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The Clemson Tigers stars come together for an early touchdown against Wake Forest

The Clemson Tigers stars come together for an early touchdown against Wake Forest

It took more than a quarter for the No. 10 Clemson Tigers to get on the field, but a second-quarter touchdown pass helped them tie their game with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday.

The Tigers (4-1, 3-0 in ACC) entered the game on a four-game winning streak, while the Demon Deacons (2-3, 1-1) had their first win over an AP top-10 team since 78 targeted years.

Clemson trailed 7-0 late in the first quarter before quarterback Cade Klubnik engineered a 78-yard scoring drive that extended into the second quarter.

He capped the drive by completing a 22-yard pass to his top target of the season, wide receiver Antonio Williams, which Williams carried into the end zone despite two defenders surrounding him.

The game ended 7-7 with 13:39 minutes left in the second quarter.

At that point, Klubnik was 9 of 13 for 100 yards and a touchdown. The catch was the first of the day for Williams. Troy Stellato and TJ Moore each had three balls at this point in the game.

The Demon Deacons scored the game's first touchdown as they became the first team to score on Clemson in the first quarter this year. The Tigers had outscored their opponents 90-0 in the first quarter in five games.

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to a well-covered Horatio Fields with 1:32 left in the first quarter.

Early in the game, the Tigers had a great offensive trio. Klubnik had thrown for 1,219 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Williams led the Tigers in receptions (19) and receiving yards (280) and touchdowns (4). Running back Phil Mafah had rushed for 496 yards on just 68 carries, an average of 7.3 yards per carry.

But the Tigers were without several players Saturday, including star freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr., who didn't make the trip. Wesco, from Midlothian, Texas, caught 11 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Other players who did not suit up for Clemson included offensive lineman Collin Sadler and defensive tackle Stephiylan Green.

Clemson returns home next Saturday to host Virginia at noon East Coast, a game that will be televised on the ACC Network. The Tigers then receive a bye week, their first since Week 3 of the season. After the bye week, the Tigers face Louisville.

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