WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest saw an opening, a brief glimpse of glory, and then that gap closed faster than
Peter Woods on an unfortunate defensive defender. And the Tigers keep going.

The Demon Deacons took a 7-0 lead against No. 10 Clemson late in the first quarter on Saturday afternoon, and the home crowd – perhaps 60-40 or 55-45 in favor of the home team – and the players on the sideline were up in arms and forward Dance for joy. Maybe, just maybe, this was the day the 15-game loss to Clemson would end.

The Tigers were ineffective on offense in the first quarter, and the defense gave up chunk plays here and there, allowing the Demon Deacons to score the 31-yard touchdown to take the lead. Social media was abuzz with questions about the quarterback Cade Klubnikthe offensive line, the defense, the linebackers. Scar tissue runs deep around these parts.

But then the offensive came to life, and one hammer blow after another followed. Those hammer shots came to life in the second quarter when the Tigers tied the game for a four-and-goal. The Tigers brought in defensive tackle Demonte Capehart at tight end and defensive lineman Peter Woods as the leading fullback, and when the ball was snapped, Woods hurled his 320-pound body at safety Nick Andersen.

Andersen reports at 5-11, 197 pounds, and when he saw Woods bore himself with bad intentions, he made a business decision and collapsed in time to avoid a devastating blow. It wasn't over yet for the Demon Deacons, who had to endure many more hammer blows.

The Clemson defense gave up 195 yards in the first half but made adjustments again. The defense played more of a five-man front – which slowed down the mesh game – and the Demon Deacons had minus-11 yards on 11 plays in the third quarter. Overall, Wake Forest only managed 38 yards of total offense in the second half.

The defense also committed two turnovers – both of which led to touchdowns – and sacked Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier three times.

The Tigers racked up 76 yards of offense in a scoreless first quarter, but finished with 566 yards of total offense, including 343 yards through the air and 223 yards on the ground. On offense, star freshman receiver Bryant Wesco (ankle) and sophomore receiver were missing Tyler Brown traveled, but I'm not sure if I saw him on the field as he continues to recover from an ankle injury (Dabo Swinney said he was “week-to-week” after the game and could miss next week after to get well again during the open week in Virginia).

The total offense of over 500 yards is the fourth time the Tigers have exceeded 500 yards this season, the most in five games in 2020. By the way, the offense also had 37 first downs. The 37 first downs were the third most in school history and resulted in the best possession of the season at 36:29.

Additionally, Antonio Williams became the first tiger since then CJ Spiller in 2009 to throw and catch a touchdown in one game, hauling in a 22-yarder from tight end Cade Klubnik in the second quarter Jake Briningstool on a 28-yard one-two pass in the third quarter.

In other words, it was a complete performance, the kind of performance you need against an overwhelming opponent.

Next? Virginia and Tony Elliott.