TJ Parker describes the Wolfpack spitting incident, the Tigers respond to trash talk with a big win

The Textile Bowl brings plenty of tension between two conference opponents. The Tigers and the Wolfpack have a history of missed shots, stolen towels and more. In 2024, a new element was added: spit wars.

As the Tigers began to score points, a slugfest broke out between Tré Williams and offensive tackle Anthony Belton.

Depending on who you ask, there are conflicting reports, but the end result was that Belton was sent off for the rest of the game for spitting at Williams.

TJ Parker became Clemson's expert witness in the matter.

After the game ended, Parker said Belton had been agitated beforehand and the moment escalated.

“I knew he was already hot,” Parker said. “It was early in the game. He was trying to fight with somebody, so I knew I was getting sacked and making the play. I knew he was talking crazy stuff. All I needed was for him to hit at me, and he hit at me, and I let him hit me.

“From then on, we know when he had to go. So it's about playing in their head. You make plays and stuff like that, but you don't do stuff like that. So they're already hotheaded. So we did what we had to do and it turned out bad for him.”

NC State head coach Dave Doeren had the opportunity to share his perceptions of the outcome of Saturday's dispute between the rivals.

“I'm disappointed in him,” Doeren said of Belton. “I didn't see what happened beforehand. He said the guy spit on him first and he spit back. Our guys know that if you retaliate, you get the flag. I don't know if that happened or not, and it really doesn't matter if it happened. That's not how we can react. We have to react like mature adults and remove ourselves from the situation. Tell the head coach that that happened. Let me tell the ref and charge the guy for something later in the game. Anthony was disappointed in himself. Of course I was disappointed in him. He'll learn a lot from this, but that's not him, and that was a bad reaction from him.”

Parker told the media that the Wolfpack's trash talk escalated and when the game got out of control, a switch was flipped. Was the second-year defensive end proud to see the Wolfpack go down?

He certainly did.

“Oh, definitely because they expected to win before the game,” Parker said. “They were just talking trash and stuff like that, so there's nothing better than beating them up all game and hearing the trash talk slowly die down and then turn into compliments. I mean, that's how you know you've got them.”

It probably didn't take long for Parker to realize that his first ACC win was incredibly certain.

The Textile Bowl crown returns to Clemson and will remain there until at least 2027.

Parker and the Tiger defense will no doubt enjoy staying at the top of this series for years to come.