No. 5 Clemson Survives Double-OT Thriller Against No. 21 Wake Forest, 51-45

 

Clemson squeaked out a win against Wake Forest this weekend thanks to a defensive stand in the second overtime that helped extend the Tigers’ win-streak against the Demon Deacons to 14 games.

Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei lead the way with 371 yards and 5 passing touchdowns (TDs) along with being the team second-leading rusher.

He had two touchdowns in the OT periods.

Senior tight end Davis Allen caught two touchdowns, including the final one that helped secure the win.

“He’s more deserving than anybody else on the team,” Clemson offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter said when asked about Allen’s play and who got the game ball. “He’s such an unselfish player.”

Allen was third on the team in receptions last season; he has nine catches for 120 yards this season. His impact, though, comes more so in his ability to make an impact as a blocker.

“I don’t think people know how good Davis Allen is,” Uiagalelei added. “I always say I think Davis Allen will play in the NFL for 10 years, just by the way he works, by his attitude. Every day he shows up with the same mindset and with the same work ethic.”

His ability to line up as a normal TE, or play outside the hash as more of an offensive weapon forces the opposition to constantly worry about where he’ll be.

“He might be the best blocking tight end we’ve ever had here,” Streeter added. “And that’s how good of a blocker Davis Allen is. He’s dependable, and then you saw what he can do in the passing game. He’s a big body that has so much confidence in going up and making plays. So just proud of him and I’m just glad he got some (catches) today and was able to get in the end zone.”

Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman set a school record with this six TDs.

“That locker room right now is hurting,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “It’s a football team that has invested a lot and they care a lot and expected to win this game.”

Wake Forest just came up short in their final drive as Nate Wiggins broke up Hartman’s pass.

“The only good thing about the game [defensively] is we gave up six touchdown passes — we didn’t give up seven,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said with a chuckle. “That’s the only good thing I can say. And they never quit and they kept battling and they played one more play — and Nate came up with it right there at the end.”

Clemson will look to build on this win when they host No. 12 North Carolina State next week in another divisional rivalry matchup. Wake Forest is away at Florida State next week.