Grading the Tigers vs Virginia |
QUARTERBACK- Rumor has it that Woodrow Dantzler skipped the team bus
ride out of Charlottesville so he could go ahead and run through the rest of Virginia. Thanks largely to the efforts of the junior quarterback, the Tigers find themselves ranked 5th nationally in rushing offense as they prepare to take on a sickly Duke squad this Saturday. Grade: A+ RUNNING BACKS- While Travis Zachery and Bernard Rambert combined for a respectable 100 yards rushing against Virginia, it seems that the Clemson tailback duo forgot one key thing as they ripped through the Cavalier line: the football. Despite the turnovers, the Tigers were still able to dominate against Virginia. Don't expect other opponents to be so forgiving. Grade: C- OFFENSIVE LINE- Dantzler is great, but without excellent blocking up front, he would just become average. With 327 yards rushing and no quarterback sacks allowed, the Clemson offensive line truly paved the way for a spectacular offensive performance. A lack of attention comes with the territory, but it's time that this unit starts getting its due. Grade: A+ RECEIVERS- Matt Bailey looked sharp against Virginia after missing the Tigers' previous two games with a groin injury. Bailey led Clemson with 64 yards on four receptions while Rod Gardner hauled in four passes and Jackie Robinson snagged the Tigers' only touchdown pass of the afternoon. Perhaps most importantly, the Clemson receivers provided Dantzler with spectacular downfield blocking. Grade: A DEFENSIVE LINE- Despite a slow start, the Clemson defensive line came on strong in the second half, effectively shutting down the run and consistently pressuring Virginia quarterback Dan Ellis. Not a spectacular day, but a solid performance nonetheless. Grade: B LINEBACKERS- Braxton K. Williams was huge against Virginia with five unassisted tackles, one sack, a tackle for loss, and two passes broken up. Keith Adams' sack of Ellis in the first quarter forced the Cavaliers to settle for a field goal while his presence in the Virginia backfield led to a number of quarterback hurries. Grade: A- SECONDARY- Darrell Crutchfield may have been burned a few times on Saturday but he came up big when it counted, breaking up two passes, including one in the third quarter that led to an Alex Ardley interception. When Virginia runners broke into the secondary, the sure tackling of Charles Hafley and Robert Carswell effectively quelled any possibilities of a big play. Grade: A- SPECIAL TEAMS- The Good: Joe Don Reaves' spectacular 69-yard punt return for touchdown; Jamie Somaini's booming punts (50.3-yard average on three attempts). The Bad: Clemson's kickoff coverage that allowed nearly 30 yards per return, including a 45-yard burst by Virginia's Tavon Mason; Aaron Hunt's 34-yard missed field goal to end the first half. The Ugly: Travis Zachery's critical fumble of a Mike Abrams punt that led to Virginia's first and only touchdown. Grade: C- COACHING- It would be hard to find fault in Clemson's offensive or defensive game plans. Offensively, Rich Rodriguez did an excellent job of keeping the Cavaliers off-balance, and when Dantzler started to find his groove, the offensive staff certainly made it work to their advantage. Defensively, the Tigers stiffened at critical times despite being put in some unfavorable positions thanks to turnovers. In short, without four giveaways, this game would have been an even greater Tiger rout. Grades: Offense: A/ Defense: A
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