North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
2-2 , 0-1
Clemson
2-1 , 1-0
Wolfpack Drops ACC Opener at Clemson
9/21/2024 3:42:00 PM | Football
The Tigers scored on all but one first-half drive, heading into halftime with a 45-7 lead. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey became the first true freshman quarterback to start a game since Phillips Rivers did so in 2000.
Bailey threw his first passing touchdown in a Wolfpack uniform when he connected with Jordan Waters from five yards out to get NC State on the scoreboard. Bailey finished the day 16–25 for 204 yards with a touchdown and interception.
For the second straight week, running back Kendrick Raphael found the end zone as he scampered in from 10 yards out. Raphael finished the game as the leading rusher on the team with 10 rushes for a career-high 94 yards.
Justin Joly led the receiving department with three catches for 72 yards. Eleven different receivers caught a pass, including freshman Terrell Anderson, who caught his first touchdown pass of his career. Lex Thomas, who made his debut for the Pack, threw his first career touchdown to Anderson, a 40-yard catch and run to close out the game.
Another first for NC came from running back Hollywood Smothers as he scored his first touchdown with the Wolfpack with a two-yard rush into the endzone for the Wolfpack's third touchdown of the afternoon.
The third NC State rushing touchdown of the day came from Demarcus Jones, II. It was his second rushing score in his career as he carried it in from six yards out.
The Wolfpack's 59 points are the most they have given up since they gave up 62 points to Clemson in 2012.
The Wolfpack will return home next week for its final non-conference game of the season. On September 28, at noon, NC State will host No. 23 Northern Illinois at Carter Finley Stadium.
Team Stats
NCS 0, CLE 7
CLE - Klubnik,Cade 55 yd run (Hauser,Nolan kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:31
NCS 0, CLE 14
CLE - Williams,Antonio 31 yd pass from Klubnik,Cade (Hauser,Nolan kick) 6 plays, 91 yards, TOP 01:34
NCS 0, CLE 21
CLE - Williams,Antonio 2 yd pass from Klubnik,Cade (Hauser,Nolan kick) 5 plays, 18 yards, TOP 02:05
NCS 0, CLE 28
CLE - Mafah,Phil 38 yd run (Hauser,Nolan kick), 1 plays, 38 yards, TOP 00:07
NCS 7, CLE 28
NCS - Waters,Jordan 5 yd pass from Bailey,CJ (Vinesett,Kanoah kick) 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 04:37
NCS 7, CLE 35
CLE - Turner,Cole 18 yd run (Hauser,Nolan kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:32
NCS 7, CLE 42
CLE - Haynes,Jay 19 yd run (Hauser,Nolan kick), 9 plays, 89 yards, TOP 03:12
NCS 7, CLE 45
CLE - Hauser,Nolan 20 yd field goal 7 plays, 24 yards, TOP 00:47
NCS 7, CLE 52
CLE - Randall,Adam 4 yd pass from Klubnik,Cade (Hauser,Nolan kick) 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 03:05
NCS 14, CLE 52
NCS - Raphael,Kendrick 6 yd run (Vinesett,Kanoah kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:29
NCS 14, CLE 59
CLE - Hampton,Ashton 53 yd interception (Hauser,Nolan kick)
NCS 21, CLE 59
NCS - Smothers,Hollywood 2 yd run (Vinesett,Kanoah kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:25
NCS 28, CLE 59
NCS - Jones, II,Demarcus 6 yd run (Vinesett,Kanoah kick), 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:39
NCS 35, CLE 59
NCS - Anderson,Terrell 40 yd pass from Thomas,Lex (Vinesett,Kanoah kick) 10 plays, 87 yards, TOP 03:42
