Tigers Pound Demon Deacons In Death Valley |
by Dan Scott
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Correspondent
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Sat Nov 10 15:46:38 GMT-04:00 2007
CLEMSON - Since Jim Grobe's arrival at Wake Forest, his team has been the bane of Tommy Bowden's existence. But after years of close games, freaky plays and one humiliating loss, Bowden's Clemson Tigers finally exorcised the Demon Deacons Saturday afternoon.
And considering what was on the line, the scintillating performance couldn't have come at a better time.
No. 20 Clemson scored on five of six first-half possessions, running out to a 20-point lead at the break and cruising to a 44-10 victory over Wake Forest. The game was played before a capacity crowd at Death Valley, and now sets up a winner-take-all meeting next week with Boston College for the right to represent the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship game.
The win improved the Tigers to 8-2 overall, 5-2 in the league. Wake Forest falls to 6-4, (4-3).
"I think it kind of started with defense. Defense set the tone," Bowden said afterwards. "They've got a very difficult offense to kind of hem up...That set the tempo. We played with a little higher level defensively. We've done it a couple of time this season.
"That will be the key to how well we play down the stretch."
Again this week, Clemson won because every phase of the game made a positive contribution:
- Cullen Harper had his usual steady performance at quarterback, finishing 27-of-35 for 266 yards and three touchdowns, five yards to Tyler Grisham and nine and 10 yards to Aaron Kelly. Harper also had a seven-yard TD run.
The two scoring catches for Kelly give him 11 on the season, breaking the mark of 10 set by Derrick Hamilton in 2003. He also has a TD reception in five straight games, tying Hamilton's record set the same season;
- The running game wasn't spectacular, but was solid enough to make the Deacs respect the play-action pass. C.J. Spiller gained 54 yards on just eight carries , including a 31-yarder in the third quarter. James Davis added 62 yards on 21 carries;
- Clemson's defense was excellent again, the front four harassing Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner all day. Skinner was sacked five times, pressured numerous others, and threw an interception to Chris Chancellor in the third quarter. Vic Koening's unit also limited the Deac's rushing game to just 83 yards, and 287 yards of total offense.
- And special teams did its part, keeping the Wake Forest return specialists in check on all but one occasion, while kicker Mark Buchholz drilled three long field goals (48, 52 and 46). Meanwhile, Spiller returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score, his second such feat in as many weeks.
All in all, it was the right performance at the right time for Bowden's club. And now, after years of frustration, the chance to play for the ACC title has finally arrived.
"They played last week for this week. Getting ready won't be a problem," said Bowden. "This is the Super Bowl...I think we'll prepare like we did last week."
Clemson never trailed Saturday, taking the opening kickoff and driving down the field for Harper's seven-yard TD run. Later in the quarter Buchholz added a 48-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.
Wake's lone touchdown came on a 2-yard touchdown run by Adams, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
But Harper responded with the scoring passes to Grisham and Kelly (10 yards), and Buchholz added a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the first half for a 27-7 lead.
Scoring Summary (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
Wake Forest (6-4,4-3) vs. Clemson (8-2,5-2)
Date: Nov 10, 2007 Site: Clemson, SC Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 81500
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Wake Forest......... 7 0 3 0 - 10
Clemson............. 10 17 10 7 - 44
Scoring Summary:
1st 10:27 CU - Harper, C 7 yd run (Buchholz, M kick)
12 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:33, WF 0 - CU 7
07:50 CU - Buchholz, M 48 yd field goal
6 plays, 24 yards, TOP 2:04, WF 0 - CU 10
01:22 WF - Adams, J 2 yd run (Swank, S kick)
14 plays, 71 yards, TOP 6:20, WF 7 - CU 10
2nd 12:27 CU - Grisham, T 5 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick)
12 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:48, WF 7 - CU 17
08:48 CU - Kelly, A 10 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick)
4 plays, 31 yards, TOP 1:14, WF 7 - CU 24
00:00 CU - Buchholz, M 52 yd field goal
9 plays, 44 yards, TOP 1:18, WF 7 - CU 27
3rd 07:43 WF - Swank, S 52 yd field goal
4 plays, 2 yards, TOP 2:14, WF 10 - CU 27
07:30 CU - Spiller, C 90 yd kickoff return (Buchholz, M kick)
WF 10 - CU 34
00:41 CU - Buchholz, M 46 yd field goal
5 plays, 40 yards, TOP 2:20, WF 10 - CU 37
4th 04:16 CU - Kelly, A 9 yd pass from Harper, C (Buchholz, M kick)
13 plays, 84 yards, TOP 7:29, WF 10 - CU 44
Kickoff time: 12:03 PM End of Game: 3:21 PM Total elapsed time: 3:18
Officials: Referee: J. Magallanes; Umpire: Terrence Ramsey; Linesman: Elmo Gary;
Line judge: Greg Parman; Back judge: Hal Preas; Field judge: Ronnie Stewart;
Side judge: Kevin Edwards;
Temperature: 57 deg Wind: Calm Weather: Sunny
Team Statistics
Team Statistics (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
WF CU
FIRST DOWNS................... 21 25
Rushing..................... 8 10
Passing..................... 12 14
Penalty..................... 1 1
NET YARDS RUSHING............. 83 145
Rushing Attempts............ 37 34
Average Per Rush............ 2.2 4.3
Rushing Touchdowns.......... 1 1
Yards Gained Rushing........ 123 157
Yards Lost Rushing.......... 40 12
NET YARDS PASSING............. 204 266
Completions-Attempts-Int.... 24-35-1 27-36-0
Average Per Attempt......... 5.8 7.4
Average Per Completion...... 8.5 9.9
Passing Touchdowns.......... 0 3
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS........... 287 411
Total offense plays......... 72 70
Average Gain Per Play....... 4.0 5.9
Fumbles: Number-Lost.......... 0-0 0-0
Penalties: Number-Yards....... 8-62 4-45
PUNTS-YARDS................... 5-216 2-94
Average Yards Per Punt...... 43.2 47.0
Net Yards Per Punt.......... 32.4 19.5
Inside 20................... 1 0
50+ Yards................... 0 1
Touchbacks.................. 1 0
Fair catch.................. 2 0
KICKOFFS-YARDS................ 3-186 8-538
Average Yards Per Kickoff... 62.0 67.2
Net Yards Per Kickoff....... 19.3 46.0
Touchbacks.................. 0 1
Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD. 1-55-0 2-34-0
Average Per Return.......... 55.0 17.0
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 7-150-0 3-128-1
Average Per Return.......... 21.4 42.7
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD.. 0-0-0 1-12-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD. 0-0-0 0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards........... 0 0
Possession Time............... 32:33 27:27
1st Quarter................. 7:01 7:59
2nd Quarter................. 8:53 6:07
3rd Quarter................. 9:08 5:52
4th Quarter................. 7:31 7:29
Third-Down Conversions........ 6 of 15 7 of 12
Fourth-Down Conversions....... 1 of 2 0 of 0
Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 1-2 4-4
Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 2-8 5-35
PAT Kicks..................... 1-1 5-5
Field Goals................... 1-1 3-3
Individual Statistics
Individual Statistics (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
Wake Forest
Rushing No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
--------------------------------------------
Andrews, M 10 42 0 42 0 9 4.2
Adams, J 15 46 5 41 1 6 2.7
Marion, K 1 10 0 10 0 10 10.0
Skinner, R 11 25 35 -10 0 8 -0.9
Totals... 37 123 40 83 1 10 2.2
Passing Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD Long Sack
--------------------------------------------
Skinner, R 30-21-1 170 0 20 5
Hodges, B 5-3-0 34 0 14 0
Totals... 35-24-1 204 0 20 5
Receiving No. Yds TD Long
-----------------------------------
Adams, J 7 5 0 10
Moore, K 5 62 0 20
Selmon, Z 3 48 0 19
Bryant, D 2 24 0 14
Boldin, D 2 22 0 11
Williams, J 2 11 0 9
Tereshinski, J 1 12 0 12
Wooster, B 1 11 0 11
Andrews, M 1 9 0 9
Totals... 24 204 0 20
Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB
----------------------------------------------
Swank, S 5 216 43.2 49 1 1
Totals... 5 216 43.2 49 1 1
Punts Kickoffs Intercept
All Returns No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg
---------------------------------------------
Moore, K 1 55 55 1 20 20 0 0 0
Marion, K 0 0 0 6 130 38 0 0 0
Totals... 1 55 55 7 150 38 0 0 0
Field goal attempts
----------------------------------------
Swank, S 3rd 07:43 52 yds - Good
Kickoffs No. Yds TB OB Avg
---------------------------------------
Swank, S 3 186 0 0 62.0
Clemson
Rushing No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
--------------------------------------------
Davis, J 21 66 4 62 0 14 3.0
Spiller, C 8 54 0 54 0 31 6.8
Grisham, T 2 24 2 22 0 24 11.0
Harper, C 3 13 6 7 1 7 2.3
Totals... 34 157 12 145 1 31 4.3
Passing Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD Long Sack
--------------------------------------------
Harper, C 35-27-0 266 3 30 1
TEAM 1-0-0 0 0 0 0
Grisham, T 0-0-0 0 0 0 1
Totals... 36-27-0 266 3 30 2
Receiving No. Yds TD Long
-----------------------------------
Kelly, A 10 93 2 16
Grisham, T 9 100 1 30
Taylor, R 3 19 0 11
Palmer, M 2 39 0 24
Davis, J 2 -1 0 5
Spiller, C 1 16 0 10
Totals... 27 266 3 30
Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB
----------------------------------------------
Maners, J 2 94 47.0 55 0 0
Totals... 2 94 47.0 55 0 0
Punts Kickoffs Intercept
All Returns No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg No.Yds.Lg
---------------------------------------------
Kelly, A 0 0 0 2 38 23 0 0 0
Spiller, C 2 34 28 1 90 90 0 0 0
Chancellor, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 12
Totals... 2 34 28 3 128 90 1 12 12
Field goal attempts
----------------------------------------
Buchholz, M 1st 07:50 48 yds - Good
Buchholz, M 2nd 00:00 52 yds - Good
Buchholz, M 3rd 00:41 46 yds - Good
Kickoffs No. Yds TB OB Avg
---------------------------------------
Buchholz, M 8 538 1 0 67.2
FUMBLES: Wake Forest-None. Clemson-None.
Drive Chart
Drive Chart (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
Drive Started Drive Ended Consumed
Team Qtr Spot Time Obtained Spot Time How Lost Pl-Yds TOP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WF 1st W30 10:21 Kickoff W17 09:54 Punt 3--13 0:27
WF 1st W29 07:42 Kickoff C00 01:22 *TOUCHDOWN 14-71 6:20#
WF 2nd W08 12:20 Kickoff W10 10:02 Punt 3-2 2:18
WF 2nd W20 08:48 Kickoff C48 04:43 Punt 8-32 4:05
WF 2nd W30 03:41 Punt C42 01:18 Punt 7-28 2:23
WF 3rd W25 14:55 Kickoff W39 13:16 Punt 4-14 1:39
WF 3rd C37 09:57 Punt C35 07:43 *FIELD GOAL 4-2 2:14
WF 3rd W48 07:22 Kickoff C41 03:01 Interception 8-11 4:21
WF 3rd W18 00:36 Kickoff C16 11:45 Downs 12-66 3:51#
WF 4th W12 04:00 Kickoff C29 00:00 End of half 10-59 4:00
CU 1st C31 15:00 Kickoff W00 10:27 *TOUCHDOWN 12-69 4:33#
CU 1st C45 09:54 Punt W31 07:50 *FIELD GOAL 6-24 2:04
CU 1st C21 01:15 Kickoff W00 12:27 *TOUCHDOWN 12-79 3:48#
CU 2nd W31 10:02 Punt W00 08:48 *TOUCHDOWN 4-31 1:14#
CU 2nd C08 04:43 Punt C15 03:41 Punt 3-7 1:02
CU 2nd C20 01:18 Punt W36 15:00 *FIELD GOAL 9-44 1:18
CU 3rd C20 13:16 Punt W47 09:57 Punt 9-33 3:19
CU 3rd W00 07:30 Kickoff W00 07:30 *TOUCHDOWN 0-0 0:00
CU 3rd C31 03:01 Interception W29 00:41 *FIELD GOAL 5-40 2:20
CU 4th C16 11:45 Downs W00 04:16 *TOUCHDOWN 13-84 7:29#
WF 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd
Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr Half Half Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time of possession 07:01 08:53 09:08 07:31 15:54 16:39 32:33
3rd Down Conversions 2/3 1/4 0/4 3/4 3/7 3/8 6/15
Avg Field Position W29 W19 W38 W12 W23 W33 W28
4th Down Conversions 0/0 0/0 1/1 0/1 0/0 1/2 1/2
CU 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd
Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr Half Half Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time of possession 07:59 06:07 05:52 07:29 14:06 13:21 27:27
3rd Down Conversions 2/3 3/5 1/3 1/1 5/8 2/4 7/12
Avg Field Position C32 C32 C50 C16 C32 C41 C36
4th Down Conversions 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0
Drive Chart (By Quarter)
Drive Started Drive Ended Consumed
Team Qtr Spot Time Obtained Spot Time How Lost Pl-Yds TOP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CU 1st C31 15:00 Kickoff W00 10:27 *TOUCHDOWN 12-69 4:33#
WF 1st W30 10:21 Kickoff W17 09:54 Punt 3--13 0:27
CU 1st C45 09:54 Punt W31 07:50 *FIELD GOAL 6-24 2:04
WF 1st W29 07:42 Kickoff C00 01:22 *TOUCHDOWN 14-71 6:20#
CU 1st C21 01:15 Kickoff W00 12:27 *TOUCHDOWN 12-79 3:48#
WF 2nd W08 12:20 Kickoff W10 10:02 Punt 3-2 2:18
CU 2nd W31 10:02 Punt W00 08:48 *TOUCHDOWN 4-31 1:14#
WF 2nd W20 08:48 Kickoff C48 04:43 Punt 8-32 4:05
CU 2nd C08 04:43 Punt C15 03:41 Punt 3-7 1:02
WF 2nd W30 03:41 Punt C42 01:18 Punt 7-28 2:23
CU 2nd C20 01:18 Punt W36 15:00 *FIELD GOAL 9-44 1:18
WF 3rd W25 14:55 Kickoff W39 13:16 Punt 4-14 1:39
CU 3rd C20 13:16 Punt W47 09:57 Punt 9-33 3:19
WF 3rd C37 09:57 Punt C35 07:43 *FIELD GOAL 4-2 2:14
CU 3rd W00 07:30 Kickoff W00 07:30 *TOUCHDOWN 0-0 0:00
WF 3rd W48 07:22 Kickoff C41 03:01 Interception 8-11 4:21
CU 3rd C31 03:01 Interception W29 00:41 *FIELD GOAL 5-40 2:20
WF 3rd W18 00:36 Kickoff C16 11:45 Downs 12-66 3:51#
CU 4th C16 11:45 Downs W00 04:16 *TOUCHDOWN 13-84 7:29#
WF 4th W12 04:00 Kickoff C29 00:00 End of half 10-59 4:00
Defensive Statistics
Defensive Statistics (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
Wake Forest
## Player Solo Ast Tot TFL/Yds FF FR-Yd Intc BrUp Blkd Sack/Yds QH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Vaughn, C 9 3 12 . . . . 1 . . .
17 Ghee, B 5 3 8 . . . . 3 . . .
59 Curry, A 5 1 6 . . . . . . . .
51 Russell, J 5 1 6 1.0/1 . . . . . . 2
39 McClinic, C 5 1 6 1.0/6 . . . . . . .
43 Arnoux, S 3 3 6 . . . . . . . .
10 Patterson, K 4 1 5 . . . . . . . .
98 Thompson, J 4 . 4 . . . . . . . .
42 Robinson, M 3 . 3 2.0/8 . . . . . 1.0/6 .
95 Stukes, Z 2 1 3 . . . . . . . .
96 Robinson, B 2 . 2 . . . . . . . .
93 Davis, A 2 . 2 1.0/1 . . . . . . .
2 Smith, A 2 . 2 . . . . . . . .
34 Wilson, A 1 1 2 . . . . . . . .
24 Schofield, C 1 1 2 . . . . . . . .
4 Boldin, D 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
46 Woodlief, M 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
29 Major, K 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
32 Mason, A 1 . 1 1.0/2 . . . . . 1.0/2 .
72 Nenon, R . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
52 Midgett, D . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
Clemson
## Player Solo Ast Tot TFL/Yds FF FR-Yd Intc BrUp Blkd Sack/Yds QH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 Watkins, N 11 3 14 . . . . 1 . . .
25 Hamlin, M 6 2 8 . . . . . . . .
94 Merling, P 5 2 7 3.0/15 . . . 1 . 2.0/10 2
97 Scott, D 4 3 7 . . . . . . . .
18 Butler, C 5 1 6 . . . . . . . .
36 Maxwell, B 5 1 6 1.0/4 . . . . . . .
33 Conner, K 4 2 6 . . . . 1 . . .
7 Sapp, R 2 4 6 1.0/8 . . . . . 1.0/8 1
12 Gilchrist, M 5 . 5 . . . . . . . .
22 Clemons, C 1 4 5 . . . . . . . .
90 Brown, K 3 1 4 1.0/4 . . . . . 1.0/4 .
38 Chancellor, C 3 1 4 . . . 1-12 . . . .
20 Billie, T 2 2 4 1.0/3 . . . 1 . . .
45 Vincent, C 2 2 4 . . . . . . . .
91 Jackson, Ra 2 1 3 1.0/3 . . . . . . .
8 Cumbie, J 2 . 2 1.0/13 . . . . . 1.0/13 .
2 McDaniel, D 1 1 2 1.0/3 . . . . . . .
14 Buchholz, M 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
24 Alexander, K 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
48 Campbell, J . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
99 Jenkins, J . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
Participation Report
Participation Report (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook
Wake Forest vs #20 Clemson (Nov 10, 2007 at Clemson, SC)
Wake Forest Clemson
POS ## OFFENSE POS ## OFFENSE
LT 78 Frazier, L LT 79 Richardson, B
LG 61 McMillin, B LG 68 McDuffie, C
C 74 Justice, S C 65 Austin, T
RG 70 DeGeare, C RG 74 Pilgrim, B
RT 64 Griffin, J RT 67 Capote, C
TE 84 Selmon, Z TE 86 Palmer, M
WR 88 Brinkman, C WR 80 Kelly, A
QB 11 Skinner, R QB 10 Harper, C
RB 27 Adams, J RB 1 Davis, J
WR 21 Moore, K RB 28 Spiller, C
WR 4 Boldin, D WR 13 Grisham, T
POS ## DEFENSE POS ## DEFENSE
DE 42 Robinson, M DE 94 Merling, P
NG 96 Robinson, B NG 97 Scott, D
DT 95 Stukes, Z DT 8 Cumbie, J
DE 98 Thompson, J DE 7 Sapp, R
LB 59 Curry, A LB 20 Billie, T
LB 43 Arnoux, S LB 45 Vincent, C
LB 39 McClinic, C LB 32 Watkins, N
CB 2 Smith, A CB 38 Chancellor, C
SS 9 Vaughn, C SS 25 Hamlin, M
FS 10 Patterson, K FS 22 Clemons, C
CB 17 Ghee, B CB 18 Butler, C
Wake Forest: 2B-Schmidt, T, 3-Andrews, M, 6-Hodges, B, 7-Frye, A, 13-McManus, R, 14-Marion, K, 15-Lowe, D, 18-Bryant, D,
24-Schofield, C, 26-Jones, J, 29-Major, K, 32-Mason, A, 34-Wilson, A, 36-Hill, C, 38-Swank, S, 44-Rinfrette, M, 46-Woodlief, M,
48-Williams, A, 51-Russell, J, 52-Midgett, D, 56-Haynes, H, 58-Carter, M, 63-Conroy, A, 65-Crews, G, 67-Bailey, T, 72-Nenon, R,
73-Gaskin, C, 77-Peterson, B, 79-Brim, M, 82-Williams, J, 85-Wooster, B, 87-Randolph, T, 89-Tereshinski, J, 92-Jarvis, N,
93-Davis, A.
Clemson: 2-McDaniel, D, 5-Taylor, R, 12-Gilchrist, M, 14-Buchholz, M, 16-Wade, M, 17-Wade, C, 21-Dye, X, 24-Alexander, K,
26-Harris, L, 27-Chambers, S, 33-Conner, K, 35-Macko, P, 36-Maxwell, B, 41-Pearson, A, 43-Clay, A, 46-Whetsell, B, 47-Miller, J,
48-Campbell, J, 49-Maners, J, 54-Leonard, C, 57-Murchison, A, 61-Hairston, C, 70-Grant, J, 71-Humphries, B, 76-Lambert, C,
83-Faerber, N, 84-Robinson, A, 87-Ashe, T, 88-Linthicum, B, 89-Chavis, M, 90-Brown, K, 91-Jackson, Ra, 93-Moore, R,
99-Jenkins, J.
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