NC State came into this game determined to not let the running game of Clemson beat them. They wanted to make Trevor Lawrence beat them with his arm, and the true freshman gladly obliged. By the end of the 2nd quarter he had already thrown for 244 yards, picking apart the NC State defense with laser like precision, while helping guide the Tigers to a 24-0 lead. It was a perfect of example of taking what the defense is giving you.
The Clemson defense was once again dominant, holding NC State’s offense to just 101 total first half yards.