Valiant defensive effort leads NC State past Clemson

NC State (5-3) football kicked off against Clemson (4-4) shortly after 2 p.m.. More than three hours later, the Wolfpack ended the matchup with a massive 24-17 win.

The Tigers lost a close overtime bout with Miami last week, while the Wolfpack had an open date. Duke defeated NC State 24-3 in its last game.

Tight end Trent Pennix and running back Demarcus Jones II were not in pads for pregame warmups.

Throughout the conference clash, TheWolfpacker.com will post live updates from Carter-Finley Stadium.

Live updates from NC State vs. Clemson

FOURTH QUARTER

5:19
FINAL: NC State wins 24-17

5:18
Clemson’s fourth down pass falls incomplete.

5:09
Timeout Clemson. The Tigers have the ball at the 50 with 1:15 left.

5:00
A critical drop stalls an NC State drive. Noonkester punts down to the 7.

4:53
An explosive run by Mafah helps set up a short field goal. The Pack leads 24-17 with 6:57 left in the game.

4:50
NC State quickly went three and out. Clemson ball at the 50 with 8:44 left in the game.

4:45
A Clemson drive fizzles after a huge hit and a forced fumble by Jaylon Scott. The Pack takes over at its 17 yard line with 9:42 left in the game after a booming punt and a short return by Jalen Coit.

4:40
NC State went 3 and out, punting to the Clemson 26.

4:32
Touchdown Clemson on a 1 yard rush by Mafah. NC State leads 24-14 with 14:57 left in the fourth.

4:28
Payton Wilson left the game with an injury towards the end of the third quarter. During the break, he was on the sideline jogging and testing out his leg.

THIRD QUARTER

4:26
END OF 3Q: NC State leads 24-7. Clemson has the ball on the Pack’s 1 yard line.

4:18
Touchdown NC State. Kevin Concepcion took a slant 72 yards to the house. The Pack leads 24-7.

4:13
Clemson drives up to the 50, but the Pack forced a punt for a touchback with 6:15 left in the quarter.

4:05
Touchdown NC State After going three and out, the Pack makes a huge play. Davin Vann deflects a pass that lands in Payton Wilson’s hands for a pick six. The Wolfpack leads 17-7 with 10:01 left in the third.

3:58
The Wolfpack forces a quick 3 and out and takes over on Clemson’s 41.

3:50
The Pack picks up a first down, but the drive fizzles and Noonkester punts down to Clemson’s 10 with 12:55 in the third.

SECOND QUARTER

3:26
HALFTIME: Clemson missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the half. The Pack leads 10-7.

3:21
Timeout Clemson with 49 second left in the first half facing 2nd and 3 at the Pack’s 33.

3:18
The Pack quickly goes three and out and punts to Clemson’s 48 with 2:40 left in the half.

3:15
Clemson goes three and out and punts down to NC State’s 13 with 4:59 left in the half.

3:12
NC State went three and out and punted down to the Clemson 39 yard line.

3:06
Touchdown Clemson. Phil Mafah runs it in from 1 yard out. NC State leads 10-7 with 8:24 left in the quarter.

2:54
NC State drives into Clemson territory, and Brayden Narveson drilled a 41-yard field goal with 12:11 left in the second quarter.

FIRST QUARTER

2:43
END OF 1Q: NC State leads 7-0 and has the ball at its own 42.

2:39
The Pack defense allowed -2 yards on the drive and forced a punt down to the Pack 22 with 2:03 left in the first.

2:35
NC State goes three and out after only picking up 2 yards, and Clemson takes over at its own 45 yard line with 3:37 left in the first.

2:30
Clemson picked up a first down, but the Wolfpack forced a punt. The Pack takes back over at its 11 with 5:11 left in the first.

2:23
Touchdown NC State!! Kevin Concepcion took a handoff 50 yards and then caught a 9-yard touchdown to put the Pack up 7-0 with 7:18 left in the first quarter.

2:17
Klubnik overthrew his receiver for an interception by Devan Boykin.

2:14
The Pack quickly goes three and out. Clemson has the ball back at their own 12 with 11:36 left in the quarter.

Jordan Poole getting the start at RB for the Pack today after defense forces a punt.

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) October 28, 2023

2:12
Aydan White recorded a pass breakup on third down to force a 24-yard punt. The Pack takes over at its own 45.

2:06
NC State won the toss and deferred.