The final Good, Bad and Ugly of 2021
Clemson travelled to Orlando and took on the Iowa State Cyclones, winning the game 20-13. It honestly didn’t need to be that close. As a matter of fact, it was 20-3 in the 3rd quarter but the Tigers let them creep back into the game.
Let’s bullet the good:
—– The defense did not skip a beat. They held Iowa State to 270 total yards, including 66 on the ground and only 14 first downs.. Brock Purdy completed 23 of 39 for 204 yards and one interception. Wes Goodwin has a bright future ahead of him and hopefully, this game showed future Clemson prospects that the defense is still Clemson defense.
—– The two-back offensive set worked like a charm, just like it had the last five games. Shipley had 15 rushes for 61 yards while Kobe Pace had 12 rushes for 51 yards. In all honesty, Streeter went away from the two-back set and the running game struggled. Shipley added 5 receptions for 53 yards and Pace had 4 receptions for 38 yards. The two worked well together in the backfield and made some big plays out of the backfield.
—– The offense had three drives of 14 plays or longer, resulting in 10 points. The Tigers ran a total of 45 plays in those three drives for 217 yards. DJ Uiagalelei finished 21-32 for 187 yards with a lone INT.
—– What can you say about Mario Goodrich. The “volleyball” interception returned for a touchdown was exciting to say the least. He was named MVP of the game, not only because of the Pick-Six, but he made the play of the game. On 4th down, and time running out, Iowa State QB Brock Purdy broke the pocket, ran for a first down, only to have Goodrich punch the ball out. The ball bounced backwards behind the 1st down marker, and the game was over. BIG BIG play.
—– Unsung Hero Time. With LB Baylon Spector and S Nolan Turner out of the game with injuries, the Tigers were still in good shape on the defense. Team leader LB James Skalski went out in the 1st quarter with an injury. Several players stepped up and the defense did not skip a beat. LB’s Keith McGuire and LaVonta Bentley and S Jalyn Phillips were next men up. McGuire and Bentley both totaled 5 tackles while Phillips was instrumental in a few crucial pass breakups while also being in on 5 tackles. The future is bright with this group.
—– Wes Goodwin. The defense is in good hands. Dabo loves him. The team loves him. The fanbase, if they haven’t figured it out yet, is going to love him too. A Venables prodigy who is ready to take over the DC job.
—– Should have said “Good Bad Ugly and Lucky”. One has to admit. DJ completed a pass to WR Beaux Collins for 11 yards on a 3rd down during the second half touchdown drive. DJ was being pressured and with a Cyclone defender hanging on, threw up a wing and a prayer and Collins came down with the ball. The Tigers went on to score the game’s 1st touchdown to go up 13-3.
When discussing the bad and the ugly, they sort of go together from this game. The officials came from the PAC-12, a conference not known for real good football of late. If they are any indication, we understand.
CB Andrew Booth was basically mugged and punched by a Cyclone WR and the official was standing right there watching. “It wasn’t a punch, he hit the turf with his hand.” “It wasn’t a punch, he was trying to strip the ball.” Anyone who watched the video that thought it was anything BUT a mugging is out of their minds. Just telling it like it is. Booth got up upset and a little woozy from the “turf punch”. He did not return to the game.
The “Phantom Roughing the Passer” penalty helped extend ISU’s only touchdown drive. In actuality, LB Keith Maguire intercepted the pass, but then fumbled back to ISU on the return, but the penalty was very questionable. There was a lot of holding in the trenches, rarely was it called. Let’s just say, the officiating could have been better.
Clemson ended the season on a 7-game winning streak (sound familiar?) and finished 10-3. As everyone already knows, thats 11 seasons in a row with 10+ wins. This team returns a LOT next year on both sides of the ball, and will add a small but solid class for 2022. Don’t count Dabo and his staff out of pulling in a few gems for the February signing date.
