Instant Analysis: Clemson 52, Ball St. 27

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Sep 08 15:47:28 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – Instant Analysis: Clemson 45, Ball St. 10

What went right: Clemson’s passing attack was on point for most of the half, and it started on the first drive of the game. Boyd threw one pass into triple coverage – and it resulted in a first down for the Tigers.

Boyd was out midway through the second quarter, and he finished 19-for-23 for 229 yards and three touchdowns.

Three different receivers caught at least three passes in the first quarter for Clemson, and Nuk Hopkins continued his good work in the season’s first two games. Hopkins finished the half with six catches for 105 yards and a school-record tying three touchdowns.

Following Clemson’s third touchdown, Ball St. was called for a personal foul and Clemson took the extra point off the board and went for two, getting the conversion on a plunge by Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Sr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile .

Linebacker Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
So. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile intercepted the first pass of his career in the second quarter, setting up the Tigers with a short field at the Ball St. 39-yard line. Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
Jr. Cornerback
#21 5-10, 175
College Park, GA
View Full Profile also intercepted a pass.

Clemson was able to play several reserves in the second half, including some of the first game action for Spencer RegionSpencer Region
RS Fr. Offensive Guard
#74 6-5, 360
Cullman, AL
View Full Profile , Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Fr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 270
Mauldin, SC
View Full Profile , Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Fr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 275
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile , Kevin DoddKevin Dodd
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-5, 280
Greer, SC
View Full Profile , Bradley PinionBradley Pinion
Fr. Punter
#92 6-6, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile , Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS So. Punter / Kicker
#36 5-10, 175
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile and others.

Bronze Star winner and combat veteran Daniel RodriguezDaniel Rodriguez
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#83 5-8, 175
Stafford, VA
View Full Profile notched his first career catch in the fourth quarter.

Bradley Pinion hit a couple of booming punts in his first game action, including a 48-yarder out of his own endzone.

Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
So. Quarterback
#8 6-5, 205
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile engineered a touchdown drive, tossing a 22-yard scoring strike to Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
So. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile for Clemson ‘s only second half points.

The Tigers recovered an onside kick in the second quarter, setting Clemson’s fourth touchdown.

What went wrong: Starting left guard David BeasleyDavid Beasley
RS So. Offensive Guard
#68 6-4, 315
Columbus, GA
View Full Profile left late in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury. He did not play the rest of the half.

Clemson’s defense continues to give up big plays, giving up a 54-yard TD run to Horactio Banks. Banks burst through the middle and found very little resistance from the defense. Banks later added a 21-yard touchdown run and finished with 120 yards on just seven carries for a 17.1 yards per carry average.

In all, Ball St. rushed for 252 yards in the game and averaged 6.3 yards per carry.

Clemson’s defensive backs played deep on the Ball St. receivers, allowing for easy completions on curl routes.

The Tigers missed the extra point after the first touchdown.

Turning Point of the Game: Ball St. won the kickoff and deferred to the second half. Clemson took the first drive and scored a touchdown and never looked back.

Stat of the Game: Spencer BentonSpencer Benton
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#13 6-1, 195
Myrtle Beach, SC
View Full Profile kicked a 61-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, putting Clemson up 45-10. The 61 yards sets a Clemson record, breaking the previous high of 57 yards by Obed Ariri. The 45 points in the half was also the most points in a half for Clemson since the Tigers scored 49 against Wake Forest in 1981. Clemson also had 382 yards of total offense, 191 in each quarter.