Instant Analysis: Clemson 43, Troy 19

by TigerNet Staff - Sat Sep 03 18:51:37 GMT-04:00 2011

What went right: The second half was much better than the first half. The Tigers gained just 42 yards of total offense after the first series of the game, but had over 300 yards of total offense in the second half. The freshmen were a big part of the game – Sammy Watkins Sammy Watkins
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-2, 200
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile and Mike Bellamy Mike Bellamy
Fr. Running Back
#5 5-10, 187
Nocatee, FL
View Full Profile both set Clemson freshman records – and quarterback Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS So. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 230
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile was much sharper in the second half after he found a rhythm.

In the first half, Boyd was having trouble identifying the blitz and looked out of synch at times. In the second half, offensive coordinator Chad Morris called more quick routes and Bellamy had a 75-yard run on the first carry of his Clemson career.

The defense gave up just three points in the second half.

What went wrong: The offense was putrid for much of the first half, and they were 0-for-8 in the first half on third down. Against good teams, that puts you in a hole you can’t get out of. The offensive line struggled at times against the Troy front four.

The defense gave up too many big plays in the passing game, and it was gashed for over 400 yards

of total offense. Too many missed tackles and missed assignments contributed to the effort. Safety

Rashard HallRashard Hall
RS Jr. Safety
#31 6-2, 200
St. Augustine, FL
View Full Profile also went out in the second half with what looked like a leg injury.

Turning Point of the game: Boyd hit tight end Dwayne AllenDwayne Allen
RS Jr. Tight End
#83 6-3, 245
Fayetteville, NC
View Full Profile on a 54-yard touchdown early in the

third quarter, a score that erased a 16-13 Troy lead. Boyd was 9-for-9 for 70 yards on the drive, and it appeared he regained some confidence after a sluggish first half.

Stat of the game: The Tigers had 468 yards of total offense in the game, but 347 of those came in the second half. Boyd was just 6-for-12 for 65 yards in the first half, but hit 14-of-18 passes for 199 yards in the second half.