Player Grades: Clemson at Wake Forest

Offense

Wayne Gallman, RB, FR, A+: The Wayne Train tore it up in Winston-Salem, running for 109 yards and a touchdown, and adding 43 receiving yards and a touchdown reception to that. Gallman has been a good back for most of the year, but he really gave some juice to a Clemson offense that has been struggling. His 30 yard touchdown run in there 4th was the final nail in the coffin for the Deacs, while his 2nd quarter touchdown reception gave us our first lead of the night.

Artavis Scott, WR, FR, A+: Another freshman that had a huge game was Artavis Scott. Scott had 8 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 68 yard 4th quarter Touchdown reception was more of  a running play than a reception, but will go down as a pass because Stoudt pitched it forward to Scott, who was coming in motion. The fact that he took it 68 yards for the score was very impressive and also just what Clemson needed after Wake had tied the game up at 20 apiece. It was a very clutch play for the Tigers, and we expect to see more big plays from Scott once Deshaun Watson returns this week.

Offensive Line, D-: Still an ugly performance by the OL. Stoudt was sacked twice and faced constant pressure from a less talented Wake D Line. Clemson also continued to struggle on short yardage plays. It is still concerning that the Tigers can't get enough push up front to be able to line up under center and pick up a yard or 2, but that has been an issue all season, and we've won 7 games despite of that.

Defense

Shaq Lawson ,DE, SO, A: 1.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss for "Sack" Lawson. Another big night for the man from Central. Wake's OL didn't have an answer for him all night, and he continues to show how deep Clemson is on the D Line, and how the Tigers should have talent there for a long time.

Robert Smith, S, SR, B-: Smith had a pretty solid game, but seemed to be out of position on the 2 touchdowns that Wake scored. On the first one, the Tight End was able to find space on the outside, and even though Smith was able to make the tackle, it didn't keep Cam Serigne out of the end zone. On the second touchdown Segrine was able to get by Stephone Anthony, who even held him for a moment, yet Segrine still had enough space for the touchdown. Smith, however, was later victim to one of the worst penalty calls since Vic Beasleys "Superman-throatslash" celebration penalty in the Orange Bowl. Smith laid and absolutely clean, but hard, hit on Segrine in the fourth quarter, but was flagged for targeting. He was ejected after the review and will miss the first half of the Georgia Tech game. Smith led with his shoulder and rattled the ball loose with his bone jarring hit, but there was nothing illegal about it. Smith is a victim of a bad call on a very good hit.

Special Teams

Ammon Lakip, K, JR, A: Lakip, who was subject to criticism earlier this season, has been Clemson's most consistent scoring threat during the period without Watson. Lakip was a perfect 2 for 2 on field goals Thursday night, which helped keep Clemson in the game before the Tigers could finally break away with a fourth quarter surge.