Monday November 12, 2007

Wake Forest Review

Wake Forest Review
I can really get used to this!

Last week I wrote about how much I enjoy every win no matter who the opponent or the final score. However, I must it admit Saturday was a little different.

Last week a lot of us wondered when Clemson had a game as big as the Wake Forest and Boston College home games. I begin this week by wondering when was the last time the Tigers played this well against a good, well-coached football team as they did against Wake.

That is what might be lost in all of this because we need to remember that Wake is a good football team. In fact, Maryland’s win over Boston College made the Tigers impressive win a few weeks ago in College Park even more impressive. But this Wake team is a very good squad.

I thought Wake Forest’s defensive game plan was to stop James Davis and C.J. Spiller at all costs. I was not sure how the offense would handle it but it turned out to be an incredible effort. Everything started up front as Cullen Harper enjoyed fantastic protection all day. The offensive line has played very well on this current four-game winning streak.

A player that I am extremely happy for is Aaron Kelly. The junior wide receiver has turned game up a notch and is now playing at an incredible level. Kelly broke the Clemson record for touchdown receptions is a season with 11 and now leads the ACC with his closest competition having only five touchdowns this season. Kelly had 10 catches on the day, moving him into 5th on Clemson's all-time career receptions list with 148. He also gained 93 yards, moving him up to 8th on the all-time receiving yards list with 1,771. On the season, he has 67 catches for 841 yards. Kelly now has 16 career touchdown receptions, tied for third in Clemson history. He needs only three touchdown receptions to break Glenn Smith's 56-year old record of 18 career touchdown receptions.

Earlier this season Kelly made my four year old niece, Isabella Rawl, a very happy little girl when he gave her one of his Nike sweatbands after a Clemson win. Now every Saturday she enjoys watching her new favorite Tiger break records. You have to feel good for a player who his coaches describe as a great young man.

The Tiger receiving corps have been outstanding this season and give Tyler Grisham a ton credit. He had his second career 100-yard contest with nine catches for100 yards. The 100 yards tied a career high, equaling his 100 against Virginia Tech earlier this season. Grisham also added 22 yards rushing but I will remember the incredible grab he made across the middle against the Deacs.

But Saturday’s offensive star has to be Harper. Wake decided to make Harper beat them and that is exactly what he did. The 27 of 35 performance was another amazing start for the junior. Harper threw for 266 yards and another three touchdowns. Earlier this season he broke the school record for touchdown passes when he surpassed Charlie Whitehurst and Woody Dantzler’s mark of 21. Harper now has 26 with only four interceptions on the year.

I am not sure anyone could have ever envisioned this type of season for a first year starter at quarterback. I know the Clemson staff did not think he would have this kind of success but you also have to give Harper a ton of credit for playing so well and playing with a chip on his shoulder. I was among the many who thought Willy Korn would have been the starter by now but Harper would have nothing to do with that and he is now one of the leading candidates to win the ACC Player of the Year award.

Hasn’t it been nice to talk about the Tigers dominating special teams? Saturday was a complete performance that showcased a terrific day for Mark Buchholz. The kicker had three field goals including the first 50-yard plus field goal for the Tigers since David Richardson kicked 52-yarder against Wake Forest in 1997. He tied a Clemson record for FGs of 40+ yards in a game. Buchholz is the first player to make three field goals of 46 yards or more in a game.

Spiller’s 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was his second consecutive game with a kickoff return for a touchdown, which is the first time a player has accomplished that feat. The return is Spiller's ninth touchdown of 50 yards or more, a record which he holds. Spiller also recorded 194 all-purpose yards on the afternoon, his career high.

Defensively, the Tigers were almost as dominant Saturday. I was thoroughly impressed with the way Clemson was able to pressure Riley Skinner with the front four. The Tigers got unbelievable efforts from Phillip Merling, Rickey Sapp, Dorell Scott, Jamie Cumbie, Kourtnei Brown and Kevin Alexander. When was the last time you saw 10 tackles for a loss?

Merling was playing like he was in a bad mood. The junior spent the entire day hounding Riley. When he did not get to the quarterback he was getting double teamed which allowed his teammates to make plays. Remember in the middle of this season when the Tigers could not get a sack? Five sacks against the Deacs helps your standings in the league and it is that kind of pressure that will be needed again this week.

The mid-season losses to Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech seem so long ago. The collapse of last season also seems like a lifetime ago but this team is different for several reasons. First, this group is more balanced on offense. Harper’s 26-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a difference maker. This team is different defensively because of its corners. The cover skills of this group are much better than a year ago. The third aspect of this team is leadership. The 2007 Tigers benefit from having better leaders like James Davis. And finally this group is different because they have so much to play for. Last year several key players were looking ahead to the NFL draft but this year’s squad has been much more focused on the current situation.

Saturday was fun and crucial because now we have a chance to have a bunch of fun this week but more on that later. For now I still want to enjoy a great win by a bunch of great Tigers.

See ya at the basketball game tonight.

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