By Will Vandervort.
Here is an inside look at the Clemson-NC State series as the Clemson Tigers host the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday at Death Valley. The game will be televised by ESPNU at 3:30 p.m.
About the NC State Wolfpack: NC State has scored 40-plus points in its last four games. It marks the first time a Wolfpack squad has ever posted more than back-to-back 40-plus point games. The Pack comes in with a 4-1 record.
The NC State offense: NC State leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in total offense. Dave Doeren’s Wolfpack is averaging 505.6 yards per game – a mark that ranks 20th in the FBS. That mark is up over 100 yards from a year ago. After five games, quarterback Jacoby Brissett ranks among the ACC and national leaders in total offense, passing efficiency, completion percentage, passing TDs and points responsible for. He has gone 156 passes without throwing an interception.
The NC State defense: NC State’s defense is led by Jerod Fernandez, who has 39 tackles in the five games, while Hakim Jones has 38. Defensive end Art Norman is a senior from Stone Mountain, Ga., has 16.5 career sacks, which ranks among the top 10 totals in the nation among active FBS players.
Records: Clemson 2-2, 1-1 ACC; NC State 4-1, 0-1 ACC
Series record: Clemson leads 53-28-1
Last year: Clemson won 26-14
First meeting: 1899, Clemson won 24-0 at Rock Hill, S.C.
Last NC State win: 2011, 37-13
Last NC State win at Clemson: 2002, 38-6
Stat worth noting: Clemson has won the last two games of the series and nine of the last 10. Clemson has won the last five games in Memorial Stadium, but all five have been decided by 14 points or less. That includes a 62-48 Clemson win in 2012.
Second stat worth noting: In its first four games, the Wolfpack has found an almost perfect balance between the run and the pass. With 1,156 yards on the ground and 1,372 through the air, NC State has close to a 50/50 balance. That makes the Wolfpack’s offense the most balanced in the ACC in this young season and the fifth-most balanced in the FBS among teams ranked in the top 20 nationally in total offense.
Third stat worth noting: Clemson’s 53 wins over NC State rank as the third most wins over an opponent. The 65 wins over South Carolina rank No. 1 followed by 61 over Wake Forest.
Memorable game: In 2012, Clemson clinched its first 10-win regular season since 1981 with a 62-48 win over NC State at Clemson. The Tigers had a run of 42 consecutive points after trailing at one point, 24-13. The two teams combined for 1,351 yards and 110 points, both records for a Clemson game. Tajh Boyd threw for 426 yards and ran for 103, giving him a Clemson record 529 yards of total offense. Clemson gained 754 yards of total offense, second most in Clemson history. NC State quarterback Mike Glennon completed 29-53 passes for 493 yards, the second most passing yards in history against the Tigers.