Georgia Tech vs Clemson Game Notes
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The ACC’s Most Competitive Series
The Clemson vs. Georgia Tech series has been the most competitive series in the ACC over the last 10 years. Nine of the last 10 games have been decided by five points or less, including a six-game streak between 1996-01 in which every game was decided by exactly three points. That might be a first in college football history. We aren’t talking by three points or less, but exactly three points.
Georgia Tech was victorious last year in the lowest scoring game in the series in 14 years when Tech won 10-9 in Atlanta. That was Clemson’s only loss over the last seven games of the season, and one of only two losses for the Tigers over the last 14 games. Clemson cut the margin to 10-9 on Jad Dean’s third field goal of the game with 5:36 left, but the Tigers were hurt by a holding penalty on their last possession.
Georgia Tech has a 45-23-2 lead in the series with Clemson dating to a 23-0 Tiger win in Augusta, GA in 1898, just the 11th game in Clemson football history. In fact, Clemson won the first four games of the series, including games in 1902 and 1903 when John Heisman was at the helm. Clemson defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta 73-0 in 1903 with Heisman as head coach.
Tech has won two in a row in the series, including the last meeting at Clemson in 2004. Tech scored two touchdowns in the last 1:50 to win 28-24. Clemson had taken a 24-14 lead with 3:18 left on a 54-yard run by Kyle Browning. The teams combined for 35 points in the fourth quarter after scoring a combined 17 points in the first three periods.
Here are some other series highlights:
•Clemson won three in a row from 2001-03, including the 2003 game in Atlanta by a 39-3 score. That was Clemson’s largest margin of victory in the series since a 73-0 Tiger win in Atlanta in 1903 when Heisman was the Clemson coach and is the only game in the series since 1995 that has not been decided by five points or less.
•The Tigers have an 8-5 advantage in games at Clemson, but Georgia Tech leads 40-13-2 in games played in Atlanta. Every game between the two teams between 1907- 74 era was held in Atlanta. Clemson’s only wins in those 36 meetings came in 1907, 1936, 1945 and 1969. The 1969 victory was Frank Howard’s final season as head coach.
•The first time Georgia Tech played in Clemson’s stadium was 1974, a 21-17 Clemson victory. Clemson won that game on a threeyard touchdown pass from current Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Mike O’Cain to All- America tight end Bennie Cunningham with 8:26 left.
•Clemson has a 12-11 advantage in the series, regardless of site, since Tech joined the ACC in 1983. Tech actually joined for the 1979-80 academic year, but did not compete for the football championships, nor play Clemson as an ACC game, until 1983.
•Since Tommy Bowden has been the head coach, the Clemson vs. Georgia Tech games have been high scoring with the exception of last year’s game. The point total for the seven games is 213-180 in favor of the Tigers, giving Clemson a 30.4-26 average victory during the time. But, Georgia Tech has the lead 4-3 in the won-loss column.
•Woodrow Dantzler had one of the best all-around games of his career with 164 yards rushing and 254 yards passing in the Clemson victory in 2001. He threw for two scores and ran for two, including a 38-yard “Hail Mary Run” on the last play of the first half to cut Tech’s lead to 19-14 at intermission. His 63- yard scoring pass to J.J. McKelvey with 1:58 left put Clemson ahead by three, but Tech tied the count with a 20-yard field goal with just six seconds left. Dantzler’s “walk-off” six-yard touchdown in overtime gave Clemson the win.
•Clemson has had just two games in its history in which both teams scored in the 40s. They have both taken place at Georgia Tech under Bowden. Tech won 45-42 in 1999 and Clemson won 47-44 in overtime in 2001 in Atlanta.
•One of the most unusual statistical occurrences in Clemson history took place during Clemson’s 33-12 victory over Georgia Tech in 1987 at Clemson. Clemson entered the game with a streak of 999 consecutive combined punt returns and kickoff returns without a touchdown dating to 1970. Then, on the 1000th return, Donnell Woolford raced 78 yards with a punt return for a touchdown. Then, later in the game Joe Henderson returned a kickoff return 95 yards for a touchdown. It is the only game in Clemson history that Clemson has returned a punt for a touchdown and a kickoff for a touchdown .
Last Year vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech 10, Clemson 9
Grant Field, Atlanta, GA
Clemson committed four turnovers and a late comeback fell short in a 10-9 loss to Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Tigers had not lost a fumble all season a streak that reached 499 consecutive offensive plays, but lost three to the Yellow Jackets in the first half. It was the ninth game in the last 10 meetings between the schools that was decided by five points or less.
The Tigers opened the game with an impressive march. Charlie Whitehurst hit Chansi Stuckey for a 21-yard gain down to the Georgia Tech 28, and on the following play, Whitehurst hit Bobby Williamson for 15 yards. Reggie Merriweather gained five yards on the next play before fumbling. It was his first fumble in 238 career carries.
The Yellow Jackets gained only three yards on their first offensive series of the day and punted the ball back to the Tigers. Stuckey fumbled the punt, but a fair-catch interference penalty was called on Georgia Tech, and Clemson began its drive at the Yellow Jacket 42.
After a pass to Aaron Kelly was ruled a lateral, but overturned after being reviewed, Whitehurst was pressured and fumbled. Vance Walker recovered for Georgia Tech.
Reggie Ball ran for 11 yards on first down, and the Yellow Jackets moved the ball to the Tiger 25. A delay-of-game penalty forced Travis Bell to attempt a 47-yard field goal, and he missed wide left.
The two teams traded punts before Clemson began a drive at its own six. Merriweather carried five consecutive times for 50 yards to open the drive. Kyle Browning picked up where his teammate left off and gained 21 more yards. Two plays later, Whitehurst hit Thomas Hunter for a 22-yard touchdown pass, but Clemson had only 10 men on the field and was penalized for an illegal formation. The drive ended with Jad Dean missing a 43-yard attempt wide right.
Reggie Ball threw deep for Calvin Johnson on the next Georgia Tech possession, but freshman Michael Hamlin intercepted the pass and returned it 31 yards for his first career theft. Clemson advanced the ball to the Yellow Jacket 19, but could get no closer. This time, Dean’s kick was good from 36 yards out. Georgia Tech punted after three plays on its next drive, and the Tigers had an opportunity to increase their lead before halftime. However, Whitehurst was hit from behind and fumbled again, giving Georgia Tech the ball at the Clemson 34.
The Yellow Jackets moved the ball to the Clemson 11 with 0:09 left in the half. Ball took one more shot at the endzone, but his receivers were covered and he threw the ball into the stands. Bell hit a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the half to tie the score 3-3. It was his first successful field goal after six consecutive misses.
The Yellow Jackets threatened in the third period, moving the ball to the Clemson 17. On a third-down play, Ball scrambled inside the Tiger 10, but Jamaal Fudge hit Ball and forced a fumble that was recovered by Sergio Gilliam. The two teams traded punts before Clemson began a drive with 0:14 to play in the third quarter at its own 26. The Tigers moved 49 yards on nine plays and could not get closer than the Yellow Jacket 25. Dean’s 42-yard field goal glanced off of the right upright and went through to give Clemson a 6-3 lead.
Georgia Tech wasted little time answering the Clemson score. Ball hit Johnson for 21 yards on the first play of the drive, and Tashard Choice followed with a 32-yard run. P.J. Daniels had a 16-yard run, and three plays later scored from three yards out to give the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the day by a score of 10-6.
Aaron Kelly returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to the Georgia Tech 17. It was his first career kickoff return. Merriweather gained 11 yards on first down, but Clemson could not get the ball into the endzone. Dean then drilled his third field goal, a 21-yarder to cut the Georgia Tech lead to 10-9.
The Tigers forced Georgia Tech to a three-and-out on its next drive, and Clemson got the ball back with 3:30 left at its own 48. A firstdown pass to Curtis Baham gained 11 yards, but a holding call on the next play backed the Tigers up. Three plays gained 13 yards, and a fourthdown pass to Baham was completed short of the first-down marker, as the Yellow Jackets took over on downs.
Clemson had used all of its timeouts, and Georgia Tech was nearly able to run off the remaining 2:05 off the clock. The Tigers got the ball back with 0:03 left after a punt, but Whitehurst’s desperation pass was intercepted by Dawan Landry at the Georgia Tech three-yard line.
Merriweather gained 128 yards on 23 carries, his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game and still his career high in yardage. Whitehurst completed 19 of 29 passes for 180 yards, with Stuckey catching eight of those passes for 89 yards. Nick Watkins led the Tiger defense with a career high 14 tackles, while Fudge added 10 stops.
Clemson Veterans vs. Georgia Tech
*Gaines Adams (BAN )—Had four tackles, including a sack in the 2004 game at Clemson. Had four tackles, including a tackle for loss and four quarterback pressures at Georgia Tech in 2005.
*Nathan Bennett (OG)—Graded 84 percent, his second best film grade of the year at Georgia Tech in 2005 and had 8.5 knockdown blocks.
*Cole Chason (P)—Had a 44.3 average on six punts in 2003 at Georgia Tech, the second best average of his career given a minimum of four punts. Had a 41.2 average as a sophomore in the game at Clemson in 2004. Had a 36.7 average on three punts in last year’s game in Atlanta. Has a 41.5 average on 15 punts for his career against the Yellow Jackets.
*Donnell Clark (DT)—Played eight plays in Clemson’s win at Georgia Tech in 2003. Had season high three tackles in a career high 37 plays in 2004 game at Clemson. Did not play last year as he had suffered a torn ACL the week before against Temple.
*Duane Coleman (CB)—Had 13 rushes for 86 yards and a touchdown as a running back in Clemson’s 39-3 win at Tech in 2003. Did not play in the 2004 game due to injury. Played five snaps as a reserve defensive back in last year’s game.
*James Davis (RB )—Played just one snap and had just one carry for one yard in last year’s game. He had suffered a broken wrist against NC State two weeks previous to that game.
*Jad Dean (PK )—Did not attempt a kick in the 2003 or 2004 games. Made three field goals in four attempts in last year’s game and scored all nine points for the Tigers.
*Marion Dukes (OG)—Played 15 snaps as a reserve in 2003 and graded 79 percent. Played team high 74 snaps as a starter in 2004 game and led the team in knockdown blocks with eight. Started the 2005 game at Tech and had a team best 85 percent.
*Dustin Fry (C)— Started and had a career high 94 percent blocking grade and 8.5 knockdown blocks at Georgia Tech in 2005.
*Roman Fry (OG)—Had 86 percent grade and 13.5 knockdown blocks to lead the team at Georgia Tech last year.
*C.J. Gaddis (CB )—Played 19 plays and had two tackles in 2005 game at Tech.
*Sergio Gilliam (CB)—Played 54 snaps as a starter and had five tackles in 2005 game at Tech.
*Michael Hamlin (CAT)— Made third career start at Tech in 2005 and had six tackles in 52 plays, including a 31-yard interception return.
*Thomas Hunter (TE)—Had two receptions for 23 yards in 42 plays as starting tight end in 2005.
*Rashaad Jackson (DT)—Had two tackles in 30 plays in his only start as a freshman in 2005.
*Aaron Kelly (WR)—Had two receptions for seven yards in 39 plays as a reserve, but had an 81-yard kickoff return, the longest of his career.
*Reggie Merriweather (RB)—Had career high 128 yards rushing on 23 attempts at Georgia Tech in 2005. Had 8-90 rushing, including a 62-yard touchdown run in 2004 game at Clemson. So has 218 yards rushing in 32 attempts for his career, a 6.8 average.
*Chansi Stuckey (WR)—Had one catch for 23 yards in 2004 game at Clemson and had 8-89 and one punt return for 11 yards in 2005 game at Tech.
*Nick Watkins (LB)—Had five tackles in 19 plays, including two tackles for loss in 2004 game at Clemson. Had career high 14 tackles in 59 plays as a starter in 2005 game at Georgia Tech.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Recent Thrillers
Year Result Ending
1990 Tech 21-19 Gardocki missed 60 yard FG with 1 minute left
1991 Clem,9-7 Ronald Williams 2 yard run, 2:06 left, Sisson missed
44-yard FG with 8 seconds left tipped by W. Simmons
1992 Tech 20-16 Clemson never in Tech territory in last 5 minutes
1993 Clem 16-13 Tech’s Jarrett misses 41-yard FG with 3:01 left
1996 Clem 28-25 Nealon Greene 1 run with 4:10 left
1997 Tech, 23-20 Chambers 20-yard FG with 1:54 left
1998 Tech, 24-21 Joe Burns 1-yard run, 1:00 left
1999 Tech, 45-42 Hamilton threw for 5 TDs and 322 yards for Tech
2000 Tech, 31-28 Godsey throws TD pass to Watkins with 7 seconds
2001 Clem, 47-44 Dantzler on 11 yard “walk-off run” to end game in OT
2002 Clem, 24-19 Eric Sampson intercepts at Clemson 16 with 1:12 left.
2004 Tech, 28-24 Calvin Johnson 11 pass from Reggie Ball with 11
seconds left
2005 Tech, 10-9 Tech stops Clemson on at Tech 36 with two minutes left
Clemson Successful on Homecoming
Saturday will be Homecoming at Clemson, a celebration that has included a Clemson victory nearly 75 percent of the time since its first celebration in 1922. Clemson has an overall record of 60-19-3 for its previous 82 Homecoming games, a .750 winning percentage. That includes a 30-3-2 record on Homecoming games since the 1971 season. The first homecoming game at Clemson was in 1922, a 21-0 loss to Centre. Clemson was actually 0-4-1 through its first five homecoming games, so it is surprising that the tradition continued. Clemson defeated Auburn in 1927 by a 3-0 score for its first homecoming victory.
There is no record of a homecoming game in 1930 or 1938, but the event has been held in conjunction with a football game every year since 1939, even through the war years.
Clemson has just three losses on Homecoming since 1971, and one of the three was against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets upset a 14th ranked Clemson team 30-14 in Danny Ford’s final year as Clemson head coach. That was the last loss for Ford as Clemson head coach and the only time he lost a homecoming game in 11 years as Clemson head coach. Georgia Tech went on to a fine 7-4 season in 1989, then won the national Championship the following year.
Clemson’s other two losses on homecoming since 1971 took place in 1997 to Virginia and in 2001 to North Carolina. Tommy Bowden is 6-1 in his previous seven Homecoming games, including four wins in a row. Clemson defeated a 24th ranked Virginia team on Homecoming by a 30-27 score in overtime in 2003. Clemson downed Duke 49-20 last year. Five of Tommy Bowden’s six Homecoming wins have been against ACC foes.
Georgia Tech will be the highest ranked team Clemson has ever faced on homecoming. In fact, this will mark just the fourth time Clemson has played a top 25 team for homecoming. Clemson defeated a 22nd ranked Duke team 49-17 in 1988 and a 24th ranked Virginia team in 2003 by a 30-27 score in overtime on homecoming. The Tigers defeated a 22nd ranked Georgia Tech team in 1996 by a 28-25 score. Thus, Clemson is 3-0 vs. ranked teams on homecoming.
Battle of Top 20 Teams at Clemson
This will be just the 12th battle of top 20 teams in the history of Clemson Memorial Stadium. The stadium dates to the 1942 season. Clemson has a 6-5 record in those previous 11 games involving top 20 teams, but the Tigers have lost the last three and have not won a top 20 confrontation at home since October 26, 1991 when 19th ranked Clemson defeated 12th ranked NC State 29-19.
This will be just the second top 20 meeting at Death Valley since Tommy Bowden became Clemson’s head coach in 1999. That took place last year when 13th ranked Miami (FL) defeated 20th ranked Clemson 36-30 in three overtimes.
As you can see by the chart below, this will be just the second meeting in the history of the stadium in which both teams were ranked in the top 13 in the nation entering the game, and the first time a top 13 matchup has taken place this late in the season. The only other matchup of top 13 teams in Clemson Memorial Stadium took place on September 17, 1988 when 10th ranked Florida State defeated third-ranked Clemson, 24-21. Tommy Bowden’s father, Bobby Bowden, beat Danny Ford’s Tigers that day in the famous “puntrooskie” game.
The only matchup that is close to this after October 1 took place on November 12, 1977 when a fifth ranked Notre Dame team defeated a 15th ranked Clemson team, 21-17. Notre Dame went on to win the national championship that year.
Matchups of Top 20 Teams in Death Valley (6-5)
Date Opponent CU-Op W-L CU-Opp 11/3/56 Virginia Tech 13-15 W 21-6 11/12/77 Notre Dame 15-5 L 17-21 11/6/82 North Carolina 13-18 W 16-13 11/12/83 Maryland 17-11 W 52-27 9/18/87 Georgia 8-18 W 21-20 9/17/88 Florida State 3-10 L 21-24 9/28/91 Georgia Tech 7-19 W 9-7 10/26/91 NC State 19-12 W 29-19 9/12/92 Florida State 15-5 L 20-24 9/20/97 Florida State 16-5 L 28-35 9/17/05 Miami (FL) 20-13 L 30-36 (OT)
Davis Healthy for Tech
One player who is looking forward to playing Georgia Tech is Clemson running back James Davis, the leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 106.4 average. Davis is a sophomore who grew up just a few blocks from Grant Field in Atlanta. He was looking forward to playing last year’s game, but had suffered a broken wrist in a victory at NC State just a couple weeks prior and played just one snap against the Yellow Jackets. He had one rush for one yard.
But, this season Davis has been healthy, has a 6.3 rushing average and an ACC best 14 touchdowns. In fact, no other ACC player has more than eight touchdowns so far this year. Davis has two 100- yard games this year and six for his career. All six have been in night games. The next two Clemson games at least are at night, Saturday’s game with Georgia Tech and the Thursday night game at Virginia Tech.
Tigers From Georgia
Clemson has 16 players on its “active roster” from the state of Georgia. That includes four players from the city of Atlanta, the home of Georgia Tech. James Davis, Tim DeBeer, Ray Ray McElrathbey and Kwam Williams all list Atlanta as their hometown. Davis is the starting running back and the other three play as reserves. Starters from the state of Georgia on Clemson’s active roster include Nathan Bennett (OG), Cole Chason (P), Antonio Clay (LB), and Aaron Kelly (WR). Roy Walker has had two starts at safety for an injured Michael Hamlin. Hamlin has now returned to the lineup.
Clemson Players from Georgia
No Name Pos Cl. Hometown High School 63 Nathan Bennett OG Sr. Dallas Paulding County 95 Brandon Cannon DE Gr. Lithonia Stephenson 30 Cole Chason P Gr. Roswell Atl Christian 44 Donnell Clark DT Sr. Griffin Griffin 43 Antonio Clay LB So. Jeffersonville Twiggs County 1 James Davis RB So. Atlanta Douglass 73 Tim DeBeer OT Sr. Atlanta Marist 83 Nelson Faerber WR So. Duluth Chattahoochee 90 Zach Green TE Jr. Conyers Salem 10 Cullen Harper QB So. Alpharetta Sequoyah 80 Aaron Kelly WR So. Marietta Walton 9 Ray Ray McElrathbey DB Fr. Atlanta Mays 74 Brandon Pilgrim OG Jr. Lilburn Parkview 86 Michael Palmer TE Fr. St. Mountain Parkview 17 Roy Walker S Jr. Oglethorpe Macon County 98 Kwam Williams DE Jr. Atlanta Westlake
Tigers Dominating Points off Turnover Stat under Current Coordinators
One area that has been strong for Clemson since coordinators Rob Spence and Vic Koenning came to Tommy Bowden’s staff in 2005 has been points off turnover. The Clemson offense has done a great job in terms of scoring after turnovers and the Tiger defense has done a great job of limiting scoring after the offense commits a miscue. In 2006, Clemson has a 96-16 advantage in that statistic and has not been outscored in that area in a game all year. Florida Atlantic and Wake Forest are the only two schools to score a touchdown after a Clemson turnover this year.
In 2005, Clemson had a 55-13 advantage in that statistic and was outscored in that area just once all year, by a 3-0 count in Clemson’s 13-9 win at South Carolina. Thus over the last 19 games Clemson has outscored the opposition 151-29 in terms of points off turnovers and has lost the stat just once in the last 19 games.
Clemson Offense has Been Balanced
Clemson has one of the most balanced offenses in the nation from a yardage standpoint. Each of the last two games the Tigers have had at least 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. Clemson is now 46-0-1 in its history when it has at least 200 yards of each, including a perfect 20-0 under Tommy Bowden. Three of the eight games Will Proctor has started at quarterback over the last two years, Clemson has had at least 200 of each in the same game. Clemson’s only non-victory with at least 200 of each took place at Georgia Tech in 1976, a 24-24 tie.
A look to the NCAA stats so far this year shows that Clemson is one of just five schools to average at least 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing. Clemson is joined by Louisville, Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M on that exclusive list. Is balance on offense a good indicator of victory? Those five teams are a combined 29-4 this season.
Teams with 200 Rushing and Passing in 2006
School Rushing (Rk) Passing Clemson 250.6 (4) 208.4 Louisville 214.8 (8) 293.0 Nebraska 207.7 (11) 240.7 Oregon 206.0 (12 252.3 Texas A&M 200.0 (13) 210.7
Four of Last Five at Home
Clemson is off to a 6-1 start, its best since 2000 when Clemson won its first eight games. The Tigers have five games left and four of the five are at Clemson Memorial Stadium, where Clemson has a 71.4 winning percentage (234-90-7). Clemson will play host to Georgia Tech this Saturday, go to Blacksburg, VA to face Virginia Tech on Thursday night, October 26, then face Maryland, NC State and South Carolina in Death Valley in the month of November.
This year marks the first time since 1998 that the Tigers play their last three games of the regular season at home. The October 26 date for the final road game is the earliest conclusion to the road schedule since 1998 when Clemson played its last road game on October 24.
Clemson Has Dominated the Rushing Game
Clemson has averaged 250.6 rushing yards per game so far this year, on track to be the seventh best rushing yards per game figure in Clemson history. That is saying something for a program that has featured coaches Frank Howard, Danny Ford and Ken Hatfield, three coaches who loved to run the football. The Tigers rank fourth in the nation in rushing offense.
Clemson has had at least 200 yards rushing in each of the last four games, the longest streak of 200-yard rushing games since the 2000 season when Tommy Bowden’s team opened the year with seven straight 200-yard rushing games. Clemson has actually had at least 300 yards rushing three of the last four games, and has averaged 317 yards per game during those four games.
Of course, Clemson will get a stern test this Saturday from Georgia Tech, who has allowed just 71.7 rushing yards per game, seventh best in the country.
James Davis leads the Clemson ball carriers with 106.4 yards per game and has 745 yards for the season in just 118 carries, a 6.3 average. He has scored 14 touchdowns, tied for the most touchdowns in the nation. C.J. Spiller has averaged 58.1 yards per game to rank 10th in the ACC and has a 6.7 average, while Demerick Chancellor has a 6.1 average and has 276 total yards in his six games.
Reggie Merriweather, who had 128 yards rushing against Georgia Tech last year, has a 5.8 yards per carry figure as well. He has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, but should be ready to go against Georgia Tech.
Of course the play of Clemson’s senior dominated offensive line has a lot to do with the success as well. The Clemson offensive line has a combined 125 career starts, fourth among Division programs.
Fry , Adams on Mid-Season All-America Lists
Clemson offensive guard Roman Fry and defensive end Gaines Adams have both been named mid-season All-Americans by Sports Illustrated and collegefootballnews.com. Fry was named to the first team, while Adams was named to the second team.
Fry leads the Clemson team in knockdown blocks with 62 and is a big reason Clemson leads the ACC and ranks fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game with a 250.7 figure. Adams leads the ACC in sacks with 7.5 and is a big reason Clemson ranks fifth in the nation in quarterback sacks and is fourth in total defense and 11th in scoring defense.
Clemson Has had Two Game Changing Plays of the Week
Clemson leads the nation in “Game Changing Plays” so far this year. Each week ESPN presents the Pontiac Game Changing Play of the Week. Through the first six weeks of the season, Clemson had two recipients. With the award comes a $5,000 scholarship for the university’s general scholarship fund.
James Davis won the first award for his 47-yard run on the final drive of the Florida State game on September 16. The score was tied at 20-20 and Clemson had the ball with less than a minute left at the Clemson 49. That run to the Florida State four, set up his game winning touchdown run of one yard with just eight seconds left, giving Clemson a 27-20 victory. It was the latest game-winning touchdown by a Clemson player since 1958.
Gaines Adams’s play took place on the first play of the fourth quarter at Wake Forest on October 7. With Wake Forest leading 17-3 and lining up for a 41-yard field goal, the Demon Deacons holder fumbled a bad snap, stood up and was hit by Adams. Adams jarred the ball loose, grabbed it out of the air, and ran 66 yards for a touchdown. Clemson went on to a 24-0 fourth quarter and won the contest 27-17.
Clemson Offensive Line has Experience
Tigers Second in Nation in Sacks Allowed
Clemson has a veteran offensive line, starting four seniors and a junior. Barry Richardson is the only non-senior in the group. The five have started all seven games so far this season and the Tigers have a 6- 1 mark to show for it. The group is a big reason Clemson ranks first in the nation in scoring offense, fourth in the nation in rushing offense, second in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, and sixth in total offense. No Clemson team in history has ever ranked in the top 10 in all of those categories at the end of the season.
The five offensive linemen have started a combined 125 games in their careers, fourth among Division I programs. They have played a combined 194 games and 8302 snaps. They have a combined 244 knockdown blocks so far this year and 845 for their careers.
Clemson’s Veteran Offensive Line
Name Games Starts Plays Knockdowns ’06-Career ’06-Career ’06-Career ’06-Career Roman Fry 7-42 7-17 310-1384 62-215 Dustin Fry 7-41 7-20 368-1501 40.5-143 Nathan Bennett 7-41 7-32 310-1969 52-215.5 Barry Richardson 7-30 7-26 338-1542 44-110 Marion Dukes 7-40 7-30 320-1906 45.5-161.5 Totals 35-194 35-125 1646-8302 244-845
Temple Donates Per Diem to McElrathbey Fund
Clemson defensive back Ray Ray McElrathbey has been in the national news this fall as the result of his decision to take custody of his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr. His brother lives with McElrathbey in an off-campus apartment. The story was originally told in an article in the Charleston Post & Courier by sportswriter Larry Williams in August.
Ray Ray was featured as the Person of the Week by ABC World News Tonight on September 15 and he has been featured in the New York Times, Dallas Morning News, ESPN Gameday, and many other national outlets.
A waiver was granted by the NCAA in September to give McElrathbey some relief in terms of having family members of Clemson coaches and staff care for Fahmarr when Ray Ray is out of town with the football team and in terms of transportation to and from school. The NCAA also has allowed the establishment of a trust fund to benefit Fahmarr to help him in his basic needs in terms of food and clothing.
On October 12, prior to the Temple game, Owls Head Coach Al Golden presented Tommy Bowden with a letter. The letter stated that the Temple football team had voted unanimously to contribute the team’s per diem money for that day to the Fahmarr McElrathbey Trust Fund. The contribution will be $1500.
The general public may contribute to the fund by sending a check made payable to the First Citizen F/B/O Fahmarr McElrathbey fund. The check can be sent to
Fahmarr McElrathbey Fund
C/O First Citizens and Olson Smith Jordan and Cox Attorney’s at Law
PO Box 1627
Clemson, SC 29633
Dean Goes Over 200 Points
Clemson placekicker Jad Dean made a career best 9-9 extra points in the victory over Wake Forest and is now over the 200-mark for career scoring. The senior from Greenwood, SC has now scored 218 points in his Clemson career, seventh on the Tiger scoring list and sixth among kickers. Dean went past Bob Paulling with his nine extra points against Temple.
Dean now has 44 career field goals in 58 attempts and has made 86 career extra points in 92 attempts. He is sixth in career field goals made and needs just four to move ahead of former first-team All- American David Treadwell on the all-time list. His 86 career extra points rank fifth in school history, as he just went ahead of Nelson Welch. Former teammate Aaron Hunt owns the record for extra points with 164 and Welch has the record for field goals with 72.
Clemson Career Scoring List
Rk Name Years TD PAT FG TPS 1. Aaron Hunt, PK 2000-03 0 164-172 55-76 329 2. Nelson Welch, PK 1991-94 0 85-92 72-102 301 3. Travis Zachery, RB 1998-01 50 300 4. Obed Ariri, PK 1977-80 0 99-103 63-97 288 5. Chris Gardocki, PK 1988-90 0 72-72 63-89 261 6. David Treadwell, PK 1985-87 0 92-93 47-66 233 7. Jad Dean, PK 2003-06 0 86-92 44-58 218 8. Bob Paulling, PK 1979-83 0 107-109 23-41 209 9. Lester Brown, TB 1976-79 32 192 10. Fred Cone, RB 1948-50 31 3-4 189
Tigers With Chance for Top 15 Win
Clemson will take on 13th ranked Georgia Tech on Saturday. If the Tigers can defeat the Yellow Jackets it would be Clemson’s highest ranked win at home since the 2003 season when it defeated third-ranked Florida State, also an ESPN night game. Clemson has defeated nine top 15 teams in its history at home dating to a 14-6 win over 10th ranked NC State in 1967.
Tommy Bowden has 11 wins over top 25 teams since he has been the head coach at Clemson in 1999, including a win ninth-ranked Florida State team earlier this year. He had three top 25 wins in 2005, so he has four top 25 wins over his last 19 games. In 2005 the Tigers defeated ranked reams from Texas A&M (17), Florida State (17) and South Carolina (19).
Bowden’s 11 top 25 wins are tied for second in Clemson history with Frank Howard, who had 11 between 1940-69. Danny Ford has the all-time Clemson coaching record with 20 top 25 wins. This year’s senior class has eight top 25 wins under their belts, including the win at Florida State earlier this year. The Clemson record for wins by one class is 10 set by many classes over the year.
Tommy Bowden Top 25 Wins at Clemson
Year Opponent Site AP-USA CU-Opp 1999 Virginia H 22-19 33-14 2000 South Carolina H 25-NR 16-14 2001 Georgia Tech A 9-11 #47-44 2003 Virginia H 25-24 #30-27 2003 Florida State H 3-3 26-10 2003 Tennessee N 6-7 27-14 2004 Miami (FL) A 11-10 #24-17 2005 Texas A&M H 17-17 25-24 2005 Florida State H 17-16 35-14 2005 South Carolina A 19-21 13-9 2006 Florida State A 9-10 27-20 # Overtime
Adams Ties Record
Clemson All-America candidate Gaines Adams has recorded at least one sack in five consecutive games, tying the school record for consecutive games with at least one sack. The streak started when he had 2.5 sacks at Florida State in the third game of the year, and it includes the Wake Forest game where he had a pair of sacks. He played just 12 snaps against Temple on October 12, but did record a sack to advance the streak to five games. Adams now has 7.5 sacks for the season to lead the ACC and rank ninth in the nation.
Adams is now tied with Chester McGlockton, Keith Adams (no relation to Gaines) and Leroy Hill for the consecutive games with a sack record. McGlockton did it over the 1989-90 seasons, Adams accomplished the feat in 1999 and Hill did it in 2004. McGlockton was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Adams is currently in the NFL with Miami and Hill is a starting linebacker with Seattle who started in the Super Bowl last year.
Adams moved into a tie for third place in Clemson history with the sack against Temple. He moved ahead of Brentson Buckner, who ironically played for the Carolina Panthers in the same Bank of America Stadium the game was played for five years. So Adams moved ahead of Buckner on a field Buckner was very familiar with. In fact, Bucker was at the game on the Clemson sidelines.
Adams is now tied for third in Clemson history with his 23 career sacks, trailing only the Perry Brothers. Michael Dean had 28 between 1984-87 and William had 27 between 1981-84. Adams is currently tied with Adrian Dingle and Keith Adams at 23. Clemson Career Sack Leaders
Rk Player, Pos Years Sacks 1. Michael Dean Perry, DT 1984-87 28 2. William Perry, MG 1981-84 27 3. Adrian Dingle, DT 1995-98 23 Keith Adams, LB 1998-00 23 Gaines Adams, BAN 2003-06 23 6. Brentson Buckner, DT 1990-93 22 Bryant McNeal, DE 1999-02 22 8. Chester McGlockton, DT 1989-91 20.5 9. Levon Kirkland, OLB 1988-91 19 Wayne Simmons, OLB 1995-97 19
Clemson Has +225.0 Total Offense Differential
Clemson ranks in the top 10 in the nation in both total offense and total defense, the only team to have that distinction. The Tigers are sixth in total offense and fourth in total defense. Clemson has out-gained the opposition by 225.0 yards per game so far this year. If the season ended today that would be a record for yardage differential in a season by nearly 60 yards per game. The existing record for a complete season is +165.2 yards per game set by the 1978 Clemson team that finished the year sixth in the nation in the final polls with an 11-1 record.
Clemson’s +225 yards per game total offense margin is second best in the nation behind Louisville’s +229.5 margin.
The last Clemson team to out-gain the opposition by at least 100 yards per game is the 1991 Clemson team that won the ACC Championship. That Clemson team had 403 yards of total offense per game and gave up just 272.6 for a +130.4 margin. The best total offense margin under Tommy Bowden took place in 2000 when Clemson had a total offense margin of 90 yards per game.
Clemson’s Top Total Offense Margin Seasons
Year Offense Defense Margin 2006 459.0 234.0 +225.0 1978 427.8 262.6 +165.2 1950 388.1 225.5 +162.6 1981 391.5 251.9 +139.6 1948 315.1 1772. +137.9 1990 355.4 219.2 +136.2 1987 378.5 245.4 +133.1 1991 403.0 272.6 +130.4 1939 282.0 157.5 +129.5 1963 313.9 184.7 +129.2
Tigers Off to Best Start since 2000
Clemson is off to a 6-1 start in 2006, its best start to the season since 2000. That year Clemson opened with an 8-0 record, a streak that brought Clemson to a #3 national ranking by USA Today. That undefeated start ended when Georgia Tech won at Clemson by a 31-28 score on a touchdown 16-yard pass from Gary Godsey to Kerry Watkins with just seven seconds left.
This is just the second time Clemson has won six of its first seven games since 1987 and just the sixth time since 1960. Clemson has been 6-1 or better 14 times in history. A win over Georgia Tech would give the Tigers a 7-1 record for the first time since 2000 and for just the 10th time in school history. Since 1950 Clemson has been 7-1 or better in 1977 (7-1), 1978 (7-1), 1981 (8-0), 1987 (7-1) and 2000 (8-0).
Clemson Leads ACC in Total Offense and Total Defense
Clemson enters this game leading the ACC in 12 different statistical categories. On the offensive side of the ball, Clemson leads in total offense (459.0), touchdowns (41), rushing offense (250.6), scoring offense (43.9), first downs (22.4), third-down conversion percentage (.488), fewest sacks allowed (4), and passing efficiency (151.2 rating points). Defensively, Clemson paces the conference in total defense (234.0), pass efficiency defense (96.3), and quarterback sacks (22). From a special teams standpoint, Clemson leads the ACC in kickoff returns with a 28.0 average.
Proctor Productive as Starter
Because he had started just one game in his career entering this season, some might have wondered how productive Will Proctor would be as Clemson’s starting quarterback in 2006. So far he has answered the questions with a passing efficiency of 151.2 that leads the ACC and a 63.6 percent completion percentage.
In fact, Proctor has better numbers than his predecessor, Charlie Whitehurst had last year in terms of yards per attempt, yards per completion, passing efficiency, and touchdown/interception ratio. That is pretty good company for Proctor because Whitehurst is now in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and is the holder of 46 Clemson records.
Based on the NCAA minimum standard of 15 attempts per game, Proctor’s 151.2 passing efficiency is ahead of the Clemson record pace of 146.0 by Mike Eppley in 1983. Eppley was third in the nation in passing efficiency that year in leading Clemson to a 9-1-1 record. That is the highest national ranking by a Clemson player in history. Proctor is 22nd in the nation in passing efficiency this week.
Clemson has been very productive under Proctor. Dating to his one start last year against Duke, the Tigers have a 7-1 record with the native of Winter Park, FL as the starting quarterback. Proctor is the first Clemson quarterback to win at least seven of his first eight games as the starter since the 1950-51 era. Billy Hair was 8-0 in his first eight games as a starter over the last five games of 1950 and the first three games of 1951.
Clemson has been very productive under Proctor in his eight games as a starter. Including that start against Duke last year, Clemson has averaged 457.9 yards per game in total offense and 44.5 points per game with Proctor manning the controls. The Tigers have averaged 5.4 touchdowns per game and gained 6.91 yards per play.
Whitehurst Proctor Category 2005 2006 Completion % .674 .636 Yards/Att 7.30 8.62 Yards/Comp. 10.8 13.6 Passing Efficiency 133.5 151.2 TD/Int Ratio 11/10 10/5 Yards/Game 225.7 186.0 Clemson Offensive Production under Proctor Category Total Per Game Record 7-1 Scoring 356 44.5 Total Touchdowns 43 5.38 Total Offense 3663 457.9 Passing Offense 1675 209.4 Rushing Offense 1988 248.5
Clemson on Record pace in Many Areas
Clemson is at or near a record pace in many areas so far this season. It is especially striking in total offense margin. Clemson has out-gained the opposition by 225 yards per game so far this year, ahead of the existing record by 60 yards per game. Here is a rundown of some of the categories:
Category 2006 Existing Record Passing Efficiency 151.2 148.0 in 1950 Yards/Play 6.91 6.16 in 1950 Yards/Game 459.0 436.8 in 2000 Touchdowns/G 5.86 4.58 in 2000 Points/Game 43.9 34.7 in 2000 3rd Down Conv. .488 .516 in 1978 Total Offense Mar +225.0 +165 in 1978Davis-Spiller Strong Combination
Clemson running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller have been a strong running back combination for the Tigers this year, especially in recent weeks. Over the last three weeks they have combined to average 226 yards per game on the ground. As a result, Clemson is averaging 250.6 yards per game rushing, fourth best in the nation.
For the year, Davis has averaged 106.4 yards per game, best in the ACC. Davis has also scored 14 rushing touchdowns to lead the ACC and has a pair of 100-yard rushing games. Davis is just four off the Clemson single season record for touchdowns, which is 18 by Travis Zachery in 2000.
Spiller is at 58.1 yards per game, ninth best in the ACC. Spiller had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games when he had 127 against Louisiana Tech and 104 in just nine rushes against Wake Forest. That is the first time a Clemson freshman had back to back 100-yard games since way back inÖ..2005 when Davis did it in the last two games of the season.
For the year, Davis and Spiller have combined to average 164.6 yards per game (1152 yards in seven games). They already have a combined 20 touchdowns and have averaged 6.44 yards per rush. If the season ended today, their 164.6 yards per game would be the fourth best two-person combination in Clemson history, the third best for a running back combination. The record is 172.4 rushing yards per game by Raymond Priester and Emory Smith in 1995. Woody Dantzler and Travis Zachery averaged 171.3 yards per game in 2000, but Dantzler was a quarterback and Zachery a running back.
Twenty years ago Clemson had a top running back duo in Terrence Flagler and Kenny Flowers. Flagler was a first round draft choice and first-team All-American in 1986. Flowers was injured part of that year and still had nearly 600 yards. That duo combined for 154.4 yards per game and a 5.88 average per carry. Davis and Spiller are currently at 6.44 yards per carry and ahead of that pace and a record pace overall for two players on the same team.
The record for combined touchdowns by a running back duo is 21 set by Cliff Austin and Chuck McSwain in 1982. Davis and Spiller needs just two more to break that record. The mark for any two players on the same team is 26 by Dantzler and Zachery in 2000.
Top Running Back Duos in Clemson History
(Yards/Game Basis)
Year Players GP Att Yds Avg TD Yds/G 1995 Priester-Smith 12 383 2069 5.40 20 172.4 2000 Dantzler-Zachery 12 396 2055 5.19 26 171.3 1985 Flowers-Driver 12 408 2031 4.98 15 169.3 2006 Davis-Spiller 7 179 1152 6.44 20 164.6 1982 Austin-McSwain 11 328 1705 5.20 21 155.0 1986 Flagler-Flowers 12 315 1853 5.88 15 154.4 1967 Gore-J. Jackson 10 331 1495 4.52 12 149.5 1983 Mack-Driver 11 297 1636 5.51 13 148.7 1987 Allen-McFadden 12 320 1760 5.50 14 146.2
Clemson Scoring 43.9 Points Per Game
It is just midseason, but Clemson has scored 43.9 points per game so far this season, best in the nation. The Tigers have already reached the 50-point mark four times, a first in Clemson history for one season. Clemson opened the season with a 54-6 win over Louisiana Tech, then defeated North Carolina in the ACC opener by a 52-7 score. The Tigers downed Louisiana Tech 51-0 the very next game, then scored a season high 63 points in a 63-9 win over Temple in Charlotte.
The previous record for 50-point scoring games in a season was three, set by the 1950 Tigers who finished the year with a 9-0-1 record and top 10 ranking, and the 2000 Clemson team under Tommy Bowden, who finished 9-3 with a #14 national ranking. That was a 50- year time span for the 50-point scoring record until this year.
Clemson is far ahead of the record pace for a season in terms of scoring with its 43.9 average. The existing mark is a 34.7 average set in 2000. Clemson’s best national finish in scoring offense in #5, a ranking the 1978 Tigers had when they averaged 31.9 points per game.
Clemson’s Highest Scoring Teams
Rk Year PPG 2006 43.9 1. 2000 34.7 2. 1950 34.4 3. 1984 31.5 4. 2001 30.8 5. 1983 30.7 6. 1978 30.7 7. 1989 30.7 8. 1988 28.5 9. 1981 28.2Clemson #12 Ranking Best since 2000
Clemson is ranked 12th in AP, USA Today, The Harris Poll and the BCS Poll. This was the first week for a BCS ranking. It is Clemson’s highest ranking in a BCS poll since the 2000 season. Georgia Tech is ranked 13th by AP and 13th by USA Today, the second highest ranked ACC team.
This is the third consecutive week Clemson has been the highest ranked ACC team in each poll. Prior to that you have to go back to the October 22, 2000 poll to find the last time Clemson was the top ranked team from the league. Clemson actually was the highest ranked team among ACC schools for three consecutive weeks in October of 2000. Then Georgia Tech ended that streak with a 31-28 win at Clemson.
Clemson’s #12 ranking this week is its highest of this season and the highest ranking for the program in the AP poll since the October 29, 2000 poll when Clemson was 10th by AP.
The win on September 16 over ninth-ranked Florida State was the second highest ranked team Clemson has defeated on the road in its history. The only win that is ranked higher is the 10-8 victory over eighth-ranked North Carolina in 1981.
Clemson has been ranked in the top 25 of both polls in seven of the eight polls so far this year and for 11 of the last 12 over two years. Clemson was 21st in the final polls last year.
Clemson in the Polls in 2006
Week AP USA Preseason 18 18 Sept. 3 18 18 Sept. 10 26 27 Sept. 17 19 23 Sept. 24 18 19 Oct. 1 15 15 Oct. 8 12 12 Oct. 15 12 12
Many Happy Returns
Twice this year Clemson has had two returns for touchdowns in the same game. In the season opener against Florida Atlantic, Jacoby Ford raced 92 yards for a touchdown on a punt return, the longest punt return in Clemson history. In the same game, senior Sergio Gilliam took a fumble back 31 yards for a score.
In the fifth game of the year against North Carolina, Ford had a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Nick Watkins ran back an interception 26 yards for a score. Then, in the most important return of the year and possibly in many seasons, Gaines Adams returned a fumble 66 yards for a score in the victory over Wake Forest.
With the five returns for touchdowns, this 2006 Clemson team is already tied for second best in school history in this category for a season. Only the 1990 team that led the nation in total defense had more with seven returns for touchdowns. The 1997 Clemson team also had five returns for touchdowns.
Tigers Overcome 14-Point Fourth Quarter Deficit
Clemson overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Wake Forest 27-17 on October 7 in Winston-Salem. It marked just the third time in Clemson history that the Tigers overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to gain victory. The other two occurrences took place on the road as well, at Duke in 2002 and at Virginia in 1980. Two of the three 14-point, fourth quarter comebacks have come under Tommy Bowden.
Clemson scored 24 points in the fourth quarter at Wake Forest, its highest scoring fourth quarter since the 2002 Duke game when it also had 24 points.
Gaines Adams began the comeback when he jarred the ball loose from Wake Forest holder Jon Temple. The ball popped into the air and Adams deflected it to himself, caught the ball in mid-air and raced 66 yards for a touchdown to bring Clemson within 17-10. After a Wake Forest fumble that was forced on a sack by senior Brandon Cannon and recovered by senior Donnell Clark, Clemson drove 43 yards in five plays to tie the score at 17 with 11:09 Left on a 20-yard scoring pass from Will Proctor to Aaron Kelly.
Clemson then took the lead with 7:22 remaining on a 72-yard touchdown run by freshman C.J. Spiller, the longest run by a Clemson running back in 13 years. Jad Dean added a 23-yard field goal with 1:12 left to account for the final 10-point margin.
The 14-point comeback tied for the fourth biggest comeback in Clemson history based on total points trailed at any time in a game. The record is a 28-point comeback at Virginia in 1992. Clemson trailed in the first half of that game 28-0, then won 29-28.
Clemson now has nine comebacks from at least a 14-point deficit at any time in a game and four of the nine have been coached by Tommy Bowden.
Tigers are Bowl Eligible
Clemson became bowl eligible with its October 12 win over Temple. This is the second earliest calendar date in history that Clemson has become bowl eligible. The Clemson record for reaching bowl eligibility on the earliest date was set in 2000 when Clemson had its sixth victory by October 7. Clemson has reached six wins by October 28 10 times in its history, including this year.
Earliest Calendar Date for Bowl Eligibility
Year Record Final Date 6th Win 2000 6-0 9-3 October 7 2006 6-1 ?? October 12 1981 6-0 12-0 October 17 1987 6-0 10-2 October 17 1990 6-2 10-2 October 20 1989 6-2 10-2 October 21 1930 6-0 8-3 October 23 1929 6-0 8-3 October 24 1928 6-0 8-3 October 25 1978 6-1 11-1 October 28Injury Bug Continues to Deplete Roster
Tommy Bowden has had many injuries to deal with this season and the list grew after the victory over Wake Forest. Wide receiver Rendrick Taylor, Clemson’s third leading receiver with 12 receptions for 152 yards, suffered a broken arm against the Demon Deacons and is out for the season. Taylor had started four of the first six games for the Tigers.
In practice leading up to the Wake Forest game, All-ACC receiver Chansi Stuckey suffered a broken foot and missed that game. He has missed the last two games and is doubtful for Georgia Tech. Earlier this year, starting linebackers Anthony Waters (torn ACL) and Tramaine Billie (broken ankle) suffered injuries. Waters is out for the year after playing just 38 snaps in his red-shirt senior year. Billie has missed the first seven games and will not play against Georgia Tech. His status for the remainder of the year is uncertain at this time. Starting safety Michael Hamlin missed three games due to a broken foot (same injury as Stuckey), but returned to action and played every snap at Wake Forest. Senior running back Reggie Merriweather has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, but could return against Georgia Tech.
Freshman defensive tackle Etta Etta-Tawo played the first five games this year, but had tests to determine the cause of a heart ailment on October 6 and missed the Wake Forest game.
Games Missed by Clemson Players under Tommy Bowden
Starters All Players Year Players-Games Players-Games 1999 2-9 4-18 2000 6-10 10-17 2001 3-14 4-15 2002 6-38 10-45 2003 2-8 7-37 2004 3-5 4-13 2005 2-2 8-31 2006 5-19 8-28Clemson Second in the Nation in Total Offense Differential
An example of Clemson’s success on both sides of the ball at the same time is shown in the difference between the Tigers total offense stats and total defense stats so far this year. Clemson is the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in total offense and total defense and has out-gained its opposition by an average of 225 yards per game, second best in the nation. Only Louisville with a +229.5 total offense margin is better so far this season. The only teams ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total offense and total defense are Clemson, Louisville, Tulsa, Missouri, and Boise State.
Clemson ranks fourth in the nation in total defense so far this year, allowing 234.0 yards per game. Clemson is 6th in the nation in total offense with a 459.0 figure. Clemson is on pace to establish a school record for total offense margin over the course of a season. The existing record is 165.2 yards per game by the 1978 Clemson team. The best previous total offense margin under Tommy Bowden for the course of a season is +90 yards per game by the 2000 Tiger team.
This Clemson team is attempting to become just the sixth team in school history to rank in the top 25 in the nation in total offense and total defense in the same year. It was last done in 1991 when Ken Hatfield’s ACC Championship team ranked 25th in total offense and fourth in total defense. The 1978, 1963, 1960 and 1957 Clemson teams also accomplished the feat. No Clemson team has ever ranked in the top 10 in both categories in the same year. The 1978 team is the only squad to rank in the top 15 in both.
National leaders in Total Offense Margin
Rk School Off Def Margin 1. Louisville 507.8 (1) 278.3 +229.5 2. Clemson 459.0 234.0 +225.0 3. LSU 417.7 211.7 +206 4. W Virginia 466.0 281.7 +184.3
Clemson Total Offense Margin Season Bests
Year Off Def Margin 2006 459.0 234.0 +225.0 1978 427.8 262.6 +165.2 1950 388.1 225.5 +162.6 1981 391.5 251.9 +139.6 1948 315.1 1772. +137.9 1990 355.4 219.2 +136.2 1987 378.5 245.4 +133.1 1991 403.0 272.6 +130.4 1939 282.0 157.5 +129.5 1963 313.9 184.7 +129.2
Tigers in the Top 10 in 10 Categories
Clemson ranks in the top 10 in the nation in 10 different statistical categories, four on offense, five on defense and one special teams. Clemson has never finished a season ranked in the top 10 in 10 different categories.
Clemson’s highest national ranking is actually scoring offense, where Clemson is first with an average of 43.9 points per game. That is a Clemson record pace by nearly 10 points per game.
Clemson leads the ACC in rushing offense, total offense, scoring offense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense, turnover margin and fewest sacks allowed.
Individually, Clemson has four players ranked in the top 25 in six total categories. James Davis has the highest individual ranking with a #2 rating in scoring with an 12.0 average. He has scored 14 touchdowns to tie for the national lead with Wolfe of Northern Ilinois. Davis is also 13th in the nation in rushing with 106.4 yards per game. Gaines Adams is 12th in the nation in quarterback sacks with 0.93 per game. Jacoby Ford is 7th in the nation in punt returns with a 16.3 average. Jad Dean is 19th in the nation scoring
Clemson’s Top 15 National Team Rankings
•1st, scoring offense (43.9 PPG)
•6th in pass efficiency defense (96.24 rating points)
•2ndin fewest sacks allowed per game (0.57 per game)
•4th in total defense (234.0 yards per game allowed)
•4th in rushing offense (250.6 rushing yards per game)
•6th in rushing defense (69.7 yards per game allowed)
•7th in kickoff returns (28.0 yards per return)
•6th in total offense (459.0 yards per game)
•10th in tackles for loss per game (7.86)
•5th in sacks per game by defense (3.57)
•11th in scoring defense (13.3 points per game allowed)
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