No. 5 Clemson defense AWOL at times after hyped offseason

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins (20) knocks down a fourth down pass intended for Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) during the second overtime of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Clemson won 51-45 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

FILE - North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren is shown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. East Carolina will host No. 13 North Carolina State on Saturday to open the season. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney watches a video replay during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry (5) and defensive end Justin Mascoll (7) celebrate after a stop against Louisiana Tech on fourth down during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)