amt of your drives.
Who's complaining about
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 22:53 — mad_maxWho's complaining about referees? Seriously.
LMAO @ Clemson fans. One
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 13:52 — mad_maxLMAO @ Clemson fans. One questionable call goes against them, and they boo for the rest of the half! Get over it. The refs have certainly been awful in this game, but at least it's been consistently awful. Both teams have legitimate gripes with the refs at this point, but if Clemson fans want to boo so bad, they should boo Dabo for benching Parker.
State really needs to get it together on offense. Terrible no-call by the refs on the previous play, but Wilson should have NEVER thrown that interception...dude had 3 or 4 defenders all over him! Worried about the second half...State really needs this win, regardless of what happens in Talahassee. Maryland is beating Miami at the half.
How did we not down that
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 14:07 — mad_maxHow did we not down that punt on the 1?!?! My mother could have made that play!