Paws Up: Offensive Balance/Passing game
Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks was one of the Tigers’ best of the season when it came to the offensive side of the ball.
In most games, Clemson’s offense would emphasize either the pass or the run, at the expense of offensive balance. If the team found that airing out the ball was working, that usually meant that the run would suffer; if the offense decided to focus on rushing the ball, pass plays would take a backseat. Against South Carolina though, the Tigers blended the two perfectly.
Clemson’s offense racked up 744 total yards, with 393 of those coming from the pass and 351 coming from the run.
Trevor Lawrence had a vintage game and threw for more yards than any Clemson quarterback in the history of the Palmetto Bowl rivalry.
Lawrence benefited from excellent offensive line play that was crucial not only in providing Lawrence with clean pockets from which to throw, but also in creating gaps for running backs to flourish.
Lawrence has developed incredible rapports with many of his receivers, especially Tee Higgins as evidenced in the fourth quarter. Once Lawrence took the snap, he immediately started eyeing Higgins and his matchup. Higgins hadn’t even created separation from his defender by the time Lawrence released the ball, but by the time the ball arrived, Higgins was a few steps ahead of his defender and had plenty of room to secure the catch.
The trust required on the play is exceptional. Lawrence saw that Higgins had not yet created space for himself, but trusted him to do so in just the time that it takes for the ball to travel from Lawrence’s hand to Higgins’ position.
Paws Up: Offensive Balance/Run Game
As great as the passing game was, the performances by Clemson’s running backs were every bit as good.
Clemson’s running backs accounted for seven of the team’s eight touchdowns on Saturday, as Adam Choice tallied three, Travis Etienne accounted for two and Tavien Feaster contributed one as well. Even defensive tackle Christian Wilkins scored a rushing touchdown with an acrobatic flip over the goal line.
Etienne’s two touchdowns propelled him into the record books, becoming the first Clemson running back to score 18 rushing touchdowns in a single season. He accompanied this achievement with 150 rushing yards.
Clemson’s depth at running back has become a focal point and a valuable strength as they face different kinds of coverages and defensive schemes. Some games, it might be Etienne rushing for over 200 yards. Other days, it might be Lyn-J Dixon breaking off 50-yard touchdowns like they’re nothing. As long as the offensive line can stay healthy and continue to play at a high level, the Tigers will have a distinct edge on the ground.
Paws Down: Defensive Secondary
What else is there to talk about?
After Texas A&M posted 430 passing yards on the Tigers in the second game of the season, serious questions arose about the state of Clemson’s secondary. In the games following the victory over Texas A&M, Clemson’s defensive backs began to improve and suggested that Clemson’s staunch defensive identity was still intact.
Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks cast some doubt on that claim.
South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley threw for 510 yards, becoming South Carolina’s all-time leader in passing yards for a single game. He threw five touchdowns and one interception, hooking up with receiver Deebo Samuel for 210 yards.
Bentley carved up the Clemson secondary like a Thanksgiving turkey. And it wasn’t like Bentley had an exceptional reputation heading into the game; there have been questions about his ability to perform in big games all year.
Clemson’s defensive line did well to stop the run (only 90 yards given up on the ground) and create pressure on the quarterback (three sacks on the night), but Bentley was calm and collected despite overwhelming moments of pressure. He got rid of the ball quickly and accurately, making some spectacular throws across his body and downfield.
During the game, South Carolina’s receivers seemed to get open at will, especially over the middle of the field and in the flat near the sidelines. Clemson defensive back K’Von Wallace had an especially tough game, repeatedly giving up inside position to receivers coming over the middle of the field.
The defense gave up not just one, but two home run plays to the South Carolina offense. Bentley connected with receiver Kiel Pollard in the second quarter for a 67-yard touchdown after Clemson safety Tanner Muse whiffed trying to knock the ball down. Muse would have been in position to tackle Pollard had he not over extended himself on the attempt to bat down the pass.
On South Carolina’s next drive, Bentley found Samuel on the first play of the drive, who then took the pass 75-yards for a touchdown. Samuel turned on the jets and just outran K’Von Wallace to get open, leading to the easy score.
Perhaps the only solace that Clemson can take in this defensive performance is the fact that the secondary played as badly as they had all year and Bentley played about as good of a game as he possibly could have, and the Tigers still won comfortably. The offense is so good and the defensive front is so effective that even in a game where the defense gives up 600 total yards, the outcome was never really in any doubt.
That is not to say that Clemson should make it a habit of giving up so many yards. Doing so against a playoff-caliber team is asking for trouble and defensive coordinator Brent Venables knows so. Venables is perhaps the best coordinator in the country and will hopefully have the defense shored up as they gear up for a probable playoff run.
