Clemson by the numbers: Tigers only team with top-10 offense, defense nationally

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Oct 07 14:38:44 GMT-04:00 2018

Saturday's 60-point win at Wake Forest was good enough to earn a solid milestone halfway through the regular season.

Clemson is the only team ranked in the top-10 on offense (8th, 531 YPG) and defense (3rd, 261.2) currently, vaulting eight spots in total offense with nearly 700 yards at Wake Forest (698).

On the defensive side, the Tigers also rank in the top-10 in tackles for loss a game (4th; 9.5), passing defense (7th; 152.8), scoring defense (7th; 14.5 PPG), sacks per game (8th; 3.3) and third down defense (9th; .278).

Individually, the NCAA counts Travis Etienne as second nationally in yards per carry (9.17) and top-10 in rushing touchdowns (4th; 11), rushing yards (4th; 761) and rushing yards per game (7th; 126.8). CFBStats.com has a lower threshold for carries per game to be ranked and has freshman Lyn-J Dixon as second nationally with his 11 YPC average on 27 attempts.

Freshman QB Trevor Lawrence holds a top-25 mark in pass efficiency (11th; 174.2), completion percentage (15th; .690) yards per pass attempt (21st; 8.68) and passing touchdowns (24th; 11).

Freshman receiver Justyn Ross replaced Tee Higgins in the top-25 nationally in yards per reception (25th; 20.40 with his third touchdown catch of 50-plus yards this season on Saturday.

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Total defense – 3 (261.2 YPG), TFL per game – 4 (9.5), rushing offense - 5 (280.83), passing defense - 7 (152.8), scoring defense – 7 (14.5 PPG), sacks per game – 8 (3.3), total offense – 8 (531), third down defense - 9 (.278), TFL allowed - 14 (4.2 per game), kickoff return defense - 15 (16.2 YPG), red zone TD percentage – 16 (78.3), rushing defense – 17 (108.3), scoring offense – 18 (42.2), fewest penalties per game - 18 (4.5).

Other key stats

Passing efficiency – 26 (156.20), red zone offense – 26 (.913), red zone defense TD percentage – 28 (52.94), kickoff returns – 29 (24.14), pass efficiency defense - 33 (116.85 rating), red zone defense – 34 (.765), sacks allowed - 46 (1.67), punt returns – 49 (10.4), third down offense – 58 (.408), turnover margin – 76 (-.17).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne – Rushing yards per carry 2 (9.17), rushing touchdowns 4 (11), total touchdowns 4 (12), rushing yards 4 (761), rushing yards per game 7 (126.8), all-purpose yards 22 (130.67).

Clelin Ferrell – Sacks 10 (1 per game).

Trevor Lawrence – Pass efficiency 11 (174.2), completion percentage 15 (.690), passing touchdowns 24 (11), yards per attempt 21 (8.68).

Justyn Ross – Yards per reception 25 (20.4).

Amari Rodgers – Punt returns 25 (10.9).

(National and individual stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)