From last night....
The clock's officially struck 12:45am and I've run out of the Bourbon that's fueled me over the last few hours. Staring at the empty bottle I guess it's time to try to piece together all of the emotions I and many fans felt over the course of the 45-37 loss at the hands of a number one ranked Clemson squad.
First, let me give credit where it's due: Clemson is a very good football team. Tonight we watched one of the best teams in the country operate both effectively and poorly in the same game, sometimes within the same drive. Deshaun Watson is Carolina's Daddy having racked up a stat line in two games that's about as talented as you can find:
It his two games against Carolina (2014 and 2015) Watson is:
A combined 53-78 (68%) throwing for 724 yards 9 touchdowns and two INTs
He's rushed for 162 yards and a pair of scores as well.
He's 2-0.
If Watson put together another game of this nature against Carolina he'll be nearing Russell Wilson status. If I had a vote for the Heisman, Watson would get it. He's simply the best player I've watched this year in college football with Dalvin Cook coming in second and the freight train known as Derrick Henry in third.
I also want to give credit to Clemson's ability to control the offensive line. Clemson had the tedious task of replacing virtually everyone from last year's dominant defensive line and very good offensive line and both units improved steadily over the year. The offensive line, as David Hale of ESPN pointed out, did not give up a sack in their last 4 games. On both sides of the ball Clemson dictated how the game would be played. Their front seven attacked and abused Carolina's offensive line. From one side of the line with Spain all the way to the other side with Jon Heck, Carolina's offensive line got beat from the point of attack. Clemson's Defensive Coordinator (one of the best in the country) Brent Venables slanted and stunted his way through the Carolina offensive line. Outside of a handful or so runs, Carolina's couldn't establish anything on the ground. The attack when Carolina decided to pass, flustered the OL and gave Quise fits. The quarterback who can usually pick a defense apart, struggled to find a rhythm as he dipped and dodged Clemson pass rushers all evening. Carolina's offense didn't ever completely comfortable until they were down by three scores. Clemson had the better athletes, better gameplan and played the better game tonight.
From this mornin'
On the botched call:
Did the refs miss the offsides call on the recovered kick? Yes. Was it at a very inconvenient time? Hell yes. Did it determine the outcome of the game? Maybe. Is it the reason Carolina lost? Hell no. Go watch the ballgame again. Clemson dominated this game from the point of attack. I hate it most for the players who made the play to not get rewarded.
On the offense:
For those who watched it shouldn't come as a surprise when I say that Carolina did not play it's best game. Quise looked rattled for much of the game and the offense failed to establish any kind of consistency until the game was out of reach. As I wrote earlier, much of the credit needs to be given to Clemson. The talent across their roster was evident in all phases of the game yesterday. What;s encouraging even for as poor as Carolina played for a majority of the game, they still managed to have a shot at the end of the game to make things interesting. That's a testament to this team and coaching staff's resilience. They keep fighting and fighting until the bitter end.
On the defense:
The defense gave the offense virtually every opportunity they could yesterday. Yes the 2 minute drill was a let down and the defense couldn't do much after spending a majority of the first 45 minutes of game play on the field; but the defense gave the offense a shot to make the game interesting. We've seen all year the bend but don't break nature of this defense. This defense, while it still has a ways to go, showed some positives against a very good Clemson offensive attack.
Going Forward:
Last night's result should ABSOLUTELY NOT take away what this team's accomplished over the course of this season. This fan base was extremely fortunate to have had this bunch of Seniors leading this squad. The quad of Jeff Schoettmer, Marquise Williams, Shakeel Rashad and Landon Turner helped lead a group which overcame three coaches, a whirlwind of scandal. national disrespect and complete program turmoil. This quad completely flipped the direction of the program with the #IGotYourBack campaign, with their resilience, with their desire and with their constant fight. Kudos are also in store for this coaching staff.
Not enough can be said about the defensive overhaul we've watched over the last 11 months. We went from a group that had given up on the men coaching the defensive side of the ball to a whole team and recruiting class that's bought into the messages of #IGotYourBack and Smart.Fast.Physical. I love where this program's come in the last few months. We went from the lows of losing to Sakerlina in disappointing fashion, to the highs of winning in Atlanta for the first time in 18 years, beating the shit out of Duke and clinching the Coastal in Blacksburg. November, and the first week of December were ballgames to cherish and remember as a fan. I'm so proud of this ball team and these players. They earned every moment on the field this year. I look forward to this bowl game as Carolina attempts to win their 12th game for the first time ever. This program's in the best spot they've been since Marvin's Tweet seen around the world. Morale's high, a large chunk of the two deep returns and recruiting's hummin for what feels like the first time since 09. Cheering for a program emerging in big time college football is such a wonderful drug.
It's always a Great Day to Be A Tar Heel.
WFP
Showing posts with label Clemson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clemson. Show all posts
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Setting Goals, It ain't over yet: Clemson Preview
This was peak post bar late night rambling. Prediction was written this morning.
Before I dive into previewing Carolina's biggest game to date, I wanna look back at how far this fan base and this team have come over the past 3 months. I remember vividly ripping into a team and coaching staff early on into the season following a horrible and disappointing loss at the hands of Sakerlina. I, like many Tar Heels, couldn't sleep that Thursday night after watching Marquise Williams play his worst game in a Tar Heel uniform. I couldn't sleep because of the incompetence by the offensive coaching shown that game. I couldn't sleep because even Spurrier knew how lucky his squad had gotten in that game. Following that loss, where many teams would crumble, Carolina got back to the keys I had coming into this season:
1. Carolina re-established dominance on the offensive line
This offense has hummed in about every game this season for one point or another. We've watched veteran leadership lead a group that's development a nasty streak and cohesiveness. Even at their toughest struggles against a very well coached Virginia Tech defense, Carolina's O Line paved the way for go up two scores and protect Quise in the game's biggest moment (Game Winner to Quinshad). The game's against Miami and NC State (especially first and third quarters) have been some of the most impressive displays of run blocking I've watched outside of what many consider "elite" programs (Bama, Southern Cal during their run, LSU at times, Notre Dame).
2. Carolina's coaching improved
Unless you've been under a rock, youve probably heard about how much better the coaching been on the sidelines and in the coaches box this year. We're watching coaches make adjustments and players responding to those adjustments. We're watching coaches and players buy-in. We're watching teammates because brothers under the guidance of their mentors.
3. Carolina's Defense grew up and came into their own
While there's still room for improvement, you cannot look over the work Coach Gene Chizik and his supporting staff on the defense did for a bunch that had been in free fall for a couple of years. Even as the offenses this team faced grew more complex, the coaching staff kept things simple and the players responded by fighting their nuts off and making play after play. If this unit remains intact, Carolina's defense couple be SCARY in the coming years.
4. Carolina rallied and used a massive chip on their shoulders and exceeded everyone's (outside of their own) expectations
To keep it simple: This Carolina team's lived out their motto of #IGotYourBack. They've rallied in the face of adversity during games and over the course of the season. They've competed. They've experienced success and failure. Most importantly; they've been a damned fun team to watch and cover.
Heading into Clemson, I find myself not trying to get too lost into the Xs and Os of the game. I find myself in a situation only familiar to my Virginia Tech fandom I had growing up. From the mid nineties until just a few years ago, 10 win seasons were the norm for the orange and maroon and year in and year out I'd watch the Hokies climb to the upper tier of the college football polls only to lose in heartbreaking fashion or get disrespected by the polling and wind up in a bowl matchup below one they deserved. Carolina find themselves in a similar situation this weekend. Win: The Program hits a height we haven't seen in a modern era and we're left to wait to see how a panel of "experts" sees where we fit in the postseason.
How Carolina Wins
1. Win the Turnover Battle
The Tar Heels have gone through a rough stretch in the second halves of the last two games by coughing up the ball and letting Virginia Tech and NC State keep the game closer than it should have been. Clemson's let go of controlling the ball over the last month too. Win the turnover battle and a win in Charlotte just became easier.
2. Control the Line of Scrimmage
On defense, Clemson's offense is gonna look very familiar to Tar Heel fans as Clemson loves to stretch the field and create mismatches in the same way as the Heels. Clemson feeds off the quick striking attack whether it be a wide receiver screen on the perimeter or a zone read that carves the front seven. Carolina's front seven(most six cause I expect to see a bunch of nickel) will have to play sound gap control in the run game and hen Clemson drops back to pass. As good as Deshaun Watson's arm is, he's equally as deadly with his wheels. Maintain contain, wrap up and keep the play in front of you.
On offense, Carolina's O has the task of going up against the best defense they've faced all year. The man on Clemson's defense to watch is Shaq Lawson at Defensive End. While he's not a s fast a Vic Beasley, Lawson's been a force all season. Containing him is key to this Offensive Line. Clemson's defensive front faces the best offensive line they've faced since the monsoon game against Notre Dame. Win the leverage battle and create some alleys for Quise, Eli and TJ to do work.
3. Finish Drives
Field goals ain't gonna get it done against the best offense Carolina's faced all year. Unlike the last game at the BofA, Carolina punches it in when they get in the red zone. Expect a higher scoring affair than what we saw back in the first of September.
While on paper, the Clemson defense should give this team the edge, I cannot go against my heart today. I expect Carolina to jump out to a two score lead. Clemson to rally and the Carolina squad to earn redemption with a late score, a late stop, and a couple late first downs to ice a ballgame between two of the country's best teams.
Carolina 41 Clemson 34
Carolina Fans can start talking playoff around midnight tonight.
Go Heels.
Before I dive into previewing Carolina's biggest game to date, I wanna look back at how far this fan base and this team have come over the past 3 months. I remember vividly ripping into a team and coaching staff early on into the season following a horrible and disappointing loss at the hands of Sakerlina. I, like many Tar Heels, couldn't sleep that Thursday night after watching Marquise Williams play his worst game in a Tar Heel uniform. I couldn't sleep because of the incompetence by the offensive coaching shown that game. I couldn't sleep because even Spurrier knew how lucky his squad had gotten in that game. Following that loss, where many teams would crumble, Carolina got back to the keys I had coming into this season:
1. Carolina re-established dominance on the offensive line
This offense has hummed in about every game this season for one point or another. We've watched veteran leadership lead a group that's development a nasty streak and cohesiveness. Even at their toughest struggles against a very well coached Virginia Tech defense, Carolina's O Line paved the way for go up two scores and protect Quise in the game's biggest moment (Game Winner to Quinshad). The game's against Miami and NC State (especially first and third quarters) have been some of the most impressive displays of run blocking I've watched outside of what many consider "elite" programs (Bama, Southern Cal during their run, LSU at times, Notre Dame).
2. Carolina's coaching improved
Unless you've been under a rock, youve probably heard about how much better the coaching been on the sidelines and in the coaches box this year. We're watching coaches make adjustments and players responding to those adjustments. We're watching coaches and players buy-in. We're watching teammates because brothers under the guidance of their mentors.
3. Carolina's Defense grew up and came into their own
While there's still room for improvement, you cannot look over the work Coach Gene Chizik and his supporting staff on the defense did for a bunch that had been in free fall for a couple of years. Even as the offenses this team faced grew more complex, the coaching staff kept things simple and the players responded by fighting their nuts off and making play after play. If this unit remains intact, Carolina's defense couple be SCARY in the coming years.
4. Carolina rallied and used a massive chip on their shoulders and exceeded everyone's (outside of their own) expectations
To keep it simple: This Carolina team's lived out their motto of #IGotYourBack. They've rallied in the face of adversity during games and over the course of the season. They've competed. They've experienced success and failure. Most importantly; they've been a damned fun team to watch and cover.
Heading into Clemson, I find myself not trying to get too lost into the Xs and Os of the game. I find myself in a situation only familiar to my Virginia Tech fandom I had growing up. From the mid nineties until just a few years ago, 10 win seasons were the norm for the orange and maroon and year in and year out I'd watch the Hokies climb to the upper tier of the college football polls only to lose in heartbreaking fashion or get disrespected by the polling and wind up in a bowl matchup below one they deserved. Carolina find themselves in a similar situation this weekend. Win: The Program hits a height we haven't seen in a modern era and we're left to wait to see how a panel of "experts" sees where we fit in the postseason.
How Carolina Wins
1. Win the Turnover Battle
The Tar Heels have gone through a rough stretch in the second halves of the last two games by coughing up the ball and letting Virginia Tech and NC State keep the game closer than it should have been. Clemson's let go of controlling the ball over the last month too. Win the turnover battle and a win in Charlotte just became easier.
2. Control the Line of Scrimmage
On defense, Clemson's offense is gonna look very familiar to Tar Heel fans as Clemson loves to stretch the field and create mismatches in the same way as the Heels. Clemson feeds off the quick striking attack whether it be a wide receiver screen on the perimeter or a zone read that carves the front seven. Carolina's front seven(most six cause I expect to see a bunch of nickel) will have to play sound gap control in the run game and hen Clemson drops back to pass. As good as Deshaun Watson's arm is, he's equally as deadly with his wheels. Maintain contain, wrap up and keep the play in front of you.
On offense, Carolina's O has the task of going up against the best defense they've faced all year. The man on Clemson's defense to watch is Shaq Lawson at Defensive End. While he's not a s fast a Vic Beasley, Lawson's been a force all season. Containing him is key to this Offensive Line. Clemson's defensive front faces the best offensive line they've faced since the monsoon game against Notre Dame. Win the leverage battle and create some alleys for Quise, Eli and TJ to do work.
3. Finish Drives
Field goals ain't gonna get it done against the best offense Carolina's faced all year. Unlike the last game at the BofA, Carolina punches it in when they get in the red zone. Expect a higher scoring affair than what we saw back in the first of September.
While on paper, the Clemson defense should give this team the edge, I cannot go against my heart today. I expect Carolina to jump out to a two score lead. Clemson to rally and the Carolina squad to earn redemption with a late score, a late stop, and a couple late first downs to ice a ballgame between two of the country's best teams.
Carolina 41 Clemson 34
Carolina Fans can start talking playoff around midnight tonight.
Go Heels.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
#WFPPlayoff Round 1 No. 2 #Auburn vs No 15 #Clemson
Auburn, AL
Jordan Hare Stadium
No. 2 Auburn hosts No 15 Clemson
58 degrees and Clear on the Plains
First Quarter:
Tre Mason breaks a 74 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage Auburn up early 7-0
Dabo inspires his Clemson squad to a couple of stops and a couple of scores behind a Costanzzo 48 yard field goal and Roderick McDowell 61 yard run
Clemson 10-7 at the end of the first quarter
Second Quarter:
Tajh Boyd scrambles from 5 yards out to put the Clemson Tigers up 17-7
Cody Parker responds with a 41 yard chip shot as time expires in the second to cut the Clemson lead to 17-10
Third Quarter:
Auburn kicks 4 field goals this quarter. 4.
Auburn leads after 3 22-17
Fourth Quarter
Tajh Boyd works up some magic of his own, leading his Clemson Tigers on a couple scoring drives with another Costanzzo 48 yarder and finds Sammy Watkins streaking up the sideline on a 56 yard catch and score
With less than 4 minuts left Clemson found themselves up 27-22
Then Nick Marshall and Tre Mason and the Auburn Offensive Line start to mash
Mason scores off tackle with 36 seconds to play from 8 yards out. Auburn holds on once again in miraculous fashion
FINAL SCORE: AUBURN 29 CLEMSON 27
Stat Line
- Tre Mason went off with 274 yards on 34 carries and couple of scores
- Cody Parker of Auburn had the golden toe converting on all five field goals
- Auburn wins another game they shouldn't
- Clemson lost despite converting 31 first downs
- Yabo Dabo Doo still has too much love for his ball club
- Auburn had 8 sacks
We got Stanford vs Oklahoma up next....
Jordan Hare Stadium
No. 2 Auburn hosts No 15 Clemson
58 degrees and Clear on the Plains
First Quarter:
Tre Mason breaks a 74 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage Auburn up early 7-0
Dabo inspires his Clemson squad to a couple of stops and a couple of scores behind a Costanzzo 48 yard field goal and Roderick McDowell 61 yard run
Clemson 10-7 at the end of the first quarter
Second Quarter:
Tajh Boyd scrambles from 5 yards out to put the Clemson Tigers up 17-7
Cody Parker responds with a 41 yard chip shot as time expires in the second to cut the Clemson lead to 17-10
Third Quarter:
Auburn kicks 4 field goals this quarter. 4.
Auburn leads after 3 22-17
Fourth Quarter
Tajh Boyd works up some magic of his own, leading his Clemson Tigers on a couple scoring drives with another Costanzzo 48 yarder and finds Sammy Watkins streaking up the sideline on a 56 yard catch and score
With less than 4 minuts left Clemson found themselves up 27-22
Then Nick Marshall and Tre Mason and the Auburn Offensive Line start to mash
Mason scores off tackle with 36 seconds to play from 8 yards out. Auburn holds on once again in miraculous fashion
FINAL SCORE: AUBURN 29 CLEMSON 27
Stat Line
- Tre Mason went off with 274 yards on 34 carries and couple of scores
- Cody Parker of Auburn had the golden toe converting on all five field goals
- Auburn wins another game they shouldn't
- Clemson lost despite converting 31 first downs
- Yabo Dabo Doo still has too much love for his ball club
- Auburn had 8 sacks
We got Stanford vs Oklahoma up next....
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