The Palmetto Bowl is underway, and the first half has provided fireworks for both teams. At halftime, the Clemson Tigers lead 17-14 against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Below is an analysis of Clemson’s offensive and defensive first-half performances.
Offense:
— Quarterback Cade Klubnik has provided a spark through the air and on the ground for the Tigers, opening the first drive with a 25-yard completion to wide receiver T.J. Moore. Then, in the second quarter, he recovered his own fumble to beat the defense to the pylon and score his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
— Klubnik has converted multiple third downs, including a 26-yard pass to find Antonio Williams down the sideline and set up halfback Adam Randall for a 10-yard touchdown run to put the first points of the game on the board.
— Clemson’s rushing game has looked explosive. The attack has been led by Randall, who is already up to 68 all-purpose yards on the day on 12 carries. Freshman Gideon Davidson has run the ball eight times for 24 yards to put the Tigers just shy of 100 rushing yards.
— The offense has exploited weak coverage in the South Carolina secondary to capitalize on drives of 85 and 78 yards with touchdowns.
— All of Clemson’s scoring drives have showcased a balanced game plan as the Tigers have moved the ball down the field both through the air and on the ground. The Tigers will look to continue their success through both components of their offense going into the second half.
Defense:
— South Carolina’s drive was cut short midway through the first quarter when defensive back Avieon Terrell delivered a punch to the football, forcing a fumble ultimately recovered by a diving T.J. Parker at the 45-yard line.
— Edge rushers Will Heldt and Stephiylan Green have been able to keep South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers in check on the ground, stifling the dynamic signal caller for negative rushing yardage.
— The Clemson defense could not contain talented Sellers’ arm as he closed the first half with 205 passing yards and two touchdowns in an impressive showing. He completed passing touchdowns of 53 and 74 yards to receivers Nyck Harbor and Vandrevius Jacobs to electrify an offense that has struggled this season.
— Heldt has gotten into the Carolina backfield early and often, tallying three tackles and one sack.
— Despite making some splash plays, the defense has been unable to provide consistent reinforcement. Clemson has recorded only 16 tackles to South Carolina’s 44.
