WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Clemson’s latest experiment with its offensive line didn’t last long.

Junior Cory Lambert — making his first career start at left guard after starting the season’s first five games at tackle — limped off the field midway through the first quarter with a sprained ankle and was replaced by junior Jamarcus Grant and senior Bobby Hutchinson. The Tigers were already starting their fifth different offensive line combination in six games, so Lambert’s injury didn’t help.

When starting right guard Mason Cloy left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury, Hutchinson flipped to right guard and Grant re-entered the game at left guard.

Making matters worse, tailback C.J. Spiller missed the end of the half with a second-quarter leg injury and did not return.

SWANK SITS

Wake Forest senior punter/kicker Sam Swank sat with a strained quad muscle Thursday night. He suffered the injury at practice Monday. Swank was replaced by redshirt freshman Shane Popham, who made his collegiate debut. As a senior at Covington (Ky.) Catholic, Popham set the state record with 18 field goals, including a 57-yard boot. Swank is a Lou Groza Award candidate and Wake’s leading all-time scorer. His loss was felt right away; Wake Forest had a 25-yard field goal try on its first drive, but the snap was low and Popham couldn’t recover, booting a kick well short of the goalpost. He had the first half’s only points on a 22-yard field goal, but missed a 39-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

BOWERS SITS

Freshman defensive end Da’Quan Bowers saw his three-game starting streak snapped when junior Kevin Alexander took his place for the first defensive drive. Bowers had been chastised by coaches for poor effort in practice, although he has been battling through a sprained wrist and bruised ribs.

ZIMMERMAN REAPPEARS

Freshman punter Dawson Zimmerman made his first appearance since the opener against Alabama, booting a 54-yard punt early in the second quarter which was downed by Clemson at the one-yard line. Senior punter Jimmy Maners had punted for the last four games, but Zimmerman had pushed him strongly in practice. Following a low-flying 45-yard Maners punt that hit at the 50 but rolled to the Wake 33, Clemson coaches made the switch.

BLACKOUT

Wake Forest fans gave BB&T Field a most intimidating look with a “blackout,” as Wake Forest fans were encouraged to wear black to the game. Most in the sellout crowd did, with the only exception to the look Clemson’s orange-clad fans behind the Tigers’ sideline.

NOTABLE

Scouts from the Sugar, Chick-fil-A, Orange and Gator Bowls were in attendance Thursday….The game marked Clemson’s first Thursday night game since a 24-7 loss at Virginia Tech in 2006….Three Longbow Apache Attack helicopters performed a flyover before the game. The helicopters are based out of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C…..Forty-two scouts representing 26 of the NFL’s 32 teams were issued credentials for the game.