Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Clemson Tigers Match Player Stats On Oct 07, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 7, 2017

CLEMSON -- Second-ranked Clemson started quickly and coasted to 28-14 victory over Wake Forest at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers (6-0, 4-0 ACC) won their ninth consecutive game against the Demon Deacons (4-2, 1-2).

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant completed 21 of 29 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a knee injury with six minutes left in the third quarter. He did not return, but the injury did not appear to be serious.

Back-ups Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson led the Tigers the rest of the way.

Wake Forest senior quarterback John Wolford missed the game with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder suffered during last week's 26-19 loss against Florida State. He was replaced by redshirt sophomore Kendall Hinton, who completed 14 of 30 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 92 yards on 24 carries.

But much of Wake Forest's offensive success came after Clemson had built a 28-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Clemson scored on its first two possessions, driving 75 and 76 yards, respectively for a 14-0 lead.

Bryant completed 8 of 9 passes on the two drives, including a 28-yard loft into the arms of wide receiver Deon Cain for the first touchdown. It was Cain's 16th career touchdown reception, but just his second this season and his first since the season opener against Kent State.

The Tigers' second scoring drive was capped by a 4-yard run by running back Adam Choice.

Clemson outgained the Demon Deacons 385-131 in the first half, but still led only 14-0 at halftime.

Wake Forest kicker Mike Weaver, who entered the game having converted on all 10 of his field goal attempts this season, missed a 34-yarder late in the first quarter, then misfired on a 50-yard attempt early in the third quarter.

Clemson pushed its lead to 21-0 with 7:31 left in the third quarter, driving 68 yards in nine plays for a score, with the big play being a fourth-and-3 completion to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for a 29-yard gain to the Wake Forest 10-yard line. Bryant suffered a knee injury on the play.

Freshman running back Travis Etienne strolled in from the 1 two plays later.

Johnson went 4-for-4, including a 13-yard touchdown toss to tight end Cannon Smith, to give the Tigers a 28-0 lead with 11:48 remaining.

Wake Forest's first score came when Hinton connected with wide receiver Scotty Washington for a 16-yard touchdown with 8:32 left. Hinton later threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cam Serigne with 2:28 left in the game.

NOTES: Clemson LB Dorian O'Daniel has a team-leading 45 tackles, including a team-high five tackles on special teams. ... TE Cannon Smith caught his first career touchdown pass with 11:48 left in the game. ... S Tanner Muse led Clemson with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss, and also was credited with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. ... Wake Forest WR Greg Dortch leads the Deacons with 35 catches for 430 yards this season. ... WR Scotty Washington's 16-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the first touchdown catch of his career. ... S Cameron Glenn led Wake Forest with 11 tackles.