CLEMSON — Clemson’s offense slept through the first half but came out energized in the third quarter against Wake Forest Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Luckily for the Tigers, their defense was not asleep.

In what was a low-scoring game with both teams struggling to move the football, it was the Clemson defense that was the difference maker in a 17-12 victory.

The funny thing is the Clemson defense played the way it did, though starting cornerbacks Sheridan Jones (headache) and Nate Wiggins (knee) did not play. In addition, it lost safety Jalyn Phillips to an arm injury in the first quarter.

Cornerbacks Jeadyn Lukus and Toriano Pride Jr. stepped in smoothly for Jones and Wiggins, and the latter finished the game with three pass breakups. With Phillips out, Andrew Mukuba stepped back to safety from the nickel position and kept the group rolling through the game.

The Deacons got two turnovers deep in Clemson territory and failed to score either time, mitigating costly offensive mistakes. Additionally, they were 2-for-12 on third down. Their best drive came when it was too late, making it a one-possession game before a failed onside kick.

The Deacs (3-2, 0-2 ACC) finished with just 239 total yards.

Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis was under duress all day by the Clemson defense. He was sacked four times by the Tigers, who added eight tackles for loss in the victory.

The Demon Deacons finished the game with just 137 passing yards and no touchdowns on 15-of-25 passing.

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