Watson, offense finding a groove

Watson has the Clemson offense rolling

by Daniel Shirley - Correspondent - Tue Oct 11 18:01:02 GMT-04:00 2016

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson said this weekend that he believes the Tigers’ offense is finding its groove.

The NCAA’s national statistics back up that thought.

After the team’s 56-10 win over Boston College, the offense moved from 47th to 29th in scoring offense at 38.7 points per game, while improving from 43rd to 34th in total offense (470.8 yards per game).

Watson is now 33rd in passing (262.0 yards) and 25th in total offense (302.7 yards), while Wayne Gallman is up to 67th in rushing (79.17 yards) and Mike Williams is 64th in receiving (72.0 yards).

But the Clemson defense continued to improve, as well.

The Tigers rank in the top 10 in several defensive team categories: scoring (15.0 points, eighth); passing (149.0 yards, sixth); total defense (282.2 yards, ninth); interceptions (nine, tied for eighth), sacks (21, tied for sixth) and tackles for loss (56, tied for third).

Other NCAA rankings of note:

TEAM

Offense

Rushing offense: 178.17 yards per game (61).

Passing offense: 292.7 yards per game (27).

Defense

Rushing defense: 133.17 yards per game (34).

Fumbles recovered: Five (T26).

Special Teams

Punt returns: 12.18 yards per return (29).

Kickoff returns: 24.0 yards per return (T30).

INDIVIDUAL

Defense

Tackles: Van Smith, 49 (T44); Ben Boulware, 47 (T61).

Sacks: Carlos Watkins, 3.0 (T92).

Tackles for loss: Christian Wilkins, 8.5 (T15); Kendall Joseph, 6.0 (T75).

Interceptions: Jadar Johnson, 3 (T7).

Passes defensed: Johnson, 8 (T11).

Fumbles forced: Boulware, 2 (T17).

Special teams

Punt returns: Ray-Ray McCloud, 13.1 yards per return (15).

Kickoff returns: Artavis Scott, 27.38 yards per return (22).

Scoring: Greg Huegel, 8.0 points per game (T62).

Daniel Shirley is the sports editor of The Telegraph in Macon, Ga., and co-host of The Midday Sports Zone on Middle Georgia’s ESPN, 93.1 FM and 99.5 FM. Follow him on Twitter at @DM_Shirley and read his blog at macon.com/peachsports.