CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Christian Wilkins joins two teammates in the top-25 nationally in sacks early.
Christian Wilkins joins two teammates in the top-25 nationally in sacks early.

Clemson 'D' with six top-10 NCAA stat rankings


by - Staff Writer -

Clemson’s early defensive success reflects well in the updated NCAA FBS stats through two games.

Brent Venables’ group holds a top-10 ranking in six major team ‘D’ stats, paced by the nation's top pass defense (40 YPG) and the No. 2 total defense (118.5 YPG).

Junior defensive end Austin Bryant is second nationally in sacks (4) on a unit that is also top-25 in rushing defense (No. 22; 78.5 YPG).

Offensively, Kelly Bryant’s 68.6 completion rating is top-30 in the nation (28), leading a group that cracks the top-25 in third down offense (t-15, 53.8 percent) and first downs (20th, 52).

Looking ahead, Clemson is set to face the No. 5 total offense (614.5) and No. 10 passing offense (385.5) under Heisman winner Lamar Jackson after Louisville's games away from home with Purdue (neutral site) and North Carolina (road). Jackson leads the NCAA in total offense per game (505).

On defense, the Cardinals rank No. 2 in rushing defense (34), but 123rd in passing yards allowed (338.5).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Fourth down offense – 1 (1.000), passing defense – 1 (40 YPG), total defense – 2 (118.5 YPG), sacks per game – 2 (5.5), first downs defense – 6 (18), pass efficiency defense – 5 (71.45 rating), scoring defense – 5 (4.5 PPG), third down offense – T-15 (.538), first downs offense – 20 (52), rushing defense – 22 (78.5 YPG).

Other key stats

Total offense – 36 (474.5), scoring offense – T-49 (35), turnover margin – T-113, team tackles for loss – 9 (9.5), red zone offense – 65 (85.71), red zone TD percentage – 20 (85.71).

Top individual national ranks

Kelly Bryant – Completion percentage No. 28 (.686), rushing TDs 15 (3).

Austin Bryant – Sacks 2 (4), TFL 18 (4),

Christian Wilkins – Sacks 24 (2)

Dorian O’Daniel – Sacks 24 (2)

Deon Cain – Yards per catch 28 (24.25)

Tavien Feaster – Yards per carry 21 (9.33)

ACC team stat rankings

Total offense: 6 (Leader: Louisville, 614.5)

Total defense: 1

Passing offense: 7 (Leader: Louisville, 385.5)

Passing defense: 1

Rushing offense 5 (Leader: Georgia Tech, 372.5)

Rushing defense: 5 (Leader: Louisville, 34)

3rd down offense: 3 (Leader: Georgia Tech, .600)

3rd down defense: 7 (Leader: Duke, .136)

(National and individual stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)

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