Clemson secondary still confident, despite struggles vs. Wake Forest

CLEMSON — In addition to being skilled, there are two other qualities it’s important for cornerbacks to have. One is confidence and the other is a short-term memory.

It’s safety to say Clemson sophomore corner Nate Wiggins possesses both of those.

Wiggins spoke with the media earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s game against NC State and said he is not concerned about Clemson’s secondary moving forward, despite the Tigers allowing Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman to pass for 337 yards and six touchdowns this past weekend.

“We know what we can do,” Wiggins said. “That game doesn’t show what we are capable of.”

Wiggins ended up breaking up Hartman’s final attempt of the game, sealing Clemson’s win in double-overtime.

But there were plenty of shaky moments leading up to that point.

Wiggins allowed four catches on six targets and was also flagged four times — three times for pass interference and once for holding.

Still, his confidence never wavered.

“You’ve gotta have the mindset if you’re a cornerback of you’ve just got to go to the next play,” he said.

On paper, NC State’s passing attack shouldn’t present as big of a challenge to the Tigers as Wake Forest’s.

While Hartman entered the game averaging more than 300 passing yards per game, NC State’s Devin Leary is averaging only 222.5.

NC State also doesn’t have the deep threats at receiver that Wake Forest does.

Still, after what Clemson put on film this past weekend, you can bet that the Wolfpack will take plenty of deep shots.

Wiggins hopes NC State does and insists the Tigers will be ready this time.

“They can try. I know what I can do. I ain’t gonna never have no game like that again,” Wiggins said when asked if he expects teams to go after Clemson’s cornerbacks moving forward. “So they can try. But it’s not going to be the same results.”

Again, it’s safe to say Wiggins doesn’t lack confidence and has already moved on from the struggles against Wake Forest.

“I just know my talent,” he said. “I feel like one game doesn’t [show] who I am.”