Clemson defense makes statement with play against NC State

The Clemson defense went back to work following a disappointing performance against Wake Forest, determined to fix the mistakes that nearly led to the Tigers being upset in Winston-Salem.

Yes, Clemson held off Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons for a 51-45 win, but the way the unit played was a wake up call.

“I can say that in my five years, that was the first time I’ve ever been a part of anything like that,” Clemson defensive end KJ Henry said Saturday night after the Tigers handled NC State. “The mindset was ‘that ain’t ever gonna happen again.’”

The Clemson defense looked like a completely different unit against the Wolfpack, holding NC State to only 13 points until a garbage time touchdown late.

NC State defenders laughed in the preseason about the notion that Clemson still has the best defense in the ACC.

But the Tigers got the last laugh on Saturday.

“Especially after the way we played last week, I was about to agree with them,” Henry said when asked about the video. “But it is what it is.”

After NC State won last year, Dave Doeren did an interview with the ACC Network from the parking lot of Carter-Finley Stadium while drinking out of a red solo cup and smoking a cigar.

Henry said Saturday night that the Tigers would not be partaking in any of those activities after the win.

“This is just a game that we wanted to win because they were another team in our way,” Henry said. “We won’t be smoking no cigars or drinking out of no red solo cups tonight. It’s just water bottles and getting ready for the next one. That’s all we’re worried about.”

Up next is a trip to Boston to face Boston College, before the Tigers have another tough test at Florida State on Oct. 15.

The defense will enter both matchups with plenty of confidence, though, after holding NC State to 279 yards on Saturday.

“We took a step in the right direction,” Henry said. “Guys are just where they’re supposed to be. When they’re in the right spot, it’s hard to beat those guys in the back seven. I don’t care if they just got here a couple of months ago, they’re talented.”