Ranking Dabo’s wins: 18

A road win at N.C. State would bring Clemson another step closer to its first trip to the ACC Championship game.

18.) Nov. 14, 2009

Clemson 43 N.C. State 23

What happened
After the game, Dabo Swinney called it the offense’s most “complete, efficient” performance of the season. Clemson punted just three times and didn’t commit a turnover.

Kyle Parker completed 12 of 18 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. His scoring throws included a five-yard hook up with Michael Palmer and a 34 yarder to C.J. Spiller, who also threw a touchdown pass, a 17-yard strike to Xavier Dye.

The Tigers racked up 254 yards on the ground and had scoring runs from Jacoby Ford, Jamie Harper and Spiller.

Michael Palmer scored on a five-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Parker.

N.C. State spotted Clemson 17 points to start the game before Russell Wilson took charge and led the Wolfpack’s comeback effort. A pair of touchdown passes cut the lead to 17-14, including one on the opening drive of the second half.

Wilson finished 12 of 32 for 183 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 25 yards.

The stakes
Clemson controlled its own destiny in the Atlantic Division title race. With a win over N.C. State and an upset win by Virginia over Boston College, Clemson would have been celebrating its first division title in school history.

The Tigers held up their end of the bargain, but had to wait one more week before claiming the ACC Atlantic since the Cavaliers were unable to pull the upset in Charlottesville.

Before and After
The win was No. 5 in a row for Clemson, which started the season at 2-3. The Tigers would go on to win No. 6 the following week on Senior Day against Virginia.

With their place in the ACC Championship game, Clemson lost 34-17 to South Carolina. Clemson would go on to lose to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game, but won the Music City Bowl over Kentucky, 21-13.