Instant Analysis: Clemson 38, Auburn 24

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Sep 17 15:40:33 GMT-04:00 2011

What went right: After Clemson looked ineffective on the first three offensive series, quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS So. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 230
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile and the Clemson passing game warmed up and several Clemson offensive players wounds up having career days against Auburn as Clemson racked up 626 yards of total offense.

Freshman wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Fr. Wide Receiver
#7 6-2, 200
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile had 10 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns and added seven carries for another 44 yards. Boyd was 30-for-42 for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

Clemson finished 14-for-18 on third down after an 0-for-3 start to begin the game.

Running back Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
RS Jr. Running Back
#23 5-10, 190
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile appeared to cramp up just before halftime, and freshmen backups Mike BellamyMike Bellamy
Fr. Running Back
#5 5-10, 187
Nocatee, FL
View Full Profile and D.J. HowardD.J. Howard
RS Fr. Running Back
#22 5-11, 190
Lincoln, AL
View Full Profile were more than adequate as the each picked up valuable second half carries.

The defense gave up 21 points and 237 yards of offense during the game’s first 20 minutes, but held Auburn without a touchdown the rest of the way.

What went wrong: The defense gave up way too many yards and points as Auburn raced out to a 21-7 lead. Wrong angles, penalties and missed tackles were again the culprit as Auburn racked up 285 yards of total offense.

The defense bent but didn’t break in the second half, but still gave up too many yards on the ground.

Freshman running back Mike Bellamy had a fumble inside the Auburn 20-yard line in the third quarter.

Turning Point of the Game: Trailing 21-7 and in danger of being run out of Death Valley, Clemson responded with an 81-yard drive that ended when Boyd hit Allen in the back of the end zone to make it 21-14. The Clemson defense held on Auburn’s next drive, and Boyd again got hot and Clemson tied the score at 21 on a two-yard plunge by Andre Ellington.

Clemson then added 17 more points in the second half on the way to the win.

Stat of the game: The teams combined for 520 yards of total offense in the first half – Clemson had 235 and Auburn had 285. For the game, the teams combined for over 1000 yards of total offense, and Clemson had over 600 yards of total offense for just the eighth time in history, the first against an ACC team. The previous high against an SEC team was in 1954 – against Auburn.