Clemson Recovers With 45-17 Win Over The Citadel |
Clemson, SC -- On the long road back to respectability Clemson played well enough to keep from being sidetracked by The Citadel.
Clemson's win over The Citadel came as expected, 45-17. While there were sufficient mistakes that would have been problematic against a better opponent, the Bulldogs allowed Clemson to earn some respect back. Despite two fumbles the offense was able to move the ball efficiently. Despite allowing 338 yards through the air, the defense stole 3 interceptions, all by Michael Hamlin. One could look inside the win and find plenty that the Tigers still need to be worried about, but for a Saturday after a devastating loss it was just what the Tigers needed. "It's always good to get a win like this," said Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. "We felt so bad after last week. We had to listen to how bad we are. It was good to be able to play a game like this." James Davis fumbled on Clemson's first drive and the Tigers turned the ball over on downs on their second drive. However, Clemson never allowed The Citadel to make a game of it, even if The Bulldogs were able to move the ball through the air enough to give Clemson something to think about. It was the secondary and Hamlin in particular that kept The Citadel from getting back into the game after the Tigers went up 21-0 on two touchdown runs by C.J. Spiller and a TD run by James Davis. With Clemson leading 21-7 late in the first half, The Citadel scored on a 41-yard pass from Bart Blanchard to Andre Roberts. Then the Bulldogs were in position to score again after they forced Clemson to punt. A touchdown that would have brought the Bulldogs within a score going into halftime was prevented when Hamlin intercepted a Blanchard pass. "I felt like he just threw it to me," said Hamlin, who was sitting in the middle of the field waiting for the ball near midfield. On the fourth play of the second half Hamlin intercepted Blanchard again and returned the ball to the Citadel 19 yard line. A Tyler Grisham fumble kept Clemson from scoring, but on Clemson's next drive Spiller scored on a 17-yard TD run to put Clemson safely up 28-7. Hamlin's third interception came on The Citadel's next drive. He stole the ball at the Bulldog 37 and returned it to the 25. On the next play, Cullen Harper hit tight end Michael Palmer down the right sideline for a touchdown. Harper completed 14 of 18 passes for 192 yards. While The Citadel held the ball seven more minutes than the Tigers, Harper's efficiency allowed Clemson to easily put away the Bulldogs. "I thought their quarterback did an excellent job managing the offense," said Bowden. "Cullen was 14 for 18 so both of them went out there and managed the game well. I was glad that Rob [Spence] was stayed patient and kept throwing the ball." Davis finished with 107 yards and Spiller had 75 yards rushing to aid the offense. Clemson opens its conference season against N.C. State next Saturday at noon.
CIT CU
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