Dec. 28
Music City Bowl
Kentucky 28 ... Clemson 20
A fired up Kentucky team scored 21 straight points on three
Andre Woodson touchdown passes with a 70-yard play to DeMoreo
Ford, sparked by a little trickery on a fake punt on the
previous play, a 24-yard pass to Dicky Lyons, and a 13-yard pass
to Jacob Tamme for a 28-6 lead it was able to hold on to deep
into the fourth quarter. Clemson's offense struggled for about
50 minutes only managing a 32-yard touchdown catch from Durrell
Barry until Will Proctor threw the second of three touchdown
passes on the day on a 17-yard play with 7:25 remaining. In a
mad scramble, the Tigers were able to go 74 yards in eight plays
finishing with a 17-yard touchdown catch from Aaron Kelly,
followed up by a two-point conversion, to pull within eight with
less than a minute remaining.
Player of the game ...
Kentucky QB Andre
Woodson completed 20 of 28 passes for 299 yards and three
touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor, 23-39, 272
yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, 8-53 Receiving: Aaron Kelly, 6-66, 1
TD
Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 20-28, 299
yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Rafael Little, 17-54 Receiving: Keenan Burton, 5-30
Notes & Thoughts ... Kentucky had the fan base and the
fire, while Clemson appeared to be going through the motions for
way too long. The Tigers were outplayed and outcoached as Rich
Brooks and his staff pulled out all the stops, and QB Andre
Woodson was terrific. He didn't make the mistakes needed to get
Clemson back into the game early, and he showed to a national
audience, and to all the scouts, how he can make all the throws.
... Where was the Clemson offensive line? UK's defense has been
pushed around all season long, but the Tigers never got the
running game on track, and all but abandoned it when things
started to go south. Had Clemson been patient, stuck with the
ground attack, and pounded, pounded, pounded, it would've worked
well late. As Arkansas can attest to, sometimes the best home
runs come from the backs, and James Davis and C.J. Spiller can
certainly tear off yards in chunks. When QB Will Proctor gets
the most carries and Davis and Spiller combine for 13, things
aren't working.
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction: 10-2
2006 Record:
8-5
Preview 2006 predicted wins |
| 9/2 |
Florida Atlantic
W 54-6 |
| 9/9 |
at Bost Coll
L 34-33 OT |
| 9/16 |
at Florida State W 27-20 |
| 9/23 |
North Carolina
W 52-7 |
|
9/30 |
Louisiana Tech
W 51-0 |
| 10/7 |
at Wake Forest
W 27-17 |
| 10/14 |
at Temple
W 63-9 |
| 10/21 |
Georgia Tech
W 31-7 |
| 10/26 |
at Virginia Tech L 24-7 |
| 11/4 |
Maryland
L 13-12 |
|
11/11 |
NC State
W 20-14 |
| 11/25 |
South Carolina
L 31-28 |
| 12/28 |
Music City Bowl
Kentucky L 28-20 |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
6-5
2005 Record:
8-4
Preview 2005 predicted wins |
| 9/3 |
Texas A&M
W 25-24 |
| 9/10 |
at Maryland
W 28-24 |
| 9/17 |
Miami L 36-30 3OT |
| 9/24 |
Boston Coll
L 16-13 OT |
| 10/1 |
at Wake Forest L 31-27 |
| 10/13 |
at NC State W 31-10 |
| 10/22 |
Temple
W 37-7 |
| 10/29 |
at Georgia Tech L 10-9 |
| 11/5 |
Duke
W 49-20 |
| 11/12 |
Florida State W 35-14 |
| 11/19 |
at So Carolina
W 13-9 |
| 12/27 |
Champs Sports Bowl
Colorado W 19-10 |
|
Nov. 25
South Carolina 31 ... Clemson 28
South Carolina scored the last 14
points of the game and held on as Clemson's Jad Dean missed a
39-yard field goal with 13 seconds to plays. Mike Davis ran for
two third quarter scores and Ryan Succop nailed a 35-yard field
goal after Clemson connected on several big scoring plays.
Jacoby Ford started off the scoring with a 76-yard touchdown
catch for the Tigers and C.J. Spiller ran for scores from 80 and
31 yards while the defense picked off Blake Mitchell three times
early taking one for a score. But Mitchell settled down and was
almost flawless in the second half.
Player of the game ... South Carolina LB Jasper
Brinkley made ten tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 13-19, 191 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: C.J. Spiller, 10-155, 2 TD Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 4-47
South Carolina - Passing:
Blake Mitchell, 23-36, 268 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Mike Davis, 12-69, 2 TD. Receiving: Sidney
Rice, 8-103
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Clemson
got the big plays against South Carolina, got the running game,
and got the turnovers, but it couldn't get the field goal to tie
it up late and didn't do nearly enough on either side of the
ball in the second half to put the game away. Most frustrating
was how almost everything went right, and it was still a loss.
After losing three of the final games, the luster quickly came
off one of the ACC hottest teams, but with a back like C.J.
Spiller, the offense has the explosion to hang with anyone in a
bowl game. Oddly enough, James Davis was nowhere to be found for
the second straight week.
Nov. 11
Clemson 20 ... NC State 14
C.J. Spiller ran for a 52-yard
touchdown and Jad Dean hit two fourth quarter field goals, but
Clemson had to hold on. NC State had its chances late, but a
Daniel Evans pass was tipped and intercepted by Nick Watkins to
snuff out one drive, and the final shot was stopped after a pass
to Lamart Barrett in the end zone was ruled out of bounds. On
the last play, Evans was sacked to preserve Clemson's win. The
Wolfpack got all its points in the third quarter on a one-yard
Toney Baker run and a 34-yard interception return for a score
from Willie Baker.
Player of the game ... Clemson RB C.J. Spiller ran 18
times for 154 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 15-24, 146 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: C.J. Spiller, 18-154, 1 TD Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 5-72
NC State - Passing:
Daniel Evans, 10-24, 95 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Toney Baker, 34-174, 1 TD. Receiving: John
Dunlap, 3-42
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Clemson
isn't quite getting the consistent push from the offensive line
it had earlier in the season. Outside of a big C.J. Spiller
touchdown run in the first quarter against NC State, there
wasn't nearly enough pop throughout the game; James Davis never
got going. It's important to find ways to win when everything
isn't going well, but this game marks the third straight week
the team wasn't at its best. With South Carolina up next, the
offense has to be sharper, especially on third downs.
Nov. 4
Maryland 13 ... Clemson 12
Maryland upset Clemson with a Dan
Ennis 31-yard field goal as time ran out to stay in the hunt for
the Atlantic Division title. Two big calls shaped the games as
Clemson RB C.J. Spiller ran down a fumble and was tackled close
to the end zone, but after it officially being ruled a safety,
it was determined that he was down at the one. Two plays later,
QB Will Proctor connected with Thomas Hunter for a 71-yard play
which led to an apparent James Davis touchdown run, but that was
killed by an illegal procedure penalty. Jad Dean kicked his
fourth field goal of the game hitting from 22 yards out with
just over two minutes to play leaving the door open for the
Terps. Maryland got a seven-yard touchdown catch from Danny
Oquendo in the second quarter.
Player of the game ... Maryland QB Sam Hollenbach
completed 23 of 34 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown with an
interception
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 18-27, 251 yds
Rushing: James Davis, 20-90 Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 8-129
Maryland - Passing:
Sam Hollenbach, 23-34, 247 yds, 1
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 10-38. Receiving: Joey
Haynos, 6-52
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Clemson wasn't able to convert
drives into touchdowns against Maryland settling for four field
goals, and that kept the game alive. Chansi Stuckey showed what
a difference maker he is for the offense with a great day, and
Will Proctor had a nice game, but if James Davis and C.J.
Spiller aren't rolling, the offense isn't humming. Even though
ACC title dreams are completely shattered, winning the last two
games against NC State and South Carolina would put the Tigers
in range for a ten-win season.
Oct. 26
Virginia Tech 24 ... Clemson 7
Virginia Tech RB Branden Ore ran for 203 yards and two scores
while the defense held Clemson to just 166 yards of total
offense in the stunning win. The Tigers scored first getting a
good early drive finishing with a six-yard James Davis run, and
then Tech turned it on with Sean Glennon getting into the end
zone after Ore dove down to the six-inch line, Brandon Pace
hitting a 37-yard field goal, and Ore running it in from 11 and
three yards out. The Hokie D allowed 76 yards over the final
three quarters.
Player of the
game ...
Virginia Tech RB Branden Ore ran 37 times for 203 yards and two
touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor,
11-28, 86 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, C.J. Spiller, 10-41 Receiving:
Tyler Grisham, 3-34
Virginia Tech - Passing: Sean Glennon,
9-15, 108 yds
Rushing: Branden Ore, 37-203, 2 TD Receiving:
Sam Wheeler, 1-41
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Clemson
appeared to be shell-shocked by the Virginia Tech atmosphere and
by how physical the Hokies were on both sides of the ball. It
was almost like the the coaching staff was waiting for the Tiger
running game to take over and break off the big home runs that
James Davis and C.J. Spiller came up with all season long, but
the Hokie defense wasn't going to let them happen. On offense,
Will Proctor didn't throw anything more than a few yards down
the field, didn't take any chances, and didn't do anything to
loosen up the defensive back seven.
Oct. 21
Clemson 31 ... Georgia Tech 7
Clemson pulled off a shocker running for 321 yards on the
normally stout Georgia Tech defense and getting beaten for three
second half home runs. C.J. Spiller ripped off a 50-yard
touchdown at the end of the third quarter to go up 17-0, and
then the Yellow Jackets came up with their best drive of the
night capped off with a brilliant 35-yard touchdown catch from
James Johnson. Spiller answered with a brilliant 50-yard score
taking a short pass and making two defenders grasp for air on
the way to the end zone. James Davis capped off a big day with a
five-yard scoring run. Georgia Tech star receiver Calvin Johnson
was held without a catch.
Player of the
game ...
Clemson RB James
Davis ran 21 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns and C.J.
Spiller ran 16 times for 116 yards and a score and caught one
pass for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor,
7-16, 105 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, 21-216, 2 TD Receiving:
Tyler Grisham, 2-25
Georgia Tech - Passing: Reggie Ball, 12-25,
117 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tashard Choice, 15-48 Receiving:
James Johnson,
7-75, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Talk
about your statement game. Clemson was oh-my-goodness good
against Georgia Tech with a great defensive game plan to shut
down Calvin Johnson, and a fantastic game from C.J. Spiller and
James Davis coming up with the national coming out party for
these two. Does this game make Clemson the favorite for the ACC
title? Absolutely, but it's a short week before the road trip to
Virginia Tech. Another performance like the one against the
Yellow Jackets and it might be time to think about the Tigers in
national title terms.
Oct. 12
Clemson 63 ... Temple 9
Clemson had few problems rolling for 559 yards of total
offense with James Davis running for three touchdowns in the
first half, including a 64-yard dash in the second quarter, and
closing out with a 55-yard touchdown grab from Jacoby Ford.
Temple opened the scoring with a 27-yard Jake Brownell field
goal and stopped the 63-point Tiger run with a 30-yard Steve
Maneri scoring grab. Clemson DE Gaines Adams came up with a sack
in his fifth straight game.
Player of the
game ...
Clemson RB James
Davis ran nine times for 138 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor,
8-9, 151 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Davis, 9-138, 3 TD Receiving:
Jacoby Ford, 3-67, 1 TD
Temple - Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 13-25,
110 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Tim Brown, 23-121 Receiving: Mike
Holley, 3-37
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
Temple game couldn't have been more perfect for Clemson with an
easy blowout, all the starters getting in a good scrimmage, and
then getting out injury-free. As if Clemson didn't already know,
the running game is explosive with James Davis once again
showing that he just needs a little bit of room to tear off a
big run. Cullen Harper was sharp in a backup quarterback role
and Demerick Chancellor got to be a workhorse to give Davis a
rest. Now all the focus can be just on Georgia Tech in what
might be the ACC title preview.
Oct. 7
Clemson 27 ... Wake Forest 17
Wake Forest started off hot with a 17-3 lead with a six-yard
Willie Idlette touchdown catch and a trick play 19-yard
touchdown throw from Nate Morton to QB Riley Skinner, but
Clemson came through with the big plays needed to win the game.
The Tigers forced a fumble deep in their own territory after a
huge Wake Forest return off the opening kickoff of the game, and
Gaines Adams returned a muffed field goal attempt 66 yards for a score. C.J. Spiller gave Clemson the lead for good on a 72-yard
touchdown run as part of a 24 point fourth quarter run.
Player of the
game ...
Clemson DE
Gaines Adams made six tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks,
and returned a fumble for a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor,
20-30, 214 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: C.J. Spiller, 9-104, 1 TD Receiving:
Aaron Kelly, 5-91, 1 TD
Wake Forest - Passing: Riley Skinner, 18-23,
169 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kevin Harris, 12-51, 1 TD Receiving: Nate
Morton, 4-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Give Clemson credit for finding a
way to beat Wake Forest even when nothing was going quite right.
Will Proctor was throwing interceptions, the running game
couldn't come up with the big play, and the overall momentum was
all the Demon Deacons' way. And then the team blew up in the
fourth quarter helped by the Wake Forest botched field goal and
was punctuated by C.J. Spiller's big run. The offensive line did
a great job of controlling the game when things weren't quite
clicking. Now comes the Temple game to give the starters some
rest before the Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech stretch.
Sept. 30
Clemson 51 ... Louisiana Tech 0
Clemson outrushed Louisiana Tech 393 yards to 33 with James
Davis, C.J. Spiller, and Demerick Chancellor each rushing for over 100
yards. David started out the scoring on a 64-yard dash, and later added
a four-yard scoring run in the second quarter. The passing game got into
the act with a 34-yard touchdown grab from Chansi Stuckey on the first
play after one of Tech's five turnovers. The second half didn't start
out any better for the Bulldogs as Jacoby Ford took the opening kickoff
94 yards for a touchdown. Just over a minute later, Nick Watkins picked
off a pass for a 26-yard score. Tech was able to force three turnovers,
but didn't get anything out of them.
Player of the game ... Clemson RB James Davis ran 11
times for 143 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 5-8, 100 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: James Davis, 11-143, 2 TD. Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 4-100, 1 TD
Louisiana Tech - Passing: Zac Champion,
20-35, 194 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Daniel Porter, 10-58. Receiving: Eric
Newman, 9-101
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Everything's humming for the Tigers at just the right time beating
Louisiana Tech and North Carolina by a combined score of 103 to 7 over
the last two weeks. If they can get past a hot Wake Forest team next
week, they'll be 6-1 (Temple comes after) before Georgia Tech and a road
trip to Virginia Tech make-or-break the ACC title hopes. The running
game is fantastic, with James Davis and the backs sure to get all the
credit, but the offensive line deserves attention; it's playing
extremely well. Now the passing game just needs a little fine tuning. If
Will Proctor can start bombing away with any consistency, the offense
won't be stopped.
Sept. 23
Clemson 52 ... North Carolina 7
Clemson's James Davis ran for four touchdowns and 96 of the
team's 327 rushing yards on the way to the blowout win. The Tigers
jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead on two Davis one-yard scoring
runs and a seven-yard dash from C.J. Spiller. North Carolina's offense
went nowhere, but it was the run defense that was the issue from start
to third quarter as Clemson finished with seven rushing touchdowns on
the way to a 52-0 lead. Cam Sexton ran for a four-yard touchdown in the
fourth quarter for North Carolina's only points.
Player of the game ... Clemson RB James Davis ran 14
times for 95 yards and four touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 9-14, 134 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, 14-95, 4 TD. Receiving:
Demerick Chancellor, 3-29
North Carolina - Passing: Cam Sexton,
7-22, 95 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Ronnie McGill, 11-50. Receiving: Jesse
Holley, 3-43
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Clemson
really came out flat after the big win over Florida State ... yeesh! The
Tiger offensive line dominated North Carolina from the start, while
James Davis and C.J. Spiller ripped off enough good-sized gains to keep
things moving. The most amazing part about the 327-yard rushing day was
that CU didn't really have any huge runs. This was done in a methodical,
pounding way that took all the pressure off Will Proctor and took the
Tar Heels out of the game right off the bat. With Louisiana Tech, Wake
Forest and Temple ahead before Georgia Tech, 6-1 has to be expected.
Sept. 16
Clemson 27 ... Florida State 20
Clemson's James Davis ripped off a 47-yard run on the game's
final drive to set up his one-yard touchdown run with eight
seconds left to shock the Noles. Florida State's offense was
anemic cranking out a mere 204 total yards, but the game stayed
close thanks to special teams with Tony Carter returning a
blocked extra point for two points and a blocked field goal for
a touchdown in the first half. Will Proctor threw a touchdown
pass and ran for another to put the Tigers up 20-9 early in the
fourth quarter, but FSU came back on a 25- yard Gary Cismesia
field goal and a one-yard Joe Surratt touchdown run.
Player of the game ... Clemson QB WIll Proctor
completed 16 of 30 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown and ran
15 yards for a score.
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Will
Proctor, 16-30, 194 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: James Davis, 19-87, 2 TD. Receiving:
Aaron Kelly, 5-51
Florida State - Passing: Drew
Weatherford, 11-19, 102 yds
Rushing: Lorenzo Booker, 10-45. Receiving: DeCody Fagg,
4-34
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
How mentally tough is this
Clemson team? It loses some of its top defenders, yet holds
Florida State to 204 yards. It comes off the tough overtime loss
to Boston College, yet is focused and sharp in a hostile
environment. FSU somehow stays in the game on a few miraculous
special teams plays, but the Tiger offense, thanks to James
Davis, finds a way to get the job done on a final drive. This
team is the real deal and got itself right back in the ACC title
hunt. However, it'll all fall apart if the kicking game doesn't
come around. Special teams cost the Tigers the BC game, and it
allowed FSU to stay alive.
Sept. 9
Boston College 34 ... Clemson 33 2OT
In what's sure to be remembers as one of the best games of the
season, Boston College got a blocked extra point from Jolonn
Dunbar in the second overtime and then won it on a six-yard
touchdown run from L.V. Whitworth and an Ryan Ohliger extra
point. Will Proctor threw two touchdown passes including one on
a short throw to C.J. Spiller who took it 82 yards for a score
in the second quarter to put the Tigers up 17-7. Jeff Smith kept
the Eagles in the game with three long kick returns highlighted
by a 96-yard return for a score to open the second half and tie
it at 17. Clemson took the lead in the fourth quarter on a
one-yard James Davis scoring run, but BC was able to answer
with less than five minutes to play on a one-yard Matt Ryan
touchdown run following a Clemson interception that was called
back after a review. The two traded field goals in the first
overtime, and then Davis ran it in from a yard out before the
fateful extra point attempt.
Player of the game ... Boston College kickoff returner
Jeff Smith returned five kicks for 213 yards and a touchdown. He
also caught a pass for seven yards.
Stat Leaders: Boston College - Passing:
Matt Ryan, 22-38, 212 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: L.V. Whitworth, 19-78, 1 TD. Receiving:
Kevin Challenger, 6-73, 1 TD
Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor, 25-40,
343 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Davis, 24-93, 2 TD. Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 11-124
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... It's not
over. Clemson has to quickly dismiss the heartbreak and pain of
the overtime loss at Boston College and fully focus on beating
Florida State or else the ACC title hopes will be kaput. The
team didn't play poorly against the Eagles; it simply had a hard
time coming up with the game-changing play late. Will Proctor
was magnificent in moving the Tiger offense, and James Davis had
a nice game running the ball. However, it's a shame the Tigers
have suffered injuries in the linebacking corps. BC wouldn't
have run like it did if Anthony Waters was playing.
Sept. 2
Clemson 54 ... Florida Atlantic 6
Clemson didn't come out sharp, but it didn't matter as QB Will
Proctor settled down and threw three touchdown passes including
two in the first half on the way to a 24-0 lead. FAU managed two
Warley Leroy field goals to start the second half, but the
Clemson offense cranked it back up scoring 30 unanswered points
finished off by a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown from
Jacoby Ford and a 31-yard fumble return for a score from Sergio
Gilliam.
Player of the game ... Clemson QB Will Proctor
completed 13 of 20 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns
with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Florida Atlantic - Passing:
Sean Clayton, 11-22, 112, 1 INT
Rushing: Charles Pierre, 8-31. Receiving:
Frantz SImeon, 3-28
Clemson - Passing: Will Proctor, 13-20,
166 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Davis, 14-94, 1 TD. Receiving:
Chansi Stuckey, 5-66, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
Florida Atlantic win is why you start out the season with a
cupcake. Against a great team, Clemson's early jitters and
problems might have proven costly, but QB Will Proctor settled
down and played extremely well. With road trips against Boston
College and Florida State coming up, the attack has to remain
balanced and the run defense needs to be close to as stout as it
was against the Owls allowing just 47 yards. That'll be hard to
do if LB Anthony Waters' knee injury keeps him out.
2006 Clemson Preview
Clemson Preview |
Offense |
Defense
| Depth
Chart | Further
Analysis
The drama is over, and now Clemson is on the verge of
being a powerhouse again like it hasn't been since the late 1980s.
After head coach Tommy Bowden hung on to his job by the skin of his
teeth, he has turned the team from being a decent ACC fly in the
ointment to a real, live contender for the crown. The overall
athleticism and talent level is there to beat anyone in the country,
and now the experience is in place to be more consistent and win all
the close games.
How close did the 2005 Tigers come from being really
special? 14 points. They lost to Miami in three overtimes, lost to
Boston College in overtime, lost at Wake Forest with :33 to play,
and lost to Georgia Tech after being one play from getting into
game-winning field goal range. In all, Clemson played seven games
decided by seven points or fewer, but this year's team might be good
enough to avoid all the close calls.
Clemson is in a great
position to not only do great things this year, but to also be solid for
years to come with a ton of productive and talented sophomores at just
about every position mixing in with a strong group of veterans. The
offensive line gets everyone back, the backfield has four good running
backs, the receiving corps gets Chansi Stuckey and Aaron Kelly back, and
the defense has two potential NFL first rounders in end Gaines Adams and
linebacker Anthony Waters to build around. Throw in one of the nation's
best kickers, Jad Dean, and the mix is just right to win the Atlantic
Division.
To finally get over the hump in the Bowden era, the Tigers don't just
have to get past the Florida States and Boston Colleges of the ACC
world, they have to get by the mediocre teams, too. And that's been
Bowden's problem; his teams can beat anyone, but they can also lose to
anyone.
Last year they lost to a Wake Forest team that didn't go anywhere. In
2004 they lost to Duke a week after beating Miami and lost to the
Demon Deacons in 2003. If Clemson can stay focused for an entire season
and not give any games away, this will be the team to watch.
Clemson isn't going to sneak up on anyone, especially the big boys in
the Atlantic, but it might not matter. It's good enough to get
the job done.
The
Schedule: It's not that bad. The non-conference schedule is a walk
in the park before the season finale against South Carolina. There's Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech and a road trip
to Temple sprinkled throughout the ACC season. On the down side, the
conference
road games are brutal starting off at Boston College and Florida State
and getting a Thursday night trip to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech.
The second half of the season works out well starting out with the layup
against Temple before getting four of the final five games in Death
Valley.
Best
Offensive Player: Senior WR Chansi Stuckey. The former quarterback's
transition to wide receiver was more than successful. He finished last
season as the ACC's leader in receptions per game showing an uncanny
ability to always get open. Now he'll have to be even more of a
playmaker with the ball in his hands without Charlie Whitehurst throwing
to him.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior DE Gaines Adams. A certain first day draft
pick had he left this season and a likely second rounder, Adams is a
phenomenal athlete who does everything well. He's quick enough to play
linebacker at the next level with great skills as a pass defender, and
he's strong enough to handle himself well on the end where he's a pass
rushing terror.
Key player
to a successful season: Senior QB Will Proctor. The understudy is as
prepared as he'll ever be. He's not going to drive his throws deep like
Charlie Whitehurst was able to, but he's a good runner and could turn
out to run the attack better because of his mobility. As
good as Whitehurst was, he had problems with interceptions. If Proctor
can simply be efficient and let his ground game carry the offense,
Clemson will be just fine.
The season
will be a success if ... Clemson wins the Atlantic Division. The team is too
experienced and too talented not to play for the ACC title. It's not
going to be easy needing to win two of the four ACC road games against
Boston College, Florida State, Wake Forest (who's much better this
year), and Virginia Tech.
Key game:
Sept. 16 at Florida State. The Bowden vs. Bowden thing isn't that
big a deal anymore since the stakes have gone much higher. Clemson might
have won two of the last three showdowns, but it has only won once in
Tallahassee since 1976. An Atlantic Division title probably won't happen
without pulling this off.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- First
quarter scoring: Clemson 62 - Opponents 29
- Penalties: Opponents 102 for 787 yards - Clemson 57 for 486 yards
- Points off turnovers: Clemson 55 - Opponents 13
The Last Time
Clemson…
…played in a bowl game…2005 (Champs Sports Bowl v. Colorado)
…missed a bowl game…2004
…pitched a shutout…2000 (Citadel)
…was shutout…2003 (Georgia)
…scored 50 points…2003 (South Carolina)
…went undefeated…1981
…won a conference title…1991 (ACC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…2003 (Charlie Whitehurst)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2001 (Woody Dantzler)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2000 (Rod Gardner)
…had a first-round draft choice…2001 (WR Rod Gardner)
