CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers played a mess of a game against Wake Forest, but came out with a 17-12 victory. With wind playing a heavy factor, a nightmarish start was mitigated by Wes Goodwin’s defense, and it’s a wonder where this game would’ve ended without their excellence.

Success from the offense in recent weeks was absent and mistakes from early in the season revealed themselves again. Nonetheless, Clemson is back to .500 in the ACC and here’s the 411 on the win.

-This was a mess from Garrett Riley’s offense. 142 yards and 14 points came on two drives, while the Tigers mustered 198 yards otherwise. So much momentum and confidence built up for this group and it disappeared so quickly in this one.

-Late in the third quarter, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. took down quarterback Mitch Griffis as he made an incomplete pass. A few seconds after the play, a flag was thrown for an egregious roughing the passer call that spotted Wake Forest three points. The crowd let out boos for the rest of the drive, and head coach Dabo Swinney laid into the officials during the commercial break.

-Swinney told everyone Robert Gunn III would stay the kicker for long attempts. Turns out that was a bluff, and he rolled out Jonathan Weitz for a 51-yarder. Albeit he had the leg, but it was missed wide left. Taking that chance in this wind was extremely bold, and it did not pay off whatsoever.

-If it wasn’t for a near-perfect performance from the Tigers defense, Clemson would have three losses in the ACC. The Demon Deacons were limited to 1-11 on third down and three of their six points came on a Tigers fumble near their own goal line. Wake Forest finished with 188 total yards, the lowest Wes Goodwin’s group has surrendered in ACC play.

TURNING POINT

The grinder in Death Valley was at a 10-6 gridlock in the fourth quarter, and Clemson delivered a methodical drive of eight plays and 61 yards for a touchdown to make it a two-possession game.

Given the struggles that the Deacons had against the Tigers defense, that began to draw the curtains for Wake Forest, who couldn’t string together a drive to that point. They showed some moxie with a late touchdown drive to make it a one-possession game, but it was too late.

TELLING STAT: 2-12

That’s the success rate for the Deacons on third down against the Tigers. Drives never sustained for Wake Forest and that’s what ultimately did them in. Coming into this week, Clemson’s offense was rolling but they had to rely on their backbone and it saved them another loss in the conference. The Tigers get another win in the ACC and head into the bye week accordingly.