Clemson and Wake Forest delivered the best game of the weekend on Saturday as the Tigers came out on top 51-45. It took two overtimes to decide a winner as the two teams went into a shootout in the late stages of the game. It did not look like the game was going to play out this way when the Tigers scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and shutting down Wake Forest on theirs. However, momentum shifted quickly in the second half as the Wake Forest offense found their footing and would one point score touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. The Clemson defense was clearly reeling, something that they are not accustomed to at all under head coach Dabo Swinney. With the defense on the ropes for all of the second half, it was going to be up to quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and the offense to keep the Tigers in the game. They would prove to deliver in a huge way.
DJ Sets New Standard
The performance against Wake Forest by Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was undoubtedly his best as a Clemson Tiger. He was the main reason why the Tigers were able to stay alive in this game. DJ played had a solid first half, but it was in the second half where DJ would prove himself. The Clemson defense was letting Wake Forest score at will in the second half, but DJ was able to respond every time.
A big reason for Clemson’s comeback was that they set a program record with 16 third down conversions in the game. Uiagalelei being responsible for 9 of them. In past games, DJ would have possessions where he would show signs of being an elite quarterback. He played like one for the entirety of this contest. He was consistently delivering perfect passes to receivers, showing great pocket presence, and kept the ball out of harms way all game. The whole offense could tell that DJ was in a groove, and they fed off his confidence.
Running back Will Shipley had another great game including a gritty, clutch rushing touchdown from the one yard line where he reached over the goal line to tie the game at 35. Receivers Joseph Ngata, Beaux Collins, and Antonio Williams were clutch down the stretch. Creating seperation for DJ, and going up and grabbing one-on-one balls. DJ completed passes to eight different receivers including tight end Davis Allen, who had the game winning touchdown reception in the second overtime. Uiagalelei would finish 26/41, throwing for 371 yards and a career high five touchdown passes with no interceptions.
Great for DJ, Now Do It Again
Saturday’s game against Wake Forest showed Clemson a lot about what they are a made of at the moment. One takeaway can certainly be the fact that the defense gave up 45 points. However, with a depleted secondary, and given Dabo Swinney’s history, it may be too early to tell if this is going to be a trend. Wake Forest is a talented team, and they went into that game against Clemson as confident as they have ever been. With that being said, the biggest takeaway from this game for Clemson fans has to be the play of DJ Uiagalelei. The performance could not have come at a better time, as Clemson gets ready to host the tenth ranked team in the country in NC State. DJ has to be riding off of this high, as well as the entire team knowing that their quarterback is capable of performances like this. Now that DJ has proven he can perform at an elite level, the bar has been raised for him and is going to be expected to play like he did against Wake Forest for the rest of the season. At a place like Clemson where the standard is championships, DJ has to make that be the standard for himself if Clemson wants to have the season they hope they can have.
