Clemson vs. N.C. State Football Game Notes

Nov. 3, 2010

Clemson vs. N.C. State Series Notes Overall, Clemson has a 50-27-1 lead in the series against NC State, including an 18-15 lead in Raleigh and a 13-8 lead in games played at Carter Finley Stadium. Clemson has a 21-11 lead in games at Clemson and a 18-11 lead in games in Death Valley.

The series dates to 1899 when Clemson was victorious 24-0 in a game played in Rock Hill, SC. That was just the fourth year of Clemson football and the 16th game in the school’s history.

Eight of the last 13 games have been decided by eight points or less, but Clemson has won by at least 18 points each of the last three years, 42-20 in 2007 in Raleigh, 27-9 in 2008, and 43-23 last year in Raleigh.

The 2004 game at Clemson was decided on the last play of the game when Charles Bennett made an interception at the goal line. The 2006 game was a 20-14 Clemson win. NC State drove to the Clemson 30-yard-line before freshman Ricky Sapp recorded a sack on the last play.

NC State was Clemson’s nemesis team from 1986-88. The Tigers won the ACC Championship each year under Danny Ford, but never beat the Pack in the process, losing all three seasons. It was the only loss for Clemson in the ACC in each of those years.

Clemson has won six straight games in the series, the longest winning streak by the Tigers in the history of the series. NC State’s longest winning streak in the series is six (1971-76). So, a Clemson victory today would be the longest winning streak for either team in the series.

Clemson’s current six-game winning streak over NC State is its longest active winning streak over any league foe and the longest by the Tigers against an ACC opponent since it won eight in a row over Maryland from 1993-2000.

The 2008 Clemson victory over NC State proved to be Tommy Bowden’s last win over an ACC team in his Clemson career.

The two schools meet in what has been called the Textile Bowl since 1981. There is a trophy presented after the game to the winning team in its locker room. Clemson has a 20-9 lead in the series in Textile Bowl games.

Clemson earned its 50th all-time win over NC State last year. The 50 wins Clemson rank third most by the Tigers against all opponents. Clemson has beaten South Carolina the most with 65 wins (65-38-4), followed by Wake Forest (57-17-1). NC State is next at 50-27-1. Furman is the only other team Clemson has beaten more than 40 times. The Tigers are 41-10-4 against the Paladins lifetime.

Tale of Two Quarterbacks Much of the pregame talk about this contest has centered around the two quarterbacks. And rightfully so because it is a unique meeting of quarterbacks who have also been drafted by the same Major League Baseball team. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker was the first round selection of the Colorado Rockies last June and NC State signal caller Russell Wilson was selected by the same franchise in the fourth round.

Both players decided to come back to school to play at least another season of college football. Wilson is a red-shirt junior in terms of football eligibility and Parker is a red-shirt sophomore in terms of football age. Wilson began his professional baseball career this past summer, while Parker is yet to play a professional baseball game.

Both players have had outstanding college careers in both sports. Parker helped the Clemson baseball team to the College World Series last year and a number-four national ranking. He became the first athlete in Division I history to hit 20 home runs and thrown 20 touchdown passes in the same academic year. His 20 home runs last year led the Clemson baseball team. His 20 touchdown passes rank fourth best in school history for one season.

Parker ranks in the top 10 in Clemson history in both touchdown passes and home runs, the only ACC athlete to rank in the top 10 in both categories. He has 46 career home runs to rank eighth on the list and his 28 touchdown passes rank in a tie for fifth in Clemson history. He has a 13-9 record as a starting quarterback.

Parker completed 12-18 passes for 183 yards and two scores against NC State to lead Clemson to victory. His 188.8 passing efficiency for that game is the best of his Clemson career.

Wilson is among the best quarterbacks in NC State history. He has thrown 67 career touchdown passes, second in school history behind only Philip Rivers, who threw 95 between 2000-03. Wilson is among the best in ACC history terms of not throwing interceptions. In 2008 when he was the first team All-ACC quarterback as a freshman, he threw just one interception in 275 attempts. That only interception came at Clemson.

On the baseball field, Wilson has been an all-around performer as an outfielder and a pitcher. He has a .282 career batting average to go with five homes and nine doubles.

Last March, Wilson came into pitch against Clemson in a relief stint and one of the players he faced was Parker. Parker earned a walk. That is the only time they have faced each other in a pitcher/batter situation.

Saturday’s matchup of quarterbacks is probably the most celebrated since 1984 when Virginia Tech with defensive lineman Bruce Smith, came to Clemson to face the Tigers and middle guard William Perry. Both were first team All-Americans that year.

Both Perry and Smith had strong games. William had eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, while Smith had 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss. The star lineman of the game that day was actually Michael Dean Perry, then a freshman. William’s brother finished the game with 10 tackles and three tackles for loss to lead Clemson to a 17-10 victory.

Tickets are now available at a discount for Clemson’s home game against N.C. State on November 6 at 12:00 PM. Adult tickets are $24 each and youth tickets (18 and under) are $10 each for the game against the Wolfpack. Tickets may be purchased online at ClemsonTigers.com or by phone at 1-800-CLEMSON.

Click here to purchase tickets.