Monday October 26, 2009

Miami Review

Miami Review
There are a few times so far in Dabo’s young head coaching career that I will never forget and I had another one early Sunday morning. With several hundred Clemson fans gathered outside the West Zone around 12:45 AM four team busses finally came over the horizon. The Young busses had our Tigers inside including the head coach who provided this latest memorable moment. When Dabo first saw how many students and fans were there to welcome the boys home he broke out in a big smile than later seemed to turn into this uncontrolled belly laugh. That had to be a very special moment for him and his wife and kids who were in the front seats as well.

Saturday was one of those special moments in Clemson football history. It was a road win over a team ranked in the top 10 in the country. That had only happened five times before Saturday. It tied the school record for the highest ranked opponent ever defeated on the road.

It was a statement game that would have to have a positive effect on recruiting in Florida, especially south Florida. And it may be one of those games that might mean so much more down the road but only time will tell.

The 40-37 overtime win was not a perfect game but it was a masterpiece. As Dabo said Sunday, there were enough mistakes made by both teams to lose several games.

But it was one of the most exciting games in school history. It was a game that featured nine lead changes. Nine. When was the last time you watched a game that featured more lead changes than a NASCAR event?

If you like big plays then you loved this one. This one should have been broadcast on TNT because their slogan is “We know drama.” Now the game may become an Instant Classic on ESPN Classic.

It is also a game that will feature plays that will be seen on YouTube for years to come. I think someone needs to come up with SpillerTube.

How about Clifford Jr? I am beginning to believe Dabo when he says C.J. Spiller is the best football player in the country. When you play football for over 100 years, school records don’t come easy but he continues to put his name in the Clemson record book. The Clemson Sports Information office tells us, “Spiller had a Clemson record 310 all-purpose yards, as he had 125 on three kickoff returns, 104 yards on six receptions and 81 yards on 14 rushing attempts. He scored on a 90-yard kickoff return and a 56-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Parker.
Spiller's 310 all-purpose yards tie for the most in a game by any player in FBS Division this year. Derrick Locke of Kentucky had 310 against Louisville on September 19 of this year. Spiller's performance broke the previous Clemson record of 282 yards by Justin Miller at Florida State in 2004.
Spiller is now first in the nation in all-purpose running yards per game with an average of 208 yards per game. He is also third nationally in kickoff return average with a 38.2 figure and is tied for first in kickoff returns for touchdowns with three.
His 90-yard kickoff return at Miami was the sixth of his Clemson career, an ACC record, and it was his seventh total kick return for a score as a Tiger. That gave him the ACC record for overall kick returns for scores.”

Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington both had nice games with 12 carries for 31 yards including Harper’s key fourth down conversion. The pair also had five receptions for 34 yards.

Kyle Parker showed a bunch of promise against the Canes with a 25 of 37 day for 326 yards and three touchdowns. The red-shirt freshman made a few mistakes but his cannon arm was a key to the win including his laser 26-yard strike on the game’s final play. I am not sure many would have believed Parker would have more completions for more yards and more touchdowns and less interceptions than Jacory Harris.

Clemson’s tight ends combined for 9 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Michael Palmer had five receptions for 74 yards and the touchdown. Dwayne Allen had four catches for 36 yards. This was the best games we have seen from Tiger tight ends in years.

I also thought the wide receivers played well Saturday. Marquan Jones did have a drop but Jacoby Ford, Terrance Ashe and Xavier Dye combined for five catches for 78 yards.

Dabo said Chris Hairston had the best game on the offensive line which continued to improve. The Tigers have scored 78 points the last two weeks and the offensive line has been a big part of that. Parker was sacked only twice Saturday in 39 called pass plays.

The defense gave up 37 points and 433 yards but they played well at times especially in hod the Canes to a field goal in overtime.

DeAndre McDaniel was clearly the star of the game on the defensive side of the football. His two interceptions included one returned for a touchdown. McDaniel now leads the nation in picks.

There were other stars on defense. Andre Branch had only one tackle but it was for a 14-yard loss. Ricky Sapp, Marcus Gilchrist and Brandon Maye had a sack each. I thought Kevin Alexander had a nice game. And don’t forget the biog coverage by Chris Chancellor on Miami’s last offensive play.

I thought Clemson had to play at least even with Miami but the Tigers won the battle of special teams. Spiller had the 90-yard kickoff return for a score. Dawson Zimmerman averaged 45 yards per punt in his three attempts. Richard Jackson hit two of his three field goal attempts including the one to put the game into overtime. And Spencer Benton had four touchbacks in his seven kickoffs.

This was a big one. The win keeps the Tigers tied for the lead in the Atlantic Division of the ACC with Boston College but Clemson owns the tie breaker with the Eagles.

It could also be big because it might be one of those games we look back on and point to the turnaround because the Tigers learned how to win a close game. In fact, tomorrow’s blog will be on the subject of what this win could mean for this team and the future of this program.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley.