NC State’s defense ‘not playing tough enough’ in loss at No. 21 Clemson

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Sep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Jay Haynes (26) runs against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Caden Fordham (10) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

CLEMSON, S.C. — NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson went on the Wolfpack’s weekly radio show earlier this month and noted his defense wasn’t up to the same caliber as last year’s unit. “I knew we weren’t going to be the same caliber that we were the last few years, but we still have a standard here,” Gibson said then. But Gibson, the Pack’s sixth-year defensive guru, likely wasn’t expecting to see his unit give up 28 first-quarter points at No. 21 Clemson in a 59-35 loss on Saturday afternoon. “It looked like we were on our heels, I’m not sure why,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said postgame. “They had a bye week … but we didn’t use the rules of our system well. We’ve got to be better than that. That’s not who we are on defense. I know coach Gibson’s sick to his stomach right now about it.”