Tuesday October 10, 2006

Final Wake Forest Notes

Final Wake Forest Notes
*According to the coaching staff, it was Thomas Hunter who came up with a couple of huge plays in the fourth quarter to help the Tigers to victory against Wake Forest. The efforts came on back-to-back plays with the game tied at 17. On third and six from the Clemson 18, Hunter caught a pass on a crossing route and punished three defenders on a 10-yard catch that gained the first down. On the next play he destroyed his man and set up the key block in C.J. Spiller’s 72-yard touchdown run.

*Field position was a struggle all day in Winston-Salem. Clemson had 13 drives against Wake Forest nine started at its own 20-yard line or worse. Five of the Tigers’ drives started inside their own five-yard line.

*Despite bad field position, the Tigers moved the ball as evidenced by the 428 yards of total offense. However, four turnovers were the main reason for the offenses struggles. Heading into the fourth quarter, Clemson had only three points but had punted just twice.

*The Tiger defense played well once again. Clemson allowed Wake Forest just one drive over 32 yards.

*In years past it was a productive running attack that Wake had used to beat Clemson but on this day the Tigers held Wake to just 31 yards on 31 carries.

*Perhaps the key series of the game came at the end of the third quarter. Proctor’s interception gave Wake the ball at the Clemson 39 with 2:20 to go in the third quarter. Wake had a 17-3 lead and a great opportunity. The Tigers held on that series and forced the field goal attempt where Gaines Adams made the play to save the Tigers’ season.

*Don’t forget about the Clemson defense in this fourth quarter also. It was a great sack and caused fumble by Brandon Cannon that was recovered by Donnell Clark to set up the tying score. On the next drive, Wake had it third and one at their own 49 before Dorell Scott and Jock McKissic stopped Harris for loss of one that forced a punt. The next drive C.J. Gaddis picked off a pass that set up the final field goal.

*Proctor did not play his best game but he was 4-5 in the fourth quarter including three huge passes. Proctor fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Kelly to tie the game at 17. He hit Hunter on the third and six pass to get the key first down before Spiller’s run. He also hit Spiller in the flats on a third and one play on the last drive.

*A few weeks ago on the blog I said look out for C.J. Spiller. I thought he was getting more comfortable each week. Now he has back-to-back 100-yard games. I was talking to Clemson running back coach Burton Burns on Monday and he was so proud of all of his backs. Burns says that James Davis understands the offense and reads the blocks better than any of his backs. He also credited Davis for coming back stronger this season. Burns added than when Spiller gets stronger and starts to read the blocks the way Davis does then look out. He said that both of those backs have a chance to be something really special. Burns added that Reggie Merriweather should be back this week. He said that Demerick Chancellor has an extremely bright future. He loves Chancellor’s speed and power. Needless to say Burns is as excited as any coach at Clemson right now.

*Wake Forest was showing Clemson some different looks on defense. The walked up a linebacker and loaded the box in some different ways. The Clemson staff credited the experience along the offensive line with making the correct adjustments.

*Aaron Kelly had a huge game against the Deacs. With Taylor going down in the third quarter, Kelly had to step up and his play was another key to victory.

*Speaking of Taylor, the injury he has is severe. The bone that he broke is a very difficult one to heal and there are issues with nerves involved. I would think he can come back as strong as ever but this is a difficult injury to overcome.

*Gaines Adams had a nice statistical day. Six tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks for a loss of 15 yards, one forced fumble and one fumble return of 66 yards for a touchdown is not a bad day. Oh yeah, did we mention the play of the year and the play that may have saved Clemson’s season?

*Did anyone else get caught in that awful Will Call line Saturday? Why did Clemson send back tickets sooner than usual to Wake Forest? If Wake wants to be big time football then they need to start acting like it. The Will Call line was worse than any high school I have ever been to.

*Clemson’s special teams were pathetic. Extra points that looked like bad junior varsity teams, kick off coverage that looked like Swiss cheese and punt returners that let the ball land and bounce 20 yards inside the five yard line. If the Tigers want to win this league this has to be fixed.

*Injuries have been a theme to this season. There are few programs in the country that could lose this many players to injury and still be ranked 12th in the nation. The key to overcome all of the injuries the Tigers have endured is recruiting.

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