NC State Review

Mickey Plyler · Radio Host · Monday, September 23 2013

NC State Review

We got back to the hotel late Thursday night and I spent Friday traveling back to Clemson and preparing for high school football, so I didn’t get a chance to write a blog following Clemson's win at NC State.

First, our thoughts and prayers go out to Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Mooresboro, NC
View Full Profile, his friends and their families following the tragic accident Saturday. Watkins was a passenger in a single car accident when the automobile hydroplaned. Watkins’ friend was killed and Watkins was trapped for an hour. This has to be a very difficult time for him and everyone involved. I hope the families can find some peace in the future.

Our prayers are also with Clemson special teams coordinator, tight end and tackle coach Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends
View Full Profile. His father is in the care of the fine people at Hospice in Charlotte. Again, it is my hope that peace can find his family as well.

In a much less significant standpoint, many Tiger fans' worries were dodged Sunday when the polls came out and Clemson did not drop in either poll. Clemson stayed number three in the Associated Press poll and number four in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

It was fairly obvious to me that the Tigers did not play up to the standard that is preached by the staff Thursday night. The Tigers looked sloppy on offense and missed several opportunities. They let State hang around and the game was much closer than it should have been.

I give State credit in that the environment was exactly what I thought it would be. Thursday night road teams face a difficult challenge and the fans at NC State care about football. It was very good atmosphere in Carter-Finley Stadium.

I also thought State played really hard. They have a good front seven on defense and had a nice game plan. Offensively they are limited by their quarterback, but they showed a lot of motion and different sets than they showed in the first two games.

Meanwhile, Clemson had several opportunities to put the game away early and the Tigers failed to do so.

Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile was off once again. The senior was 24 of 37 for 244 yards and had three touchdowns without an interception, but he was not as sharp as usual. I like the fact that Clemson didn’t turn the ball over and I liked Boyd's toughness in the running game, but he missed open receivers on three occasions that could’ve made a difference. Boyd did not step up in the pocket and instead rolled to his right too often, in my eyes.

The running game was solid with McDowell's 68 yards, Howard's 48 yards and Brooks’ 17 yards. Clemson rushed for 171 yards on the road against a team that was determined to stop the run.

Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile had a nice game with 10 catches for 96 yards. Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile caught six balls for 73 yards and two scores. Hopper added four catches. Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 205
Vance, SC
View Full Profile had a key 25-yard reception for a first down and Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Jr. Tight End
#86 6-5, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile had a great catch for a touchdown.

The offensive line struggled early when Gifford TimothyGifford Timothy
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#70 6-6, 310
Middletown, DE
View Full Profile allowed two sacks, but Shaq AnthonyShaq Anthony
RS So. Offensive Tackle
#76 6-3, 265
Williamston, SC
View Full Profile and Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
So. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
Brooklyn, NY
View Full Profile appeared to play well in relief. Battle's effort was scarred by his ejection late in the game.

Defensively the Tigers played well with the exception of allowing four fourth-down conversions on State's last drive. Clemson held the Wolfpack to 3 of 16 on third downs, but NC State converted 4 of 5 on fourth downs.

I thought Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Jr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile played well once again. He had 16 tackles plus two tackles for a loss. Spencer ShueySpencer Shuey
Gr. Linebacker
#33 6-3, 230
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile had 12 tackles and recovered a fumble. Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS Jr. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC
View Full Profile had a nice game in the secondary with six tackles, with two passes broken up and an interception.

Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile had three sacks and now leads the nation in sacks. Shaq LawsonShaq Lawson
Fr. Defensive End
#90 6-4, 260
Central, SC
View Full Profile had his best game with two tackles for a loss and a sack. It was another very good performance from the front seven.

The corners played well in my eyes, but the safeties once again struggled with bad angles and gave up some big plays.

Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
Gr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile broke the all-time scoring record with another solid performance. Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
So. Punter
#92 6-5, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile was a little banged up but he punted and kicked okay. I thought the coverage teams played very well once again.

In the end, it was not a dominating performance against an outmanned opponent. However, it was a 12-point win on the road on a Thursday night in a tough environment. It was a win the Tigers had to have and one that keeps them in line for bigger and better things.

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Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.