Running Down the Competition :
Clemson, SC
2018 has been the year of the “Quarterback”. All preseason and leading up to and now so far in week six of this season and as we approach the halfway point. It shows no signs of letting up as the topic of conversation in the media and inside the fanbase.
Lost inside all the “QB Hub-Bub” are the incredible strides being made by the Clemson run game in 2018. Running backs and offensive line have all surpassed preseason projections as the Tigers run game cranked up here in the first five-game averaging 242.2 yards/per game. Add to that an impressive 6.0 yards per rush average, and you can see why this group of running backs has been a reliable part of the offense that is counted on, again and again, to provide needed yardage and break out the occasional explosive run.
Travis Etienne over the past 3 games has managed to average 169 yards per game and seems to be at another level this his sophomore campaign. With a year of conditioning and weight training along with the experience gathered in 2017, Etienne is looking like an “Elite”running back that has to be game planned for and gives Clemson the weapon they needed to complement its skill talent at quarterback and wide receiver.
When discussing the run game we have to mention the fact during summer camp Dabo Swinney brought to the medias attention that he thought the “running backs” as a collective group would be the most surprising position group on the team in 2018. Five games into the season. . . Swinney’s thoughts are coming to fruition in front of college football fans each and every Saturday. Etienne is having an All-Conference type year at this point, but his comrades in the running back room have also benefitted from a great start to the 2018 Season. Tavien Feaster went from 3rd string to 2nd and in his limited opportunities has really shined and has a per carry average of 5.4 yards on the season. Adam Choice and freshman Lynn J. Dixon also have done very well and have when given snaps made the most out of their chances on the gridiron. With Choice averaging 6.0/YPC and the newcomer Dixon 7.9.
The last quarter of the Syracuse game was a great barometer into how the Tigers run game can be when it’s clicking. In a game where the offense needed to impose itself and sustain drives and kill some clock, this run game rose up to the challenge and all the Tiger Running Back’s had integral parts and big runs at choice times of this win. The Clemson running backs along with the defense showed the 2018 Clemson fans in the stadium and watching on TV just how they used to do it in the Valley back in the Danny Ford era of the 80’s. Run the ball, control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and pass only when you needed to.
A flashback was for sure what many of us old enough to remember the Ford days thought we were having last Saturday as the Tigers defeated the Orange in a thriller 27-23. A big part was the run game and take a look at where they are so far in 2018.
Rushing Yardage . 1214
Rushing Attempts 202
Average Per Rush 6.0
Rushing Average Per Game 242.8
TDs Rushing 13
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