CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Clemson linebacker James Skalski did not sugarcoat Saturday’s 21-20 victory over North Carolina.
“They played great. They outplayed us, I think,” the redshirt junior said. “They had a good plan. They were charged up and they had a really good game.”
Despite holding UNC (2-3, 1-1 ACC) to 290 total yards, Clemson’s defense gave up a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive late in the game, giving the Tar Heels an opportunity to take the lead with 1:17 to play.
But thanks to Skalski, safety Nolan Turner and defensive end Xavier Thomas, Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) stopped UNC quarterback Sam Howell on the 2-point conversion to preserve the win.