Clemson by the numbers: Tigers move to No. 1 in total defense going into CFP

Clemson is No. 1 in total and scoring defense now.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Dec 08 10:46:59 GMT-04:00 2019

Clemson enters the College Football Playoff with as impressive a statistical profile as any team in the nation.

After Saturday’s 62-17 drubbing of Virginia, Clemson ranks No. 1 in both total and scoring defense, as well as passing yards allowed and pass efficiency defense.

Dabo Swinney’s Tigers also rate in the top-5 in total offense (3), turnovers gained (3), scoring offense (4), turnover margin (5), red zone TD percentage defense (5) and sacks allowed (5).

Individually, Travis Etienne heads into the postseason No. 1 in yards per carry (8.24). Trevor Lawrence ranks fifth in passing touchdowns (34) and points responsible for (246). Tee Higgins is sixth in both yards per reception (20.9) and receiving touchdowns (13).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

First downs defense - 1 (161 allowed), pass efficiency defense - 1 (92.81 rating), passing defense - 1 (138.5 YPG), scoring defense - 1 (10.6 PPG), total defense - 1 (244.7), total offense - 3 (547.7), first downs offense - 3 (349 gained), turnovers gained - 3 (28), passes intercepted - 3 (17), scoring offense - 4 (46.5 PPG), sacks allowed - 5 (1), red zone TD percentage defense - 5 (40 percent), turnover margin - 5 (1.08), fumbles lost 7 (4),rushing defense - 9 (106.2), tackles for loss - 10 (7.8), red zone TD percentage offense - 10 (75), rushing offense - 10 (252.9), passing efficiency - 11 (163.39), defensive TDs - 11 (3), third down defense - 11 (38.1 percent), red zone defense - 12 (72), tackles for loss allowed - 12 (4.54), fumbles recovered - 13 (11), completion percentage - 15 (66.1), third down offense - 14 (47.4), kickoff return defense 16 (17.56), team sacks - 22 (2.85 per), fourth down defense - 20 (38.1), passing offense - 20 (294.8), fewest penalty yards per game - 21 (44).

Other key stats

Kickoff returns - 39 (22.2), red zone offense - 44 (87.5).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne - Rushing yards per carry 1 (8.24), rushing yards 6 (1,500), total touchdowns 7 (19), rushing yards per game 10 (115.4), total points scored 10 (114), rushing TDs 8 (17), all purpose yards 12 (144.62), scoring 19 (8.8).

Trevor Lawrence - Points responsible for 5 (246), passing TDs 5 (34), points responsible for per game 6 (18.9), passing efficiency 7 (176.5), passing yards per attempt 9 (9.41), completion percentage 10 (68.8), passing yards per completion 21 (13.67), passing yards 21 (3,172), total offense 26 (275.3).

Tee Higgins - Yards per reception 6 (20.9), receiving TDs 6 (13), receiving yards 19 (1,082), receiving per game (83.2).

Tanner Muse - Total interceptions 17 (4).

BT Potter - Total points scored 17 (110), scoring 28 (8.5).

(Stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)