Clemson 36, UNC 28: We really needed this one

Well, we really need them all, don't we? But if we'd have lost this one on the heels of the heartbreaking loss to N.C. State, I don't think we would have recovered. Some positives: a 100-yard rusher, a 100-yard kick return, 3-for-3 on field goals. The negatives: our rushing defense vanished.

Anyway, on to the coverage.

GAME STORIES: "Tigers swat pesky Tar Heels," says The State; "Tigers step on Heels," says the Greenville News; "Tigers get an ugly win," says the Anderson Independent-Mail; "Heels slip up again," says the Raleigh News & Observer.

THE STATS: Here's a complete statistical summary of the game.

OTHER STORIES: The Anderson Independent-Mail's John Braiser says the Tigers were lucky to win. The Greenville News' Bart Wright says much the same, only with more sarcasm. The State looks at running back Duane Coleman's 100-yard day. (More here and here.) The State and the Anderson Independent-Mail both examine Derrick Hamilton's monster day. And the Greenville News looks at the stunned reaction of the Tar Heels to yet another close loss. (That's a shame.)

And finally, The State has its regular post-game features: grading the keys to victory, the quarter-by-quarter highlights, the injury report, and that high five thingee.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Florida State coach Bobby Bowden moved past Joe Paterno to become the winningest Division I coach of all time with a big victory against Wake Forest. The win also assures that the Seminoles will do no worse than tie for the ACC title. N.C. State held off Duke, and Virginia blanked Troy State.

NEW CLEMSON BLOG: Welcome The Clemson Blog. Check it out.