Wake Forest Review

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Fri Oct 26 10:59:17 GMT-04:00 2012

Wake Forest Review

Last night was the most complete performance of the season.

Clemson ignored the talk of a short week. They ignored the previous 1-8 record on Thursday nights on ESPN. The Tigers ignored the Grove Stadium jinx. Instead, they were dominant.

The Tigers came out and played well on defense from the first drive and dominated Wake Forest throughout for a 42-13 victory to improve to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the ACC.

The Tigers forced five punts and one fumble in the first six drives of game. For the game Clemson forced 10 punts and one turnover in their 13 drives.

In fact, going back to the second half of the Georgia Tech, Clemson has allowed only five touchdowns in the last 34 drives. This defense is improving. Fundamentals are improving. Tackling is not great but it is improving. The defensive line is getting better each week. Young players are growing up.

Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile and Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile broke Clemson records last night but the lasting memory I will take from the game was Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile ' intensity. Former Clemson linebacker Keith Adams was active on the sidelines trying to keep Venables off of the field during the play. We joked this morning on my radio show that we may need a shock collar for Venables to keep him off of the field. His intensity is beginning to spread throughout the defense. I love how he coaches up players after every series.

Offensively it was a precision passing game that led to a 35-0 lead in the second quarter. Boyd was on last night. He was distributing the ball to eight different receivers in the first half. He threw five touchdowns to five different receivers in the first half alone.

When it was all said and done, Boyd broke the single game record for most passing yards by a Clemson quarterback with 428 yards.

Watkins has been suspended, hurt, sick and penned up until last night, when he broke the single game receiving yards record with 202 yards on eight catches.

Clemson has played 1,158 football games in school history and no quarterback has ever thrown for more yards and no wide receiver had ever had more receiving yards in a single game.

The Tigers out gained Wake 534-290. They held the Deacs to 51 rushing yards on 28 carries, which is a 1.8 yards per carry average.

The Tigers did not turn the ball over. They had 26 first downs. They had five sacks. This was a complete performance.

It was not the perfect game. There were a few tackling issues. The offensive line had a hard time in the running game. Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS Jr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile had his 20 consecutive field goal streak broken. But it was the best overall performance of the season.

The superstars showed up but others contributed. D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile scored. Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile had three catches for 82 yards. Jaron BrownJaron Brown
Gr. Wide Receiver
#18 6-2, 205
Cheraw, SC
View Full Profile had three catches for 40 yards. Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile had the first touchdown reception of his career. Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile contributed on offense, defense and special teams. Both tight ends, Ford and Cooper, caught touchdown passes.

On defense, Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS So. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile had two sacks. Malliciah GoodmanMalliciah Goodman
Sr. Defensive End
#97 6-4, 270
Florence, SC
View Full Profile had a sack. Tig Willard had another strong performance. Freshmen defensive linemen D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-3, 335
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile , Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Forest City, NC
View Full Profile , Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-5, 280
Greer, SC
View Full Profile played a bunch of snaps and gained valuable experience.

The stretch of five scoring drives in the first half was a thing of beauty. The Tigers scored on drives of 80 yards, 72 yards, 80 yards, 68 yards and 19 yards. At that point the game was over.

Clemson now has an extra two days to prepare for another trip to the Tar Heel state when it will face Duke next Saturday night in Durham. It will be a chance to go 8-1 and 6-1 in the ACC. It will also be another chance for the Tigers to change the culture of the program and the fans.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List

We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:

If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.

If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com

*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.

Those who need our prayers include:Finn Brookover, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile , Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Billy McLeroy, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Travis Patterson, Nick Chrisley, Bud Long, Arthur R. Cressman Sr, Jennifer Chancy, Eden Chandler, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, The Sturkey Family, James Caylor, Ron Johnson, John Ellis Haddad.