RALEIGH, N.C. — Brent Venables was noticeably upset on Saturday, and it had nothing to do with No. 9 Clemson’s 27-21 overtime loss to NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) already came into the contest without defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who is out for seven to eight weeks with a bicep tear. Then it lost linebacker James Skalski and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee to injury during the contest, as well as reserve defensive end Justin Mascoll after he suffered a lower leg injury early in the game.
But when Clemson’s defensive coordinator was asked specifically on what the injuries to Bresee and Skalski meant to his defense, especially in a game where the Wolfpack ran 96 offensive plays, he paused without saying anything for about five seconds.