Associated PressCLEMSON, S.C. ó Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper started the game with a big mistake. But after his first pass went for interception and touchdown, the senior got back to his old consistent, steady self.
Harper went 20-of-28, throwing for 262 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers (2-1) to a 27-9 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
The Death Valley crowd hadn’t settled from the run down the hill when Wolfpack linebacker Nate Irving stepped in front of a receiver and took Harper’s pick 33 yards for a score. N.C. State (1-2) missed the point-after.
But Harper shook off his error, and led Clemson on a 68-yard touchdown drive. The Tigers wouldn’t trail again.
The Wolfpack (1-2) leave the state of South Carolina without scoring an offensive touchdown after being shut out 34-0 to open the season at South Carolina. They now haven’t scored a TD on offense against a BCS team in 13 straight quarters going back to last year.
N.C. State had chances. They twice made it inside the Clemson 10, missing one field goal and making another. The Wolfpack drove into Tigers territory five other times, three drives ending in punts and two in interceptions.
Wolfpack freshman quarterback Russell Wilson was 10-of-21 for 92 yards. Andre Brown led N.C. State with 64 yards rushing.