CLEMSON — Aaron Kelly entered this season on pace to break a Clemson record that was set 57 years ago. At the time it seemed as if Glenn Smith’s career record of 18 touchdown receptions was in jeopardy, especially considering Kelly caught a single season-record 11 in 2007 alone.

With so many weapons surrounding him on the offensive side of the ball, like James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Tyler Grisham and Jacoby Ford, it seemed as if Kelly would not simply pass Smith, but shatter the record.

He only wishes that was the case.

Through the first five games of the season, Kelly has not caught a touchdown pass or even sniffed one for that matter. In fact, the Tigers’ All-ACC wide receiver has only had two or three balls thrown his way in the red zone this season, and none that he can recall since Week 2 or 3.

“I definitely miss being in the end zone,” he said smiling. “That’s a big part of football, and hopefully, I can get in there (tonight).”

Clemson (3-2, 1-1 ACC) hopes so too because it will be needing everyone to make plays as the Tigers travel to No. 21 Wake Forest tonight for a key ACC Atlantic Division showdown. Clemson is in no position to drop another division game after their 20-17 loss to Maryland two weeks ago in Death Valley.

“We have been working on the mistakes that we have been making so that when the opportunities come we can capitalize on them,” Kelly said. “We missed a lot of things, and those things have hurt us.”

And it is especially hurting Kelly’s production – a guy that, at 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, the Tigers were hoping would make another big impact following a junior season which saw him catch a school-record 88 passes for 1,081 yards.

“I think it is still early in the season,” Davis said. “I think Aaron will finish the season strong. He still leads the team in receptions, and he is still near the top in the ACC. A lot of those (catches) come from screens, and I always talk to him about it.

“I tell him he has to have a couple of 100-yard games for us. I think he will be fine.”

A lot of Kelly’s problems are coming in the different coverages teams have been using. He has seen some triple coverage at times, and other times, the safety is playing over the top.

This time last year, the Marietta, Ga., native had 28 receptions for 342 yards and three scores. Heading into tonight’s 7:45 kickoff, he has 25 catches for 253 yards and no touchdowns.

“I’m sure it has been tough, and it is probably frustrating for him,” quarterback Cullen Harper said. “But you know he just has to make the most of his opportunities now when he gets the football. Aaron is a great player, and he still comes out to practice and works hard.

“It’s not like he isn’t the player he was last year, he just isn’t getting the opportunities.”

And getting those opportunities is something the Tigers worked on in the open date and leading up to tonight’s game. Harper said there was a real effort this week by him to stay in the pocket a little longer and trust the offensive line in hopes of giving guys like Kelly, Ford and Grisham time to get open down field.

Clemson’s downfield passing game has been virtually non-existent through the first five games. The Tigers only threw further than 15 yards downfield three times against Maryland with one completed, another intercepted and the other incomplete.

“Anytime we don’t throw the ball downfield more, it is going to hurt everybody,” Harper said. “I’m sure all of those guys want the ball more, and I would like to get them the ball more, but it is something that will come.

“I think as our offensive line gets more comfortable, and they have done a great job this week and they continue to get better week in and week out, then you will see us start to go down the field more.”

Kelly agrees with his quarterback. He believes the passing game will open up in the next few weeks, but until then he says it is his responsibility to do everything he can to make a play when his number is called upon.

“Teamwork is very important, but you also have to look at yourself and say, ‘Okay, it’s time for me to step up and be productive. It’s time for me to make plays,’” he said. “You can’t look to someone else to make the play. You have to look to yourself and say, ‘Hey, I’m the guy who wants to make the plays.’ That’s how I feel. I want to make some plays and help this team win.”

And that’s what he did in the second half of the season last year as he caught 60 passes for 739 yards and eight touchdowns after the fifth game.

“There has been more double coverage this year, but of course they did that some last year. We just have to capitalize more on our opportunities,” Kelly said. “I think that’s what it really is. We have had little breakdowns that have kind of put us behind the chains, and that is making it difficult for our offense to be productive.

“We just have to make more plays. That’s what it boils down to.”