WATCH: Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba ejected on a controversial targeting call in first half vs. NC State
Clemson will be without starting safety Andrew Mukuba for the remainder of Saturday nights game against North Carolina State after the safety was ejected for targeting shortly before halftime.
With North Carolina State driving, down 6-3, quarterback Devin Leary swung a pass to the boundary that was caught by wide receiver Keyon Lesane. Mukuba closed up and came in to make the tackle and was bounced off, but the contact from his head — specifically the crown of the helmet — got the defender tossed.
It wasn’t a popular call to the home Clemson crowd and ESPN’s own officiating expert on the broadcast didn’t think the call should’ve held up. Instead, Clemson will be without Mukuba through the remainder of Saturday’s game.
Mukuba had missed Clemson’s previous two games with an injury and his return was a big boon for a Tigers secondary that got torched a week ago. We’ll surely be hearing more about this targeting call in the days to come, no matter who wins tonight.
Swinney was generally pleased with Clemson’s first half performance
Clemson heldsa 13-10 lead over North Carolina State at the half as the two squads face off in a primetime matchup of Top 10 teams. After a first half that featured a number of long, high-snap possessions, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is happy to have the lead.
Clemson had just four offensive possessions in the first half and scored on three of them, which is good enough for Swinney after 30 minutes. He knows the Tigers will need to show a bit more to get the win, though.
“We’ve only had the ball four times and we’ve scored three times. So, we’ve moved the ball the whole half. We should’ve had one more touchdown, we missed a throw. But, time of possession, they kept it the whole, most of the first quarter. But four drives, three scores against this bunch? That’s a good first half for us,” Swinney said at half to ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
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Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has been crisp for Clemson, completing 12-of-17 passes for 120 yards and no scores through the air while adding a rushing touchdown setup by a big pass play to Will Shipley on a scramble drill.
Swinney did point out a few things Clemson could clean up. He highlighted a couple errors on defense that led to the Wolfpack scoring its only touchdown of the first half, plus some areas where the Tigers could’ve been crisper on offense.
He also seemingly alluded to Mukuba being ejected for targeting in the first half on a controversial call.
“But really disappointed in the big third down we gave up, the bust on cover two, and then to turn a guy loose — we need to hold them to a kick right there. But you know, a little adversity. A lot of challenges — some adversity with calls and all kind of stuff. Really proud of our guys. We’ve got the lead, this is what a championship-type game is all about,” Swinney said.