By Dave Holcomb
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Dave Holcomb recaps Clemson’s win over Wake Forest.

When the season finishes, the 2021 Clemson football campaign could be remembered as the worst for the Tigers in a decade.

But that mattered little Saturday even against the No. 10-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Thats because it was senior day at Clemson, and this proud program wasnt about to let their seniors suffer their home first loss.

The Tigers havent lost at Memorial Stadium since Nov. 2016.

To win the 34th straight game at home, Clemsons running game exploded for 333 yards, leading the offense to season highs in points in conference play. Even Wake Forests high-flying offense couldnt keep up, as the Tigers defeated the Demon Deacons, 48-27.

The struggles for sophomore quarterback DJ Uiagalelei have been well documented this season. But the Clemson running game hasnt been great either for most of the year and should take equal blame for the disappointing Tigers offense this season.

Dont believe me? Well, just look at what the Clemson offense did when it finally found its ground game Saturday. The Tigers averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns.

Coming into the game, Clemson had just five rushing touchdowns in the last three ACC games combined.

Running back Kobe Pace led the way with 191 rushing yards, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. Will Shipley also reached the century mark with 112 rushing yards. Both backs scored two touchdowns.

With the running game moving the chains on its own, there was little pressure for Uiagalelei, who came into the week with an injured knee. Rather than needing to do too much, Uiagalelei played within himself, and had his best game, throwing for 208 yards on just 19 attempts with a touchdown and interception.

It was the first game of the season that the sophomore signal caller averaged more than 7.4 yards per pass. His average was well above that mark with 10.9 yards per attempt.

Of course, it helped that the opponent was Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons defense came into the game ranked 10th in the ACC with 5.96 yards allowed per play. Somehow, that average increased Saturday against the last-ranked offense in terms of yardage in the conference.

But still, that hardly puts a damper on Clemsons senior day, especially when the Tigers shut down the Wake Forest offense more than anyone else this season.

The Demon Deacons not only were the top scoring ACC offense before Saturday, but they had at least 35 points in every game this year — the only FBS team that had accomplished that feat.

Clemson snapped that streak, holding Wake Forest to three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter when the game was pretty much decided.

Despite their high-scoring offense, the Demon Deacons looked uncomfortable down 10 in the first quarter. Twice in the first half, Wake Forest settled for field goals in the red zone. The early lead played right into Clemsons run-first game plan. With the running game, Clemson wore out the Demon Deacons defense, and the Tigers controlled the ball for nearly 34 minutes.

Wake Forests best opportunity to turn the tide came early in the third quarter when Demon Deacons defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd perfectly defended a speed-option play and recovered a fumble at the Wake Forest 15-yard line. At the time, the Demon Deacons only trailed by a touchdown.

But one play later, Christian Turner fumbled to give the ball right back to Clemson. The Tigers learned from their mistake and pounded their running backs straight ahead on the next three plays to score a touchdown and take a 14-point lead.

Rather than the Bothroyd fumble recovery being a turning point for Wake Forest, Clemson has turned things a bit in the Atlantic division race. Wake Forest still controls its destiny, but must win next week at Boston College to clinch the division.

Otherwise, maybe this wont be remembered as the worst Clemson football season in a decade.