Monday September 24, 2007

NC State Review

NC State Review
Saturday afternoon I did something I have started to do more often in the past couple of seasons. As I sat in the stands with my college roommate I reminded him to soak all of it in. I tried to enjoy the site of the scoreboard—Clemson 42 NC State 20. I loved seeing the empty seats in Carter-Finley Stadium. I certainly enjoyed watching Clemson dominate the Wolfpack from the opening kick-off until the final play.

When I was younger the losses would hurt more than the wins felt good. The wins lasted about a day but the losses hung around for weeks or months but I have changed my philosophy.

I have been to State for the 10-3 loss. I have seen a 17-3 defeat at the hands of the Pack. I was there to see the 17-15 Thursday night loss. So when the Tigers win one, especially in this fashion, I try to soak up the sights and sounds and savior the triumph.

I think we could all write a book on the positives we saw Saturday but here are the ones that still stick out to me on Monday:

*The offensive line took criticism last week and the linemen were called out by Coach Bowden in recent weeks but they responded with their best game of the year against State.

*James Davis is a man. We may have seen his best overall game Saturday. I know there are a ton of games to choose from but Saturday needs to at least be in consideration. Davis ran as hard as I have ever seen him Saturday. He ran through tackles. It looked like he was in a bad mood and took it out on the Wolfpack. Davis made nice reads behind the terrific effort of the line and he accelerated off of his cuts. He also caught the ball out of the backfield very well. I am a big Terry Allen fan and I loved Raymond Priester but I am getting close to thinking Davis is on his way to being the best back in school history.

*C.J. Spiller unleashed his game Saturday and I loved effort. What he does in the open field is unbelievable. The staff found ways to get him the ball including a fantastic touchdown reception on the wheel route. Spiller is electric and he showed it again on Saturday.

*Cullen Harper continues to validate every positive thing that the staff said about him in the spring and pre-fall camp. I can’t remember a Clemson quarterback having a better four-game stretch and definitely can’t remember one having his first four starts look like this. Harper looked extremely poised in the pocket. He looked in total control of the offense and the checks. Harper threw the ball on time and never forced anything. He made the tough throws look easy. I love the way he gets to his progressions and hits the second or third receiver. Harper also hits the receiver in stride and lets them get more out of the play because they don’t have to break stride to adjust to the football. I thought his touchdown to Spiller might have been the best ball he has thrown all year. I also loved his deep ball to Rendrick Taylor and his post corner to Aaron Kelly. One last note, Harper showed a couple of moves in the FSU game and repeated it again against NCSU when he escaped the pocket for a 13-yard gain.

*The receiving corps continues to play extremely well. Jacoby Ford’s involvement in the running game and passing game adds another dimension. Aaron Kelly is a weapon again and he may be playing his best football of his career. It was great to see Rendrick Taylor back involved in the passing game as well. The tight ends caught three passes also. The receivers, backs and tight ends were a big factor Saturday.

*Defensively I thought Ricky Sapp provided the pressure we have needed. It was also nice to see Phillip Merling and Jamie Cumbie continue to make plays. Without seeing the replay, it looked like the defensive tackles controlled the line of scrimmage as well.

*The Tigers tackled better. State’s screens and draws were not as effective and I thought the defense did a better job of getting Brown to the ground than they did last year with Toney Baker.

*The Tigers had three interceptions and added a fourth (that doesn’t count in the stats) on the two-point conversion. Hamlin and Clemmons controlled the middle of the field and the corners looked as if they played well with a couple of exceptions.

*I was pleased with the special teams. I know fans don’t like giving up the kick-off return but give Darrell Blackman some credit for being among the best returners in the college game. Buchholz had the one slip up but he looked good on his field goals, extra points and kick offs. The punt team looked good on its two punts.

*I thought the staff deserves a lot of credit also. This team was prepared on both sides of the football and they should be proud. I think the game plans on both sides of the ball were fabulous. When you outgain your opponents 608 to 202 then a lot of things went right and the staff deserves a lot of credit.

What Saturday meant was that Clemson dominated NC State. It does not mean that the Tigers are “over the hump” nor does it mean that they have arrived. Too often we try to make one win or one loss mean too much. All it really means is this team is 4-0 and 2-0 in the league. It also means this team is one win closer to its goals.

Now, it showed us what this team is capable of as well but it does not mean they will perform like they did on Saturday again this Saturday or any other Saturday. Let’s just enjoy the moment. I said last week, “To the victor belong the spoils!” so let’s enjoy this one. The staff and team have already turned its attention to Georgia Tech but I am going to keep this feeling around at least until Wednesday.

Editor’s Note: I understand that tickets can still be had and I think a bunch of orange in the stands in Atlanta would show this team our appreciation. If you have not already made plans find a way to get to Atlanta this weekend!

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