Offensive Grades Clemson versus Furman
Offense Grade Overall: B+
The Tigers offense was able to amass 531 total yards to go with the 48 points shown on the way to a resounding win over over-matched Furman, as the scoreboard indicated at the end of Saturdays opener . But the details lie in the numbers and personnel that participated in the game. We are here to break that down, and give you our grade on this week’s Clemson performance.
Rushing Offense: A
Attribute it to opening day “jitters” or “butterflies” as it was attested to in our post game interviews with some of the players. Either way the Tigers especially In the run game looked sluggish and unable to generate a push or open holes of any type in the early going. Eventually this would be remedied with a few adjustments on the sideline from the offensive coaching staff.
And the Tigers ended the day with a very respectable 249 yards rushing on 35 attempts for a hefty 7.1 per carry average for the day. The Solid play all day of Etienne who was constantly hitting the hole and getting 5/6/7 yards per tote , and who eventually ended his day with 64 yards on 11 carries . Paved the way for the remaining back on the depth chart to get in and also take advantage of this game and the opportunities it held.
The you have to factor in new comer Lynn J Dixon’s 89 yards on 6 carries, Tavien Feaster had 24 on 3 carries, and Adam Choice with 2 carries for 6 yards. Overall the offensive line in various versions of different personnel, showed us in this game it was able to execute the zone and power schemes with ease after a quick adjustment early on. And the backs all played within their various skill set. With the surprise of the day being the freshman Dixon as he was able to perform on cue with all we saw and heard from fall camp. And led the day with the a long run of 61 yards on his second play from scrimmage as a Tiger.
Lynn J Dixon 89 Yards on 6 Carries 14.8 Yards per carry
Travis Etienne 64 Yards on 11 Carries 5.7/YPC
Kelly Bryant 53 Yards on 5 Carries 8.8/YPC
Tavien Feaster . 24 Yards on 3 Carries 8.0/YPC
Passing Offense B-
The Clemson offense through the air was also a work in progress as the day went along. Early on, both Bryant and Lawrence misfired and you could tell it was adrenaline and jitters that contributed to early over throws and missed targets. As both QB’s were guilty of one or the other during the first quarter.
Just like in the run game, the QB’s started to get their feet under them and settled down to both have a very respectable day and lead the team up and down the field. The Tigers offense ended up racking up 282 yards passing, on 35 attempts for an average of 8.1 yards per completion and 4 touchdowns. With the long for the day being a 42 yard reception by Cornell Powell . Touchdowns on this day through the air were dispelled by Bryant with 1 TD pass to Amari Rodgers of 40 yards. And Lawrence was able to connect on three occasions with Deondre Overton, Justyn Ross and Braden Galloway.
The Wide receiving corps was represented well here as the Tigers distributed the ball to as many as ten separate receivers and tight ends, with Rodgers leading the way with 4 catches for 49 yards including the 40 yard TD.
Amari Rodgers . 4 receptions for 49 yards and 1 Touchdown (40 yards)
Tee Higgins 3 receptions for 35 yards and a long of 19
Braden Galloway 3 receptions for 34 yards and 1 Touchdown (9 yards)
Hunter Renfrow 3 receptions for 24 yards and long of 16
Breaking down the QB Play if we had to give out individual grades . . . both QB’s get a “B” in our eyes, with the early mistakes, some missed throws that could have been easily turned into positive plays in the pass game. And each of them making a bad read or two in both areas of the offense. Both Bryant and Lawrence were able to adjust and acclimated well to the game plan and situational play as the game progressed . With Bryant ending the day 11 for 17 for 132 yards and the one touch down, Lawrence then adding his 9 out of 14 for 137 yards and three scores. Chase Brice got in later In the contest and attributed for 3 out of 4 for 13 yards in “game management” duty after the contest was well in hand.
Kelly Bryant 11/17 132 yards 1 TD
Trevor Lawrence 9/14 137 yards 3 TD
Chase Brice 3/4 13 yards 0 TD
Offense Overall : Again… it was the slow start as the main contributing factor leading to the “B” over all grade, this offense racked up 531 total yards on the day on 70 plays. However, not even close to the weekly goal set by offensive coordinator Tony Elliot of 90 plays per contest. You do have to factor in the reserves were inserted through out the day and that has to affect continuity. And then short scoring drives as well. But over all this offense was able to hit stride mid way through the second quarter and able to finish the game stronger and well balanced in both the run and pass game, as the final numbers showed .
The biggest achievement for this offense was the ability to get things going and onto the game plan that included a heavy in flux of new talent in the form of freshmen and red shirt freshman that needed this chance to gain much needed experience to help provide depth moving forward here in 2018. Getting players like Derion Kendrick, Justyn Ross, Jackson Carman, as well as Braden Galloway much needed time in front of “live bullets” as they can get inside game situations.
This team won’t have the luxury of an overmatched opponent this week as they travel to Kyle Field in College Station, TX and face much more talented roster in the form of Texas AM.
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