NCAA ranks: Austin Bryant jumps into top-10 in TFLs

Austin Bryant posted seven tackles, including two for loss, on Saturday to crack the top-10 in TFLs.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Oct 08 10:40:42 GMT-04:00 2017

Junior defensive end Austin Bryant moved up the NCAA ranks after another monster game Saturday.

Bryant is now sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.75) after two TFLs in seven stops Saturday versus Wake Forest. He is also top-20 in sacks per game (18) on a defensive group that ranks fifth with a little over 3.5 sacks a game (3.67).

Overall, Clemson is in the top-10 in seven key stats we’re tracking, where in addition to sacks per game the Tigers moved to fourth in fourth down offense (.875), fifth in scoring defense (11.3 PPG), fifth in red zone touchdown percentage (85) and eighth in total defense (264.3 YPG) and red zone offense (.950).

In red zone defense, Clemson jumped from 42nd to 13th (.692) with two stops in four Wake Forest tries, but dropped out of the top-25 in red zone touchdown percentage thanks to the two fourth-quarter scores (28th, 46.2).

This week brings a new name in the individual standouts, where after a strong outing Saturday, punt returner Ray Ray McCloud is up to 25th in yards per return (10.1).

In the ACC, Clemson fell behind Georgia Tech for the top total defense in the league with the Yellow Jackets on a bye week (260 YPG). Georgia Tech has only played four games, but they also lead the ACC in passing defense (158.3 YPG), rushing offense (396 YPG) and third down offense (53.3 percent).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Fourth down offense – 4 (.875), scoring defense – 5 (11.3 PPG), red zone TD percentage – 5 (85), sacks per game – 5 (3.67), team sacks 5 (3.67), total defense – 8 (264.3 YPG), red zone offense – 8 (.950), team tackles for loss – 11 (8), third down offense – 11 (.489 percent), first downs offense – 11 (143), rushing defense – 13 (98.8), pass efficiency defense – 13 (105.18 rating), red zone defense – 13 (.692), third down defense – 14 (0.278), passing defense – 15 (165.5), first downs defense – 17 (84), rushing offense – 20 (237.3), fewest penalty yards per game – 24 (40.67), total offense – 25 (471).

Other key stats

Red zone defense TD percentage – 28 (46.2), scoring offense – 39 (35), turnover margin – 72 (-0.17).

Top individual national ranks

DE Austin Bryant – Tackles for loss per game 6 (1.75), sacks per game 18 (0.83).

RB Travis Etienne – Yards per carry 12 (8.22).

QB Kelly Bryant – Completion percentage 18 (67.3), rushing TDs 19 (7).

PR Ray Ray McCloud – Punt return average 25 (10.1).

P Will Spiers – Punt yards average 29 (44)

ACC team stat rankings

Total offense: 3 (Leader: Louisville, 557.8)

Total defense: 2 (Leader: Georgia Tech, 260)

Passing offense: 9, 233.7 (Leader: Louisville, 363.3)