CLEMSON- After playing just 12 snaps in the season-opening loss to Georgia, Saturday’s home-opener against App State was a different story entirely for Bryant Wesco

The freshman made his first career start in front of a capacity crowd at Death Valley, and it didn’t take long for the former 5-star recruit to make his presence felt.

“It exceeded all my expectations,” Wesco said after the win Saturday night. “It was crazy. I never thought that that many people would come to watch a game that I am playing in. It was just crazy. Just crazy fans. I love it here.”

“Never in my life would I have dreamed that I would be here right now, making that many plays in front of that many people.”

On the Tigers’ third offensive play of the game, Wesco found himself on the receiving end of a 76-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik. It was Wesco’s first catch in front of the home crowd and first touchdown of his college career.

“It was deafening whenever I caught that ball and ran,” Wesco said. “I could not hear anything. Not even my own thoughts really. The fans were crazy. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Since I have started playing football that will probably be the most memorable experience I will ever have.”

That first reception that went for a score set the tone for an offensive explosion as No. 25 Clemson scored seven first-half touchdowns on its way to a 66-20 victory inside Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

Wesco would finish with a game-high 130 receiving yards on just three catches, averaging a staggering 43.3 yards per catch. While it’s unrealistic to expect any receiver to keep producing at that rate, Wesco is determined to keep putting up big numbers, and when he is on the field, he wants the ball.

“I know that any route I run, I expect the ball,” he said. “I looked back, looked at Cade, look in the air, see that ball and I was like yeah it’s go time.”

Much was made about the progress the offense had made throughout the spring and fall camp and while it didn’t show in the blowout loss to Georgia, it absolutely did on Saturday night.

The 56 points in the first half were a modern era record for the program. The 35 points scored in the first quarter were also a program record for the most scored in an opening stanza. And it all started with the deep shot to Wesco.

It was the kind of performance that starts runs, and with a bye week on the docket for next weekend, the Tigers should return to the field in two weeks against North Carolina State feeling really good about themselves.

“I would say it gives us a big confidence boost knowing that we are good enough to be one of the best teams in the nation,” Wesco added. “Knowing that if we focus on the details and focus on our task, making sure there are no bust plays, we can be the best team in the league.”

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