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Harper, Clemson visit NC State for ACC matchup

Sep 22, 2007 - 12:39 PM No. 15 Clemson (3-0) at NC State (1-2), 12:00 pm EDT

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Cullen Harper certainly has looked comfortable running Clemson's offense.

Harper and the 15th-ranked Tigers play their first road game of the season Saturday when they visit North Carolina State in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

A junior who had thrown just 22 passes in his first two seasons, Harper ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency (205.0) after completing 50-of-69 passes for 696 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception through three games.

Last week, Harper went 16-of-19 for 266 yards and three TDs in a 38-10 win over Furman of the Football Championship Subdivision.

The Tigers (3-0, 1-0 ACC Atlantic) won easily even though star running back C.J. Spiller was held to minus-1 rushing yard on nine carries. Clemson actually was outgained on the ground, 142-60.

NC State (1-2, 0-1 Atlantic) opened the season with back-to-back losses to Central Florida and ACC foe Boston College - new coach Tom O'Brien's former team - before getting in the win column with a 38-17 triumph over FCS squad Wofford last week.

Andre Brown ran for 133 yards and three TDs for the Wolfpack, who had lost nine straight games dating to last season.

Clemson has won three in a row in the series, including a 20-14 home triumph last year.