CLEMSON — The 17th-ranked Clemson Tigers’ defensive starters shredded NC State’s early offensive efforts last Saturday.
The Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) forced two first-quarter fumbles deep in Wolfpack territory, while allowing only one score off of seven possessions in the first half.
NC State notched only 29 rushing yards on 20 carries before halftime and had just 50 rushing yards at the end of the third quarter.
Defensive back Avieon Terrell played a crucial role in the Tigers prompt takedown. The sophomore was responsible for the second fumble and recovery of the afternoon, the first of his collegiate career.
Terrell ripped the ball from wide receiver Kevin Conception’s care and handed a short-field over to the offense. Running back Phil Mafah ran 38 yards for a touchdown on the next play, giving the Tigers a 28-0 lead at the time.
“It’s perfect,” he said. “The offense gets us lit when they go out there and continue to score. We can’t wait to go back on the field and get their offense off the field so our offense can score more [points]. We love that the offense is going down there and scoring because it just gives us more m omentum.”
Terrell has already made a statement as one of the ACC’s top corners in the first three games of the season, racking up 10 tackles with four pass-breakups in addition to the caused fumble and recovery.
In light of his clear success, the former four-star player was asked to grade his performance so far. While Terrell is pleased with his play, he is not content on giving up just one catch.
“It’s been good, it can be better, I can do better,” he said. “I’ve been giving up that one catch every game. I want to go a game with no catches.”
Terrell’s “no-catch” mindset and success mirrors his big brother AJ Terrell, a current corner for the Atlanta Falcons and former Clemson Tiger.
The Pro-Bowl selection told reporters ahead of the season that “nothing [Avieon] does surprises me…He’s making a name for himself in college football.”
Terrell and the Tigers have another chance to make a name for themselves and extend their record Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN) when the Stanford Cardinal make the cross-country trip to Memorial Stadium.
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