No. 2 Clemson tops Wake Forest 28-14 as Bryant injured

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant threw for 200 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an ankle injury as the second-ranked Tigers defeated Wake Forest 28-14 on Saturday to move to 6-0 for a third straight season.

There was no immediate word on the severity of Bryant's injury. He left the game in the third quarter after Travis Etienne's 1-yard touchdown run put Clemson ahead 21-0. Trainers looked at Bryant's ankle and took him into the sideline medical tent. Bryant tested his legs with a few short jogs once he came out and remained on the sidelines with teammates. Bryant did not re-enter the game as Clemson (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat the Demon Deacons (4-2, 1-2) for a ninth straight time.

Bryant, smiling, walked in a black, protective boot - complete with an orange Tiger paw logo - around his left ankle. "Got the win so I'm, great," Bryant said with a smile.

He said he got hit on his ankle. Bryant said he'll be in treatment all week to prepare for Syracuse on Friday night.

Bryant's 28-yard scoring pass to Deon Cain got the Tigers started. Etienne, a freshman, had 67 yards rushing along with his touchdown. Adam Choice added a rushing TD and Cannon Smith added a 13-yard touchdown catch from third-string passer Hunter Johnson.

Clemson's defense continued to show why it's among the country's best. The Tigers held Wake Forest scoreless the 51 minutes until Scotty Washington's 16-yard touchdown catch spoiled the shutout. Clemson has held opponents scoreless in 15 of 24 quarters this season.

Wake Forest fell to 0-22 against opponents who entered 5-0 or better.

"We've still got to execute at a high level," Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. "I don't like to use this as a measuring stick. It's a one week season and we didn't measure up this week."

Clemson looked like it might crush the Demon Deacons its first two drives went for quick and easy touchdowns in the game's opening nine minutes. The Tigers, though, managed only 134 yards the rest of the half. No matter, as Clemson's defense did what it usually does and kept the Demon Deacons in check most of the way.

"I think everyone's buying in, committing to the grind," Clemson linebacker Dorian O'Daniel said. "We're far from perfect and we're far from where we can be as far as our potential."

THE TAKEAWAY

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are certainly improved, but not yet ready to take down the Tigers. Wake Forest failed on several key chances to make things closer as normally reliable Mike Weaver (he opened the season 10-of-10 on field goals) missed two against the Tigers.

Clemson: The Tigers' offense has been tailored to Bryant's penchant to run and its strong quartet of running backs. If Bryant's injury is significant, Clemson might have to open things up with strong armed backups Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

It's looking more and more like a two-team race to the national championship game once more. Clemson is a solid No. 2 behind top-ranked Alabama and has a defense that can withstand problems and changes on offense.

INJURIES

Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford did not play because of a left shoulder injury. Sophomore Kendall Hinton opened the game for the Demon Deacons. Hinton started three games previous in his college career.

UP NEXT

Wake Forest takes next week off before heading to Georgia Tech on Oct. 21.

Clemson has a short week as it goes to Syracuse on Friday night.

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