CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Inside Look: Grading Clemson versus Pitt
Rodgers has been there when needed by Clemson's QBs. (ACC photo).

Inside Look: Grading Clemson versus Pitt


by - Staff Writer -

Clemson bounced back in style to close out its scheduled home slate with a 52-17 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. We take a deeper look into the game with the help of Pro Football Focus:

Three standouts (offense)

QB Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence announced his presence back on the national scene by shaking off a 4-for-8 start passing to connect on 22-of-his-last-29 throws and total 403 yards passing. Lawrence graded the second-best in the nation among Power 5 QBs this week (90.3; Florida’s Kyle Trask, 90.7 on top). Showing what a junior season he’s had, that grade is actually his fourth-best of the season and third-best against Power 5 competition.

WR Amari Rodgers

Rodgers continues to be Mr. Reliable for Clemson’s QBs after bringing in 10 catches in 11 targets for 93 yards for the second-best grade on the Tiger offense Saturday (76.3). He also posted his second-best run blocking game of the season (79 in 17 run blocking snaps). Rodgers had quite the catch called back as well.

WR Cornell Powell

And Powell continues to be a big-play threat after a third-straight game of triple-digit receiving yards with six grabs for 176 yards and a TD. He averaged a season-high 10 yards after catch and graded well as a run blocker as well against the Panthers (77.3).

Offense grade notes

* Clemson’s effort on the ground rated the second-best of the season (78.4; 86.5 v. Miami the best-graded) with 145 yards on 38 rushes against a top-10 unit against the run. The run blocking didn’t correlate with that improved effort according to PFF, however, grading the worst of the season there (58.9).

* Overall, Clemson posted its third-best offensive grade of the season (81.3) with its strongest rating Saturday in the passing game (82.2).

Three standouts (defense)

DB Malcolm Greene

PFF named Greene its true freshman of the week after leading Clemson defensive regulars Saturday with an 87.3 grade. “With Clemson being without a few key guys in the secondary, Greene was thrust into the starting lineup and excelled,” PFF’s Anthony Treash said. “The freshman locked down the slot for the Tigers, with just two catches allowed for 24 yards; he came away with an interception, a forced incompletion and a passing stop en route to an 85.5 coverage grade for the game.”

CB Mario Goodrich

Goodrich is another Tiger who stepped in when needed and graded well (79.2), getting his hands on two interceptions and allowing only one catch in four targets his way.

LB James Skalski

Skalski making an impact is no surprise but it is impressive after speeding up his comeback from injury (groin) to plug in and get three stops in six tackles and a QB hurry.

Defense grade notes

* Not surprisingly after a four-pick game, Clemson’s coverage graded well (80.5; third-best of season) on what rated as the third-best defensive effort overall this season (81.7). Down one of its highest-grading defenders (Derion Kendrick, disciplinary reasons), the unit recovered from its two worst efforts in back-to-back games with Boston College (51.6) and Notre Dame (52.9).

* The top mark went to the run defense Saturday (80.8), which held Pitt to 0.7 yards per carry on 24 attempts.

* In more limited snaps, linebacker LaVonta Bentley (96.4 grade) stood out with a sack, forced fumble and two total stops over five plays, and Jordan Williams (94.5) also impressed with two QB hurries in seven plays after being honored with the seniors pregame.

Three downs

DE Justin Mascoll

Mascoll was dinged for a missed tackle and registered two QB hurries in his 24 snaps for a game-low 41.8 grade.

DE Myles Murphy

Continuing the trend for Clemson’s young D-ends, the true freshman posted his season-low grade (54.7) with one tackle in 32 snaps.

LG Matt Bockhorst

Bockhorst rated the lowest among offensive starters (56.5) and PFF had him in the category of linemen struggling in the run blocking (61).

(Grades and stats via Pro Football Focus)

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Brandon Rink: Email | Comment
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Post your comments!