Clemson by the numbers: Tigers move to No. 1 in scoring and passing defense

Clemson sits just a half yard out of the No. 1 total defense ranking.

Brandon Rink - Assoc. Editor / Staff Writer - Sunday, December 01 2019

Another dominant performance defensively moved Clemson to No. 1 spot in both scoring defense (10.1 PPG) and passing defense (both in yards allowed, 126.5 and efficiency rating, 89.42) this weekend.

The Tigers sit now just a half-yard off from Ohio State's hold on the No. 1 total defense (yards allowed; 232.8), with a top-5 rating on third downs as well (5th, 27.8 percent).

On the offensive side, Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers converted 12 of 17 third down tries to move 15 spots into the top-25 in third down offense (23rd, 46.3). The Clemson offense has top-10 marks in total yards (3rd), first downs gained (4th), sacks allowed (4th), scoring (4th) and rushing yards (10th).

Tee Higgins' big day (three catches for 101 yards, 2 TDs) moved him to No. 6 in yards per catch nationally (20.9) and top-25 in receiving TDs (23rd; 10).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

First downs defense - 1 (138 allowed), pass efficiency defense - 1 (89.42 rating), passing defense - 1 (126.5 YPG), scoring defense - 1 (10.1 PPG), total defense - 2 (232.8), total offense - 3 (541.8), first downs offense - 4 (321 gained), sacks allowed - 4 (.92), scoring offense - 4 (45.3 PPG), third down defense - 5 (27.8 percent), red zone TD percentage defense - T-5 (38.1 percent), turnovers gained - 6 (25), tackles for loss - 6 (8.3), turnover margin - 7 (.92), fumbles lost 7 (4), rushing offense - 10 (256.4), defensive TDs - 11 (3), rushing defense - 11 (106.3), red zone TD percentage offense - 12 (74.1), red zone defense - 12 (71.4), tackles for loss allowed - 12 (4.33), kickoff return defense 12 (17.29), fumbles recovered - 13 (11), passes intercepted - 14 (14), passing efficiency - 18 (158.25), team sacks - 18 (2.92 per), completion percentage - 19 (65.6), fourth down defense - 21 (40), third down offense - 23 (46.3), fewest penalty yards - 25 (547), fewest penalty yards per game - 25 (45.6), passing offense - 25 (285.3).

Other key stats

Kickoff returns - 47 (21.75), red zone offense - 52 (86.2).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne - Rushing yards per carry 1 (8.25), total touchdowns 9 (18), rushing yards per game 6 (121.4), total points scored 8 (90), rushing TDs 9 (16), rushing yards 10 (1,386), all purpose yards 12 (143.75), scoring 17 (9).

Trevor Lawrence - Points responsible for 5 (222), points responsible for per game 6 (18.5), passing efficiency 9 (171.5), passing yards per attempt 10 (9.11), passing TDs 11 (30), completion percentage 10 (68.6), passing yards per completion 27 (13.29), passing yards 29 (2,870), total offense 29 (271.1).

Tee Higgins - Yards per reception 6 (20.9), receiving TDs 23 (10).

Amari Rodgers - Punt returns 14 (10.6).

Tanner Muse - Total interceptions 14 (4), interceptions per game 23 (0.3).

(Stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)