Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Clemson
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Clemson
NC STATE (3-6, 2-4) at CLEMSON (7-3, 4-3)
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 2006
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EST) at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC (83,000)
OPPONENT?Clemson and NC State have at least a couple things in common heading into their match-up at Memorial Stadium. Both teams are in the midst of losing streaks and while both can move the football they?re having a hard time scoring touchdowns.
Clemson was the nation?s top-ranked offense only two weeks ago, but the Tigers have tallied only 19 points since. They?ve lost two straight and have gone seven quarters without a TD since the second quarter of a 24-7 loss at Virginia Tech. NC State?s offense has entered the end zone only once in its last eight quarters and has dropped four games in-a-row.
In Saturday?s 13-12 loss to Maryland at home, Clemson had good offensive numbers overall. Will Proctor threw for 251 yards with no interceptions. The Tigers gained 143 yards on the ground. However, they were 0-for-4 scoring touchdowns when they had the ball inside the Maryland 20-yard line and were forced to settle for four Jad Dean field goals.
Trailing 10-9 with eight minutes remaining, Clemson gained possession at its 1-yard line. On first down, Proctor scrambled to the 17 before he was stripped by Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson. The ball bounced back toward the goal line. Tigers tailback C.J. Spiller fell on it and rolled into the end zone. Officials signaled a safety, but after a lengthy review the call was overturned.
One play later, Proctor connected with tight end Thomas Hunter over the middle for 71-yards to the Maryland 28. On second-and-goal tailback James Davis banged 4-yards into the end zone, but the play was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty.
Proctor?s scramble from the 9 went for no gain and following a 4-yard run by Davis, Dean kicked a 22-yard field goal. That put Clemson on top 12-10 with 2:25 remaining.
Maryland returned the ensuing high kickoff to its 34 yard line. From there, the Terps marched 52 yards in 11 plays for the deciding points.
Quarterback Sam Hollenbach completed five passes in the drive, including a 12-yarder to Joey Haynos to move into close field goal range. On the final play of the game, Dan Ennis drilled a 31-yarder to put the Terps into a first-place tie in the Atlantic Division with Wake Forest.
NC State?s hopes of an ACC title have vanished. Clemson hasn?t conceded yet but, the Tigers only hope involves a win Saturday and somehow finishing in a first-place tie with Wake Forest. Obviously, Clemson would need a lot of help. In addition, the scenario is feasible only if Boston College falls to winless Duke because the Tigers would lose all three-way tiebreakers.
Bowl implications are also on the line Saturday. Clemson is already bowl eligible, but would like to enhance its post-season destination. State must win out for bowl consideration. UNC and ECU remain on the Wolfpack?s schedule.
In its last two games, Clemson has faced opponents that have stacked more defenders into the box to limit the Tigers running game. This has forced Proctor to make quick reads and throw. The strategy has worked. However, recent past performance does not guarantee future results, especially when you consider that Clemson still leads the ACC in total offense (420), rushing (230) and scoring (35.7).
Overall, Proctor has been pretty solid. He?s second in the league in touchdown passes (11) and passing efficiency. The fifth-year senior is a first-year starter, but knows the Clemson offense. Proctor has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes-- with only 7 interceptions-- in 222 attempts.
In Davis and Spiller, the Tigers have two of the ACC top-10 rushers. Davis is No. 2 and has run for 1,081 yards and a conference-leading 17 touchdowns. Spiller averages 61 yards a game and is 10th in the league. He has also caught 16 passes.
That duo is able to run effectively because of an offensive line that may be the best in the ACC. Although it took a hit with a season-ending knee injury to left guard Roman Fry, the unit remains very experienced and very big. It also leads the nation in the fewest quarterback sacks allowed (5).
Clemson?s offensive line average 6-5, 320 and all (with the exception of Fry?s replacement) are at least second-year starters. The anchor is redshirt senior right guard Nathan Bennett (6-5, 310) a fourth-year starter.
Despite missing three games with an injury, redshirt senior Chansi Stuckey (6-0, 185) is the Tigers top wide receiver with 36 catches and 3 touchdowns. Nine of his grabs have gained 20 or more yards. Proctor?s other favorite target is redshirt sophomore Aaron Kelly (6-5, 180).
Clemson?s defense has been forced to contend with a rash of injuries. Starting linebacker Tremaine Billie suffered a season-ending broken ankle in August while middle linebacker Anthony Waters was lost for the year in the season-opener. Safety Michael Hamlin missed 3 games with a foot injury but has returned to the lineup.
Despite the injuries, the Tigers are No. 10 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 13.7 points a game. They?re also 11th in total defense (247) and rushing defense (36) and they allow only 162 passing yards a game (16th).
Outside linebacker, Nick Watkins (6-2, 220, Jr.) is Clemson?s leading tackler (8.1) with Water?s replacement, Antonio Clay (6-0, 220, So.) right behind (7.8). But perhaps the hardest man to block is Gaines Adams. The redshirt senior end (6-5, 220) is the ACC sack leader (10.5) and needs only three more to break Michael Dean Perry?s 20-year Clemson record for career sacks.
Clemson?s defense has forced 22 turnovers (#2 ACC), including a league-leading 13 fumbles. Four of those take-a-ways belong to true freshman reserve cornerback Crezdon Butler (6-0, 185) who leads the team with 3 interceptions.
The Tigers secondary is possibly the youngest segment of the defense. With the exception of Hamlin at strong safety, everyone else is a first-year starter. However, redshirt senior Duane Coleman has added stability and averages about 7 stops a game. Coleman began his career as a runningback and was a reserve corner last season.
In Jacoby Ford, the Tigers have a very dangerous return man. The true freshman (5-9, 180) is the No.2 punt returner in the ACC (11.9) and has returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown this season.
Cole Chason is a steady punter with a 41.4 yard average (5th ACC). Dean had two kicks blocked at Florida State that were returned for scores, but over his last seven games is 9-of-10 on field goals and 30-of-31 on extra point kicks.
NOTES: NC State linebacker, Pat Lowry, is averaging 8.8 tackles a game and is No.3 in the ACC in stops... Quarterback Daniel Evans will start his 7th college game against Clemson. He?s No. 2 in the ACC in passing yards per game (201) versus league opponents and is 2-4 as a starter...All of the Wolfpack?s ACC games have been decided by 8 points or less...Clemson is one of the least penalized teams in the ACC and has a plus-three turnover margin...The Wolfpack has a minus-eight turnover margin. State?s defense intercepted two passes last week against Georgia Tech, but is still last in the ACC with only 8 turnovers gained this season...In its last three games, State has committed 27 penalties for 226 yards...The Wolfpack has been held to a total of 128 rushing yards in its last two games...Darrell Blackman, who returned a kickoff 95-yards for a TD against Georgia Tech, is No.2 in the ACC in kick returns (31.1) and fourth in punt returns (10.7). He?s the only player in the ACC in the top-5 in both categories...State has not scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the game this season...The Pack has scored only 15 first quarter points in ?06 and only 6 since the opener... NC State?s last overtime game was a 27-21 win at home over Wake Forest in 2004...The Pack is 6-4 in overtime games...Clemson beat the Pack 31-10 last season in Raleigh...For the last 26 years the Clemson-NC State game has been called the ?Textile Bowl? to salute that industry and the renowned textile colleges at both schools.
INJURIES--NC State:LB James Martin-Out, wrist surgery; OG/C Leroy Harris-Probable, ankle sprain; DE Martrel Brown-Questionable, knee sprain. Clemson?OT Christian Capote-Questionable, hip injury
