For the past 34 years (since 1981), the series between NC State
and Clemson has been dubbed the Textile Bowl, as that industry has a major
economic impact on both states and both universities boast renowned textile
colleges.
NC State’s College of Textiles produces more than half of
the textile graduates in the country each year. The North Carolina textile
manufacturers donate money to NC State’s scholarship fund every year in honor
of the Wolfpack’s MVP from the game.
Heading into Saturday’s contest, No. 3 Clemson has won 35 consecutive
games over teams not ranked by the Associated Press, and 33 in a row over teams
not ranked in either the AP or USA Today polls. The last loss by the Tigers to
an unranked team? NC State in 2011. The Wolfpack celebrated its Homecoming that
season with a 37-13 victory over the seventh-ranked Tigers, exploding for 27
unanswered points in the second quarter. The defense forced four turnovers and
tallied six sacks in the game.
Three of the last six times that the Wolfpack has faced a
top 10 team, the team hasn’t been ranked in the top 10 following the game. In
2014, the Wolfpack opened up with a 24-7 lead over No. 1 Florida State and was
within four points entering the fourth quarter before falling 41-56. The Pack
was blown out by No. 2 FSU in Tallahassee in 2013, 17-49, and held tight with
third-ranked Clemson that season, down just six at halftime. Prior to that
three contests, NC State won three in a row versus the top 10 - twice vs. FSU
and once versus the Tigers.
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