Clemson vs USF post-game notes

Tajh Boyd threw two touchdown passes in today’s game, the first Clemson freshman in history to throw two touchdown passes in a bowl game.

by CU Athletic Communications - Fri Dec 31 20:50:17 GMT-04:00 2010

Team Notes:

*When Clemson recovered an on-side kick in the fourth period, it was just the third onside kick recovery for Clemson in the last 31 years, but the second that took place in a bowl game. The others took place in the 1979 Peach Bowl against Baylor and the 2002 game at Florida State.

*Clemson closed the season with a 6-7 record, the program’s first losing season since 1998. Ten of Clemson’s 13 opponents played in bowl games this year, the most in one season in school history.

*Clemson scored 26 points in today’s game, the most for the Tigers in a bowl game since the 2003 season Peach Bowl when the Tigers scored 27 in a 27-14 win over Tennessee.

*Clemson converted on fourth down 3-3 opportunities today. Clemson had ranked 100th in the nation in fourth down conversions entering the game and had converted just 5-13 for the season prior to today.

*Clemson and South Florida both rank in the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense entering today’s game, but combined for 57 points. They were giving up a combined 37.3 points per game entering the contest.

Individual Notes

*DeAndre Hopkins, who will join the Clemson basketball team next week, had eight catches for 94 yards. He finished the season with 51 receptions for 626 yards. The reception and yardage totals are records for a Clemson true freshman and the second most receptions and yards by any freshman. Derrick Hamilton has the records for both with 53 catches for 684 yards.

*Hopkins eight catches for 94 yards. His eight receptions tied a Clemson record for receptions in a bowl game. Perry Tuttle, who lives in Charlotte and was at today’s game, had eight catches against Baylor in the 1979 Peach Bowl.

*Tajh Boyd threw two touchdown passes in today’s game, the first Clemson freshman in history to throw two touchdown passes in a bowl game. The last Clemson freshman QB to throw a touchdown pass in a bowl game was Kyle Parker last year.

*Brandon Ford caught two touchdown passes in today’s just 64 seconds apart in the final two minutes of the fourth period. Ford became the first Clemson player in history to catch more than one touchdown pass in a bowl game. Ford, who is no relation to former Tiger and current Oakland Raider Jacoby Ford, had never caught a touchdown pass prior to today’s game and had just seven career receptions entering this game. Ford finished with a career high four catches for 45 yards.

*Jamie Harper caught six passes today, the most in a bowl game by a Clemson running back. He finished the season with 37 catches, second most in Clemson history for a running back in one season. Travis Zachery set the record with 45 in 2001.

*DaQuan Bowers was credited with a tackle for loss today and finished the season with 26, tied for third best in Clemson history by a defensive lineman. The record is 27 by William Perry in 1984 and Rob Bodine in 1991.

*DeAndre McDaniel had 12 tackles in todays’ game and finished his career with 43 tackles in four bowl games. He had a team best 15 tackles in the win over Kentucky in last year’s Music City Bowl.

*Andre Branch had two tackles in today’s game and finishes the season with six, second to DaQuan Bowers 15.5.

*Kyle Parker finished the game by completing 11-17 passes for 134 yards before suffering a broken rib on a running play just before the half. Parker finishes his career fifth in Clemson history in career completions (401), passing yards (4749) and touchdown passes (32).

*Chandler Catanzaro made 2-3 field goals today and finished the season by making 6 of his last 7.