By Will Vandervort
Here is an inside look at the Clemson-NC State series as the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers host NC State at Memorial Stadium in Clemson. The game will be televised by ABC/ESPN at 3:32 p.m.
About the Wolfpack: For the fourth time in six years under Tom O’Brien, and for the third straight year, NC State will be heading to a bowl game. The Wolfpack became the fourth team in the ACC this season to become bowl eligible with their victory over Wake Forest last week.
The Wolfpack offense: Quarterback Mike Glennon ranks second to Clemson’s Tajh Boyd in TD passes (22) and yards (2,910), and is fourth in the ACC in total offense. Quintin Payton leads the Wolfpack with 42 catches for 669 yards. Tobais Palmer has 23 catches for 333 yards. Running back Tony Creecy has started eight games and ranks second on the team with 434 rushing yards.
The Wolfpack defense: NC State ranks third nationally in third-down conversion defense. Opponents are 38-150 (25.3 percent). The Wolfpack rank 10th nationally in sack with 30, have recorded 18 in the last five games. NC State has given up 97 points in the first quarter and just 126 in the other three quarters combined. State is 11-2 when cornerback David Amerson records an interception.
The Wolfpack Special Teams: Palmer had a 100-yard kickoff return in the Wolfpack’s win over Wake Forest last week, while punt returner Rashard Smith has a 73-yard punt return for a score to his credit this year, too. Kicker Nicklas Sade is 10 of 16 on field goals with a long of 50 yards.
Records: Clemson 9-1, 6-1 ACC; NC State 6-4, 3-3 ACC
Series record: Clemson leads 51-28-1
At Clemson: Clemson leads 22-11
Streak: Clemson has won seven of the last eight and four in a row at Clemson
Last meeting: 2011: NC State 37, Clemson 13
Last meeting at Clemson: 2010: Clemson 14, NC State 13
First meeting: 1899: Clemson 24, NC State 0
Clemson’s biggest margin of victory: 29 points (39-10 in 1985)
NC State’s biggest margin of victory: 38 points (45-7 in 1975)
Stat worth noting: Clemson is looking for its 10th win of the season. If the Tigers can achieve that, it will mark the first time Clemson has won 10 games during the regular season since 1981.
Second stat worth noting: If the Tigers do win, it will also mark only the fourth time a Clemson team has won 10 or more games in the regular season. The only teams to do it are the 1948 team (10-0), the 1978 team (10-1) and the 1981 team (11-0). All three of those teams went on to win their respective bowl games that year.
Third stat worth noting: Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd needs one more win to notch his 20th-career victory as a starter. Boyd, who is currently 19-5, will become only the seventh starting quarterback in Clemson history to accomplish that feat.
Memorable game: (October 13, 2001) Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler gained 517 total yards, an all-time Clemson record. He had a career best 23-27 passing for 333 yards and four scores. He also rushed for 184 yards and scored two more touchdowns. It was arguably the best individual performance in Clemson history as he accounted for an ACC record six touchdowns. Still, it was a 45-37 Clemson victory, as Phillip Rivers had another outstanding passing game for NC State to keep the game close.