Ball State Review

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Sep 10 11:02:34 GMT-04:00 2012

Ball State Review

A couple of quick notes before we review the Ball State game. First, thanks to those who are visiting the site of our title sponsor www.lancekingmortgage.com. Tiger fans are clicking on the prime lending logo or the prime cares logo and are finding out how they can give up to $500 to IPTAY by closing a loan with Lance. Also, thanks to those following me on twitter now @Mickeyplyler.

The Ball State game is not the measuring stick for the season. It was a breather. It was a game where the goals were to stay healthy and try to improve. I think both were accomplished.

Offense

The offense was a well oiled machine in the first half. The Tigers scored on seven of the eight first half drives including six touchdowns and the half ended on the longest field goal in ACC history.

The 45 points in the first half is the most points scored by Clemson in a half since the Tigers scored 49 points in the first half against Wake Forest in 1981.

The second half was a chance to play a bunch of players and get experience for the backups. The staff got a bunch of players in the game and now have game film to evaluate.

Clemson tallied 526 yards of total offense on 84 plays. The Tigers did not allow a sack and did not turn the ball over. It is the first time Clemson has had back-to-back games of 500+ yards of total offense since last season when the Tigers had 500 against Boston College and 576 at Maryland in back-to-back games. It is also the first time since at least 1980 that Clemson has had back-to-back games of 500+ yards of total offense in the first two games of the season.

Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile was impressive once again. The junior completed 19 of 23 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He looked poised and composed and helped lead another frantic pace on offense.

DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#6 6-2, 205
Central, SC
View Full Profile caught six passes for 105 yards receiving with three

touchdowns in the first half. With his three touchdown receptions, Hopkins ties a school record for receiving touchdowns and joins Rod Gardner, Dreher Gaskin and Tony Horne

as the only other players to accomplish the feat.

Hopkins also now has three consecutive games of at least 100+ receiving yards, which ties a Clemson record. Rod Gardner had three in 2000, Tony Horne had three in 1997, and Charlie Waters had three in 1969.

The former Dorman High School wide outs had career highs. Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile recorded a career-high seven receptions for a career-high 44 yards. Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile had a career-high in both receptions (6) and receiving yards (49) and had a 27-yard reception, the longest of his career.

Clemson had 12 different players catch a pass in the game. That is the most players to catch a pass in a single game since 2007 when Clemson had 12 different players catch a pass against Louisiana-Monroe. Daniel Rodriquez saw his first action as a Tiger which brought the crowd to its feet.

Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
So. Quarterback
#8 6-5, 205
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile set career highs in pass completions (12), pass attempts (18) and passing yards (123).

The running game was not a priority as Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile did not play in the second half. He ended the game with 14 carries for 42 yards but did have two rushing touchdowns.

Rod McDowell had his best game as a Tiger with eight carries for 59 yards including a sensational touchdown run.

For the second straight week it was nice to see the offensive line play well. David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS So. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile left with a knee injury but Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS Fr. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-4, 265
Williamston, SC
View Full Profile looked very comfortable in his first action. The second team line got a bunch of snaps in the second half as well.

Defense

The defense improved in some areas but there are still question marks at all three levels.

On the positive front, Clemson held Ball State to 3-for-14 (.214) on third-down conversions. The Tigers held Auburn to 4-for-13 (.308) on third-down conversions last week, so opposing teams are 7-for-27 (.259) against the Clemson defense this season.

The Tigers held the Cardinals to just 128 passing yards which is perhaps the biggest surprise of the day.

Clemson created two turnovers including one from Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
So. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile who also led the Clemson defense with a career-high nine tackles. Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS So. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC
View Full Profile added eight tackles for the Tigers and Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Fr. Defensive Back
#11 6-1, 190
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile recorded a career-high seven in his second career game.

But Clemson had two issues on defense. First, the Tigers allowed 252 yards rushing. This was against a MAC team that didn't do anything tricky. Ball State found success on basic running plays in basic running formations.

The defensive line and the linebackers were a big part of that but the Tiger secondary whiffed on a couple of long runs. Bad pursuit angles and poor fundamentals plagued the defense.

The other major issue is the secondary and their ball skills. Time and time again over the past two seasons we see defensive backs lose their balance, get their feet tangled, commit pass interference penalties, lose the receiver, lose the ball and look bad in the process. I chalk this up to a problem that I am not sure can be fixed and that is a lack of athleticism.

Special Teams

Spencer BentonSpencer Benton
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#13 6-1, 195
Myrtle Beach, SC
View Full Profile ’s 61-yard field goal at the end of the first half is a school and ACC record for longest field goal. The previous ACC record was 60 yards by Gary Cismesia of Florida State in 2007. The previous Clemson record was 57 yards by Obed Ariri in 1977 and Chris Gardocki in 1990. Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Fr. Punter
#92 6-6, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile also saw his first action as a punter and kick off specialist and performed well.

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Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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