RALEIGH, N.C. – The Clemson Tigers failed to stay out of their own way yet again during the first half vs. the NC State Wolfpack, but found some rhythm in the second quarter.

After waking up, Clemson made it a 10-7 game at halftime, but it could’ve been a tie or lead. With the Tigers latest messy half, here’s the halftime observations from Carter-Finley Stadium.

-Clemson called a perfect response to a blitz on the first drive of the game, with quarterback Cade Klubnik finding wide receiver Troy Stellato for a gain that would’ve moved the Tigers into opposing territory. The laundry was out though, and it stifled a great start to the game and led to an opening punt.

-The second offensive drive was promising for Clemson, but an airmailed interception by Klubnik quickly ended that. On the next play from scrimmage, the Wolfpack rushed for a 50-yard gain. Three plays later, it was a touchdown and that turnover instantly put the Tigers in a hole.

-Wes Goodwin’s defense had NC State backed up in their own territory on 2nd-and-19 before a facemask penalty gave the Wolfpack life. The drive ended up being eight plays, 55 yards and made it a two-possession game with  a field goal. 30 of the yards came on penalties, and the mistakes continue to pile up.

-Running back Will Shipley had a strong drive in the second quarter with 31 yards to get the Tigers down to the 1-yard line but it was followed with a scary scene where trainers surrounded him for a few minutes. Head coach Dabo Swinney went to the field to check on him, and he eventually got up and walked off gingerly under his own power. He didn’t return for the rest of the half.

-Shipley’s work didn’t go unnoticed and Klubnik went under center at the goal line, a rare sight in 2023, and handed it to running back Phil Mafah for the touchdown. Clemson desperately needed the score and it moved them within three points early in the second quarter.

-The Wolfpack mustered just 85 yards of offense in the first half, and 50 of that came on one play with 40 yards of penalties from the Tigers. In other words, NC State’s offense was smothered and its mistakes that gave them their 10 points in the first half.

-At the end of the first half, Clemson got complacent and settled for a field goal with a minute to play in Wolfpack territory. It cost them as Jonathan Weitz missed the 43-yard attempt.