To Do List
I can't wait for Saturday and another beautiful Homecoming at Clemson. The weather should be spectacular and night games in Death Valley are always a treat.
Here are ten things I would like to see Saturday night:
No Injuries
The offense has been decimated by injuries this season. Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile, Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 5-11, 214
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile, Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, Zac BrooksZac Brooks
Jr. Running Back
#24 6-1, 199
Jonesboro, AR
View Full Profile, Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 204
Moore, SC
View Full Profile, Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-3, 314
Maryville, TN
View Full Profile, Joe GoreJoe Gore
RS Jr. Offensive Tackle
#73 6-5, 283
Lake Waccamaw, NC
View Full Profile, Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Sr. Tight End
#86 6-6, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile and Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile have all had significant injuries. The offense has had to piece together personnel packages based upon availability instead of ability. Hopefully this Saturday will be without injuries.
Running Game
The Tigers have had a hard time running the ball this season. Part of the issues are along the offensive line and part has been the backs. The Tigers will have to find a running game if they want to win out. Hopefully this week we will see more productivity in the run game.
Tyshon Dye
Speaking of the running game, Saturday could mark the first appearance from former four-star running back Tyshon Dye. The red-shirt freshman missed all of last year and the first half of this season with injuries. The staff felt he was the best running back on campus before the injuries. My expectations are low due to the rust, but it would be nice to see Dye have some success. He will have to get some confidence back if he is to be a bigger factor in November.
Smart Stoudt
Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
View Full Profile has physical limitations but I have been disappointed in his decisions. Throwing into coverage has been an issue but fortunately the defenses have dropped several interceptions. My biggest issue the last two weeks has been the final drives of the first halves. Stoudt made poor decisions and ran the ball without any timeouts putting the clock into play. It did not work out in the Louisville game and the Tigers squandered points. Last week he did get a first down but was unaware he still needed to clock the ball. Fortunately it did work out and the Tigers got a field goal for a 10-7 lead at the half in Boston College. There have been a few times where he has misread the deep ball and the back shoulder throw as well.
Give Him the Best Chance to Be Successful
Given his limitations, it is important the staff gives Stoudt every chance to be successful. The offense should be tailored around his strengths. I believe the offense is better with Stoudt when the pace increases. This means less thinking and more reacting.
Kick Off Return
The Tigers got the punt return game involved in the Louisville game with Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 193
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile' 72-yard touchdown return. So far this season, the kickoff return team has been a weakness. The Tigers have not had much success in getting the ball past the 20-yard line. This would be a good week to get some confidence in this unit.
Dominating D
We have seen the defense play as well as any in the country this season. The third down defense has been a highlight as has the ability to make crucial plays late. There are few things more exciting than cheering on a dominating defensive unit in Death Valley.
Roderick ByersRoderick Byers
RS Jr. Defensive End
#55 6-3, 284
Rock Hill, SC
View Full Profile
One of the most positive players on this team is Rock Hill native Roderick Byers. He had a hard time breaking into the depth chart as a defensive lineman, so the staff moved him to offense a couple of weeks ago. I didn't notice him at the Boston College but watched him on the replay and was very encouraged. Byers lined up as a blocking tight end and got after the defense. I thought he played hard and played with a little nasty streak. Hopefully he will continue to play well enough to grab a few more snaps.
Nick SchuesslerNick Schuessler
RS So. Quarterback
#12 6-3, 195
Grayson, GA
View Full Profile
Since supposedly everyone loves the backup quarterback, it would be nice to see Nick Schuessler get some time this weekend. Since Watson is out, Schuessler is one injury away from playing time. It would be nice to get him a little experience. He will be the only quarterback other than Watson with experience heading into the spring, so some snaps might help his future.
Atmosphere
I know we won't see Death Valley at its peak in terms of atmosphere Saturday, but I am hopeful we will see a good crowd. It is Homecoming. It is a night game and it is a conference opponent. Too bad no one from Syracuse called out the Clemson crowd like Louisville. Maybe we can show them Death Valley is louder than the Carrier Dome.
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 email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*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, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Tavaris BarnesTavaris Barnes
RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-4, 273
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile and family, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Tommy "Red" Harper, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Brandy Stephens, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Jay Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Zach and Griffin Johnson, Deshaun Watson, Cole Stoudt, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Horton family, the Wessinger family and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.