Clemson by the numbers: Tiger defense continues to vault up rankings

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Oct 20, 2019, 10:23 AM

Another lockdown defensive performance improved a number of statistical rankings for Brent Venables' defense.

Clemson allowed just 107 passing yards, 4.9 yards per pass and picked off two Louisville attempts to move to No. 3 nationally in both passing defense (144.1) and passing efficiency defense (91.28).

The Tigers are also now top-5 in sacks (4th; 4 per game), red zone TD percentage defense (4th; 40 percent) and total defense (5th; 256 YPG) and also top-10 in passes intercepted (6th; 10), defensive TDs (7th; 2), scoring defense (8th; 12 PPG), turnovers gained (9th; 15) and tackles for loss (9th; 8.3).

Individually, Travis Etienne is up to third in yards per carry (7.97). Isaiah Simmons is now top-20 in solo tackles (17th; 5.7), tackles for loss (18th; 1.4) and sacks (20th; .86).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Passing defense - 3 (144.1 YPG), pass efficiency defense - 3 (91.28 rating), team sacks - 4 (4 per), sacks allowed - 4 (.71), red zone TD percentage defense - 4 (40), first downs defense - 4 (91 allowed), total defense - 5 (256), passes intercepted - 6 (10), defensive TDs - 7 (2), scoring defense - 8 (12 PPG), turnovers gained - 9 (15), tackles for loss - 9 (8.3), scoring offense - 10 (40 PPG), total offense - 10 (504.7), rushing offense - 10 (247.3 YPG), kickoff return defense - 11 (16.9 per), tackles for loss allowed - 12 (4), third down defense - 13 (30.3), fourth down defense - 16 (30.8), first downs offense - 17 (174 gained), red zone defense - 19 (73.3 percent), rushing defense - 25 (111.9).

Other key stats

Red zone TD percentage offense - 29 (70), third down offense - 38 (43 percent), turnover margin - 42 (.29), passing offense - 47 (257.4), passing efficiency - 52 (142.56), red zone offense - 64 (83.3), kickoff returns - 65 (21.13).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne - Rushing yards per carry 3 (7.97), rushing yards 10 (781).

Tee Higgins - Yards per reception 5 (22.08), receiving yards per game 30 (78.9).

Tanner Muse - Total interceptions 10 (3), interceptions per game 15 (045).

Trevor Lawrence - Points responsible for 14 (114), points responsible for per game 18 (16.3), passing TDs 26 (14).

Isaiah Simmons - Solo tackles 17 (5.7), tackles for loss 18 (1.4), sacks 20 (.86).