RALEIGH, N.C. – The tandem of running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah is crucial to Clemson, and their relationship is something both have talked about at length. As competitors, both want to get the ball but there’s a clear respect and hope that each succeed.

In the first half against NC State, it was a scary scene was Shipley tried to score and came up just short, and took a brutal hit to the neck area. After the play, he was on his back and didn’t move for a minute before he got up under his own power and reached the sideline.

Shipley didn’t return to the game, and Mafah gave his reaction to seeing his running mate go down when he spoke to media afterwards.

“It hurt bad. That’s my brother and we’ve been at Clemson together for all the years we’ve been here so definitely felt sad to see him go down,” Mafah said.

Right after Shipley went down, there was no time to process someone Mafah relates to like a brother. Instead, he took the field and stepped up in his absence. On the next play from scrimmage, Mafah barreled through Wolfpack defenders for the first Tigers touchdown of the game.

It was a moment that meant more for Mafah, because he wanted to have Shipley’s back.

“For him, for the team, for everyone in Clemson,” Mafah said.

At halftime, the team knew that Shipley wouldn’t return and trying to galvanize it into success was a challenge according to Mafah. Nonetheless, he put together a strong performance with 16 carries for 84 yards. Those were both season-highs and he added two touchdowns on the day.

“It was definitely discouraging but we all know we’ve got a job. Especially the running back room, just to keep the standard and just keep going, keep fighting for the team and for (Shipley) especially,” Mafah said.

As the season progresses, Shipley’s status is unknown but he didn’t have to be transported off-site for evaluation. If he’s out for future games, Mafah understands what it takes and plans to deliver for his brother.