Game Review: Clemson at Virginia Tech
Clemson was able to get back on the right side of things this past weekend winning at the electric Lane Stadium 24-14. The Tigers accomplished this feat after an abysmal first half offensively. Clemson walked into halftime down 7-0 with the lone score coming off of an blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown. Wes Goodwin and the Clemson Defense were able to avenge their poor showing against the Cardinals giving up only one offensive touchdown. Their terrific performance enabled Cade Klubnik and the Offense to finally get in stride and hit on a couple of big plays that put the game away.
Key Tiger Takeaways:
Wes Goodwin Masterclass: Defensive Coordinator Wes Goodwin has been on fire all week after one of his worst showings as the DC against Louisville. Even though key starters Peter Woods, Demonte Capehart, and Shelton Lewis were out, Goodwin and Co. had the best performance from a Tiger Defense all season. They only allowed one touchdown which came in garbage time, and they completely silenced the loud Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech returned their starting QB and RB from injury against the Tigers, and both were held in check for the entire game. Starting Hokie QB Kyron Drones was held to just 115 yards through the air with a less than 50% completion percentage and an interception. Drones’ rushing attack was not an issue either as he rushed for only 13 yards on 11 carries (ESPN). The Hokies ended the day with their back-up Quarterback Collin Schlee who threw their only touchdown along side another interception. However, the concern for the Tiger Defense was not through the air, but on the ground. Clemson gave up 210 rushing yards on 27 carries against Louisville in their 33-21 home loss. Yet, against the 17th ranked rushing attack in the country (201.4 yds/g), Clemson bolstered down and gave up only 40 yards on 21 carries (ESPN). The Defensive production was great through the air and the ground, and they were also able to create 3 turnovers throughout the game as well giving Clemson a +2 in the turnover margin. As mentioned, the Tigers had 2 interceptions (R.J. Mickens and Ashton Hampton), and T.J. Parker forced a fumble on Kyron Drones. I was one of Clemson’s biggest haters this past week, and the deprived Defense truly has changed my mind by dominating every facet of the game.
3 Linebacker Sets: Because of the rushing concerns that Clemson Defense has had, Wes Goodwin finally made the call to bring in Freshman LB Sammy Brown along side Veterans Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz. Goodwin and Company have been hesitant to play all three Linebackers at the same time because of the lack of depth at that position, but their improved play was because of the change in style from the Defense. Sammy Brown led the Tigers in tackles, sacks, and TFLs in his first actual career start as a Mike Linebacker for Clemson. His nose for the football is like no other, and he needs to be on the field for almost every play of the game. Clemson was also able to mix up their blitzing schemes with an added explosive rusher that created some more added pressure that helped a struggling pass rush. The top end of the Tiger Linebacker Corps is the most talented group of guys on the team, and all three of those guys should be the focal point of the Defense each and every week.
Resiliency: Clemson entered this game with 6 missing starters, and before the first quarter was over that number ticked up to 7. This Tiger squad’s depth has been constantly gutted because of the Portal and the lack of quantity from recruiting classes, but the guys that stayed and committed showed a different type of resiliency against Virginia Tech. Clemson was playing true freshmen all over the field, and even played a former walk-on meaningful snaps at Defensive End (Armon Mason). The best contributors from those freshmen were OL Elyjah Thurmon and Cornerback Ashton Hampton that I gave praise early into the season with his potential to help Clemson’s Secondary. Hampton got his opportunity because star Avieon Terrell was shaken up for a moment and because of the poor play from Veteran Jeadyn Lukus. In Hampton’s time in the game, he had great coverage on one of Virginia Tech’s best Receivers leading to a spectacular one-handed interception. Ashton Hampton is fighting for playing time down the stretch with the Veteran Lukus, and it is likely he will be involved here on out. Thurmon entered the game after an early injury to starting Left Tackle Tristen Leigh, and he held his own against one of the best pass rushers in the country throughout the rest of the game. Thurmon is a great depth piece to have for Clemson and will be a great starter down the road. The Tigers also changed an Offensive Lineman’s number to 96 in case they needed him on the Defensive Line. Coach Swinney has trusted in his philosophy even through hardships from the past 4 seasons, and while the top end success has not been reached, there are moments that make you believe in his faith. While I do not think that Coach Swinney will always stay away from the Portal, his faith in his guys is unlike anyone else. His guys showed something against Virginia Tech on the road that gives insight in their true character especially after a horrendous home loss.
Tyler Grisham: Quarterback Cade Klubnik needed his Receivers to get open early against the Hokies because of their dangerous pass rush. While there was times of good early separations, there were multiple crucial dropped passes that killed momentum in Clemson drives. There has also been a lack of blocking downfield since the early weeks of the season from the Wide Receivers that inhibit long rushing plays. Tyler Grisham has been the Receiving Coach for quite a while, and his guys have not lived up to the standard. There has been plenty example of players that never lived up to the hype, and Freshman Bryant Wesco Jr. has regressed since the start of the season. Drops from Receivers are detrimental to Clemson’s success as an Offense, and they are inexcusable. Coach Swinney needs to make an educated decision about where the play from the Wide Receivers is going, and Tyler Grisham is at the head of that decision.
FG Unit: As mentioned earlier, the Tiger’s had yet another field goal blocked during this contest, and this one was taken back to the endzone for 6. This is the 5th blocked field goal of the season, and every pressure has come from the left side of the unit. It is honestly confusing how the Tigers can not seem to fix this issue with the talent that is on the roster, but this result does not contribute to the questions that they have within the coaching staff. Dabo Swinney needs to hire an actual Special Teams Coordinator in the off-season to improve every aspect of those units, especially the Field Goal Unit.
OL Regression: After their worst showing of the season against the Cardinals, the Offensive Line had yet another poor showing that rivals the one last weekend. While the OL was missing 2 starters and a key contributor, they allowed their most sacks of the season at 4 and there was multiple other occasions that could have ended in sacks if it was not for the improved pocket presence of Cade Klubnik. Virginia Tech tacked on 4 more TFLs alongside those sacks as well, and this poor performance from the OL did not help Clemson’s terrible first half (ESPN). Coach Matt Luke has overall improved the production from the Tiger Front, but they have crumbled in every big game so far for Clemson. Coach Luke does not have his guys within that room yet, but I believe that he is a great leader for that position group. While their first half production especially looked very poor, the Offensive Line showed some resiliency as well in the second giving Klubnik a little more time. Clemson’s Offensive needs to be a well oiled machine for them to have success, and it starts up front. Their task does not get easier for the rest of the season as they have to play Pittsburgh and the dangerous Defensive Line from South Carolina.
Sources:
ESPN. “ESPN.” ESPN.com, 2019, www.espn.com/.
“Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics.” Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site, clemsontigers.com. (for Pic)