Snap judgments as Clemson pounds Wake Forest on Senior Day

The Clemson offense picked the perfect day to play its best game of the season.

The Tigers pounded Wake Forest 48-27 Saturday afternoon at Death Valley, extending their home winning streak to 34 games on Senior Day while keeping their ACC title hopes alive.

The Tigers finished with 543 yards of offense, their most in a game this year, and played by far their most complete game of 2021.

“It was just what we needed. It was our best day on our last day at home. Just gotta tip my hat to these guys,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “You go from 2-2 and a ton of disappointment and noise and lots of guys out… you’re sitting there 2-2 and now you’ve won six out of seven.”

With the win, Clemson improves to 8-3 (6-2), while Wake Forest falls to 9-2 (6-1) with the loss. The Tigers can clinch the ACC Atlantic Division and reach the ACC title game if Boston College beats Wake Forest next weekend and if NC State loses to either Syracuse or North Carolina.

“We didn’t want anybody to come here in the Valley and have a trophy handed to them. Our guys took a lot of pride in that today,” Swinney said. “Five years in a row undefeated at home, that’s just unbelievable. It was a special locker room to be able to see them celebrate one last time in the Valley and know that they finished well.”

Here are some takeaways from the Tigers’ victory:

Clemson offensive line leads way

A week after struggling to run against UConn, the Tigers completely controlled the game on the ground against Wake Forest. Clemson rushed for 333 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry.

Kobe Pace finished with 191 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, while Will Shipley added 112 yards and a pair of scores. Wake Forest knew Clemson was going to run and couldn’t stop it. Tigers offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said he felt like if the offensive line played to its potential, Clemson could control the line of scrimmage. That certainly took place.

“We matched up well. Obviously they’re very well coached. Felt like inside wise they’re not as big as what we’ve seen in previous games,” Elliott said. “We knew that we had to run the football. … The communication was really good, the backs ran hard.”

DJ Uiagalelei plays best game

Clemson’s starting quarterback wasn’t perfect, but he played his best game of the year. DJ Uiagalelei hit his favorite target Beaux Collins on a pair of deep passes, including one where he avoided two sacks before heaving the ball down the field. The sophomore also did some nice things in the running game to at least keep Wake Forest honest.

Uiagalelei was 11 for 19 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He added 30 yards on the ground.

“I’m so proud of DJ because he’s been under more scrutiny than probably anybody in the country,” Elliott said. “He’s been playing through a knee. He won’t make excuses. He prepares week in and week out.”

Tigers defense was ready

Wake Forest put up some points, like it has on everyone this season, but Brent Venables had his unit ready to play. Wake Forest had only 10 total yards in the first quarter and finished with only 36 rushing yards. Clemson led from start to finish, thanks in large part to the effort by the defense. Even when the Tigers fumbled early in the third quarter, the defense immediately got the ball back with a turnover on the next play.

“The guys were terrific. … We really did a great job of complementing each other up front and in the back end,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “We’ve got a lot to get better at, but I’m so proud of our guys.”