CLEMSON – Garrett Riley’s offense had momentum and confidence after a strong road performance, coming back to Death Valley for a matchup with Wake Forest. What the Clemson Tigers had shown on that side of the ball was absent against the Demon Deacons.

Thankfully for Clemson, the offensive line was up to the call and made sure those struggles didn’t lead to a snowball effect. During the game, quarterback Cade Klubnik wasn’t sacked and a lot of that credit can go to the group up front.

Klubnik is beginning to show that internal clock, and it only heightens the floor of this offense because he’s aware of when he needs to leave the pocket. That said, it’s only possible because of consistency from the offensive line and he’s very thankful for that group.

“I think our offensive line did a heck of a job. I’m probably going to take them out to dinner one of these days because no sacks. I mean, that’s great stuff against a defense that will kind of be all over the place,” Klubnik said.

The vertical offense we saw in Syracuse was erased this week, and some of that can be credited to the wind conditions in Clemson. Nonetheless, the Tigers offense carved out success when they needed it.

While running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah buried the game, it was the offensive line paving the way and Klubnik just smiled talking about how that group makes it so easy on him.

“They’re gonna go back and look at this and theh did a great job opening up the gaps and letting them go and hit it. Especially on that last drive, just kind of throughout the whole game,” Klubnik said.

A majority of the Tigers 207 rushing yards came in the waning moments, and it was right when Clemson needed to get on the backs off their offensive line. It’s a group still working out the kinks, but that reliability late can’t be overstated heading into the bye week.