Commentary: Strange Twists to Clemson-USC Game |
CLEMSON — To say Saturday's Clemson-USC game had a Twilight Zone-esque feel
to it would be akin to calling the space shuttle a neat little rocket. If there's been a stranger contest between the two, none in recent memory comes to mind. Any game with two passes intercepted by defensive lineman qualifies for that honor on its own merit. But it was more than that. Aaron Hunt's two field goals were just Clemson's second and third in its last six games. And South Carolina quarterback Phil Petty spent the third quarter playing catch with Tigers' cornerback Alex Ardley. Even Ardley's two interceptions raised eyebrows, because the last thing burned worse than Clemson's secondary in recent weeks was Atlanta when coach Sherman came to town. And after running Derek Watson 13 times for 124 yards in the first half, why didn't Skippy keep pounding the ball at Clemson's defense? By the time the offensive Holtz went back to his sophomore tailback with any consistency, both Watson and the offensive line had lost their combined rhythm. Of course, Clemson's offense was no thing of beauty, either. Woody Dantzler's continued tendency to drop his head and run at the slightest sign of pressure cost the Tigers several potentially lucrative passing plays. And receivers spent more time slipping and sliding than a pee wee hockey team. The first half alone was a comedy of errors. It started with South Carolina's Ryan Brewer inexplicably picking up a punt at the seven, a kick that very well may have rolled into the end zone. All Brewer got for his efforts was a pounding by the Clemson coverage team and an earful from Lou Holtz. Not to be outdone, Clemson's Travis Zachery threw what may have been the world's worst halfback option pass at the most inopportune time imaginable. Facing third-and-four from the Gamecock 15, Zachery took the pitch and rolled to his right under pressure. But instead of just eating the ball, running out of bounds and setting up a field goal attempt (emphasis on attempt), Zachery s topped, whirled back to his left and threw a wounded duck as he fell backwards. No surprise then that was intercepted by defensive lineman Cleveland Pinkney. Then there were the penalties. The Gamecocks committed three personal fouls, and for good measure added an offensive pass interference that cost them a touchdown. Clemson added a personal foul of its own, and spent nearly as many plays lined up in the neutral zone on defense as it did on its own side of the ball. And the officials? Well, let's just say the striped shirts had more conferences than a convention of Legionaries. And we're still trying to figure out how a punt that rolls into the leg of an unwitting return-team blocker isn't a fumble. The official explanation that the recovery was nullified because the player was blocked into the ball doesn't fly. Sorry Mr. Swofford. Your boys can do better. We think.
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