Offense does enough to win; Parker talks about benching

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Nov 06 22:46:53 GMT-04:00 2010

CLEMSON – The Clemson offense turned the ball over, committed penalties and generally struggled through two-and-half quarters of Saturday’s game.

The defense held the N.C. State Wolfpack offense as well, however, and the offense made enough plays at the end to help pull out a 14-13 win and keep the Tigers’ slim ACC hopes alive.

The offense managed just 260 yards – the third time in the last four weeks the unit has been held to less than 270 yards – but offensive coordinator Billy Napier said he knew it was going to be that type of game.

"We felt like going in, this was the type of game it was going to be,” Napier told reporters after the game. “Our defense had a good plan. I asked Kevin [defensive coordinator Kevin Steele] on Friday, 'Hey, what do I need to win this game?' He said, 'I think I can hold them to 17 [points].' I said, 'I can get to 20. I can get 20.' “

The Tigers didn’t quite make it to 20 points, but Napier said he was just glad his group responded when the game was on the line.

"We put ourselves in a position to score more,” he said. “Obviously, you want to do more than that. The biggest thing is that our kids were in the same type of situation they were in last week and they responded and went and got two touchdowns. We played better as a team in terms of the return game, plus the defense gave us some short fields.

"We had some great drives in the first half, a 14-play drive, two 12-play drives, just methodical. We have to make sure we finish those drives. That's the message. If it's finishing with a field goal, then let's make it. “

Despite the win, Napier said he can’t take too many more games like Saturday’s.

"If we have too many more like this, I'm not going to make it to 50,” he joked. “I'm proud of our quarterback. He showed great resiliency today. He made a similar decision as he did last week. We told him going in that we'd pull him. Best thing that happened is when he got back in; he got back and made big plays late to win the game. I think he was 20-of-29. He made some throws right in the middle of the battle to get the job done and good to see some skill guys make some plays.”

Napier was referring to the benching of starting quarterback Kyle Parker following a second quarter interception. The Tigers had the ball deep in Wolfpack territory, but Parker threw a pass that was intercepted by the Pack.

At the beginning of the next possession, Parker started to take his place in the middle of the offensive huddle, but head coach Dabo Swinney pointed the redshirt sophomore back to the bench.

Parker was visibly upset, and he was out for two series, but responded with a sharp performance following the benching.

Parker said following the game that he wasn’t upset with the benching, but with the fact that no one let him know he was out.

“We have it all settled now,” he said. “But at the time, everyone was caught up in the heat of the moment; no one really told me I was coming out. I was ready to get in the huddle and then they told me I was not in. It was an honest mistake. The reason I was upset was because I just wanted them to tell me the truth about what was really going on so I could be mentally prepared for it.”

Parker said he knew the staff had a few plays in the package for backup Tajh Boyd, but was still surprised that he was yanked after the interception.

“I didn’t know if I threw an interception or committed a turnover I would be out,” he said. “That being said, the mistake that I made last week, I made it this week. They have to do what is best for the team to get us a win. I didn’t feel like I was playing poorly. I am just glad we were able to overcome it and turn it around.”

Napier said he was pleased with how Parker responded.

“I didn't have a chance to talk to him before we did that. Obviously he handled it well,” Napier said. “When he got back in there, I think we played two drives with Tajh and then got Kyle back in the game and he responded the right way. That's part of the game. He expects that kind of accountability. He's that kind of competitor.”

Running back Jamie Harper woke up on Saturday knowing that with backfield mate Andre Ellington out with a foot injury, he would have to carry the majority of the load.

He also woke up sick, and had to be given medication at halftime after he threw up in the locker room, but he still finished with 60 yards rushing and caught three passes for 34 yards.

"Jamie was puking at halftime," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. "He was playing his butt off. He played hard. How much heart can you have for one guy? He laid it on the line for his teammates. I'm happy for him."

Harper said that a sternum injury from over the summer, which he reinjured at Boston College last week, and the sickness made it hard for him to breathe.

"They kind of opened me up with some antibiotics," he said. "This morning, I woke up and was coughing, throwing up. I just had to put it behind me and go make it work. I had to come out here and get it done for my team.”