Instant halftime analysis: Clemson 17, Wake Forest 17

D.J. Howard carries the ball in first half action Thursday night

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Nov 06 22:19:21 GMT-05:00 2014

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Wake Forest offense has yet to crack the 100-yard mark but two Clemson turnovers led to two Demon Deacon touchdowns and the Tigers had to score a late touchdown as the two teams are tied at 17-17 at halftime at BB&T Field Thursday night.

Two Clemson penalties extended the Deacons’ last drive and they managed to kick a game-tying field goal as time expired.

Player of the half: Defensive end Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
So. Defensive End
#90 6-3, 269
Central, SC
View Full Profile got a lot of early playing time and has 2.5 tackles for loss, five tackles and half a sack. Honorable mention goes to Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile, who has five catches for 45 yards and a score.

Stat of the half: Wake Forest has just 79 total yards – and zero rush yards – and are averaging just 2.3 yards per play but still have 17 points. Their two touchdowns were set up by Clemson turnovers, and the last score came as time expired and was set up by a personal foul penalty. Overall, Wake has 17 rushes for zero yards.

What’s working for the Tigers: The Tigers finally found enough of a vertical passing game to score touchdowns on their last two drives of the half. Quarterback Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile overcame a rocky start and has completed 14-20 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 200
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile has hit both of his kicks – an extra point and a 28-yard field goal in swirling winds for Clemson’s first score.

The defense has limited Wake’s yardage, and the two scores were a result of excellent field position gained by Clemson’s turnovers.

What’s not working for the Tigers: Clemson’s running game hasn’t gotten going. The Tigers have just 26 yards on 15 carries. Reid WebsterReid Webster
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#77 6-3, 300
Woodstock, GA
View Full Profile started at center, but Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 292
Simpsonville, SC
View Full Profile replaced him early in the second quarter and Webster moved back to right guard. It didn’t matter as the right side of Clemson’s offensive line continues to struggle – there have been missed blitz pickups, blockers coming untouched and poor run blocking. The offensive line is a mess right now.

Clemson also had two penalties on the last drive of the half, the last a personal foul penalty on Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile that extended the half by one play. The 15 yards also gave Wake a chance at a 50-yard field goal. Mike Weaver hit the field goal – a career long – to tie the score at 17-17 as time expired.