Maryland Review

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Nov 12, 2012, 11:07 AM

Maryland Review

I got a text from a friend in the second quarter of the Clemson-Maryland game Saturday that read, "I thought the Orange and White game is in the spring."

Saturday saw Clemson beat an inferior opponent once again but it also saw the Tigers beat the spread. I usually don't care about the spread but it does show that Clemson is beating opponents worse than expected week in and week out. Clemson has covered the spread in every game this season except Ball State.

There were a lot of positives that came out of Saturday. Clemson established the school record for consecutive wins at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers have now won 12 in a row at home. Previous mark was 11 in a row from 1989-91. The victory also tied the school record for consecutive home wins regardless of home site. Clemson won 12 in a row from 1927-30 at Riggs Field.

For the third straight week the staff got to empty the bench and saw new players emerge with excellent performances. Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
So. Wide Receiver
#16 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , Stanton SeckingerStanton Seckinger
RS So. Tight End
#81 6-4, 210
Isle of Palms, SC
View Full Profile and Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
So. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile scored their first career touchdowns.

The Tigers scored 35 points in the first half for third straight game. This was the first time in school history that Clemson accomplished that feat.

The defense held Maryland to just 180 yards of total offense. That is the fewest yards of total offense allowed by Clemson since October 31, 2009 when the Tigers held Coastal Carolina to 170 yards. It is also the fewest yards by an ACC team since 2009 when Clemson held Wake Forest to 178 yards of total offense.

The defense allowed only 10 first downs, 139 yards rushing, 41 yards passing and 180 total yards. They held Maryland to 1-13 on third down conversions. The Terps' 10 points came on two scoring drives of 18 yards and 8 yards. Over the last four games Clemson has allowed just 15 points per game. To top it off, the the defense came up with a defensive touchdown.

Offensively this was impressive because Maryland had been a top ten defense for most of the season. On Saturday, 45 points against a solid defense was impressive. The Tigers totaled 26 first downs, 301 passing and they were 7-15 on third down. The only negative came in the form of three turnovers.

The running game was not clicking on all cylinders but Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile looked healthy once again. Rod McDowell continued to show improvement with 11carries for 51 yards.

This time last season Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile torched the Terrapin defense and special teams but he did not have to play the second half this past weekend after getting a calf injury on the opening kickoff. Watkins could have played but there was not reason to risk further injury.

Nuk Hopkins scored again but like Watkins, he was held out after the game was out of reach. So Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile turned his attention to Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile , Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC
View Full Profile , Humphries, Brandon FordBrandon Ford
Gr. Tight End
#80 6-4, 240
Wando, SC
View Full Profile and Seckininger in the passing game.

The reserves got a ton of snaps again. The defenses snaps totals were:

Anthony 29

Barnes 20

Beasley 19

Blanks 43

Breeland 23

Brewer 30

Byers 14

Christian 18

Crawford 30

Davis 26

Dodd 13

Goodman 24

Goodson 2

Hall 40

Jarrett 18

Meeks 35

Peters 30

Reader 14

Shuey 26

Smith 20

Steward 16

Thomas 3

Townsend 13

Watkins 22

Watson 17

Willard 30

Williams 18

Wright 10

In summary, we knew going in that this Maryland offense was crushed with injuries but it was nice to see the Tigers not play down to the competition. It was nice to see Anthony get back on track with 10 tackles. It gave players like Cortez DavisCortez Davis
RS Fr. Cornerback
#29 6-3, 200
Daytona Beach, FL
View Full Profile , Lateek TownsendLateek Townsend
So. Linebacker
#20 6-2, 215
Bennettsville, SC
View Full Profile and Tony StewardTony Steward
So. Linebacker
#7 6-1, 235
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile more snaps as well.

The offense did turn it over but scored 45 points (38 offensive points) against a pretty good defense and a bunch of reserves got valuable experience.

Finally, D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 195
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile , McDowell and Watkins were banged up but they should be back this week for the final two weeks of the regular season (two huge weeks with a lot left to play for). And when other programs have struggled against lesser opponents (Florida vs Louisiana Lafayette), Clemson just continues to put lesser opponents away early.

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Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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