Playing time breakdown: Clemson-Louisville edition |
One of the more remarkable stats you will see all season is Clemson playing 70 of its 72-man travel squad in a top-15 road matchup at Louisville.
That tells you just how well those first couple groups did in pulling away on the scoreboard, but it also speaks to a determination in getting experience on down the bench. Week-to-week, Clemson played all 15 scholarship contributors that didn’t see action the week before in another top-15 battle with Auburn. Taking a deeper look by position and the production that came with those snaps... Noting week three from the Clemson participation report (see full list below): * Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant played over 90 percent of the snaps versus Auburn, which made Saturday night a change of pace with the three freshmen (Logan Rudolph, 14 snaps; Xavier Kelly, 6; Justin Foster, 2) and Chris Register (8) shouldering more of the load. * The same can be said for D-tackle starters Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, who made way for double-digit snaps for Jabril Robinson (30), Albert Huggins (19) and Nyles Pinckney (11). Huggins posted a season-best three stops, while Robinson got in on a tackle for loss and two tackles total. * Clemson’s reserve safety group got an early start for extended playing time due to Tanner Muse’s targeting ejection 11 snaps in. Isaiah Simmons led all Clemson defensive backs with 52 plays and his nine-tackle night has him tied for third on the team in tackles (14) – and he didn’t even play in the Auburn game. Denzel Johnson (pectoral injury) made his season-debut with seven snaps, seeing an potential interception go through his hands late in the game. * With Van Smith back in the lineup, K’Von Wallace went from a career-high 70 plays versus Auburn to 17, but made the most of it with two tackles and a pass breakup. Smith totaled three stops in 46 snaps in his return from a knee sprain. * Dorian O’Daniel has posted 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pick-six versus ranked opponents back to back. He’s averaging a tackle every 5.6 snaps this season, which is up from every 7.98 last year. * After getting shutout on playing time versus Auburn, Travis Etienne led Clemson in rushing for the second time in three games in only seven snaps. Of those seven, Etienne carried the ball six times to average 16.3 yards per (an 81-yard run helps there). * Clemson’s RB leaders in snaps each saw 11 touches, with Tavien Feaster averaging nine yards and C.J. Fuller averaging four. Boosted by a 39-yard run, Adam Choice wasn’t targeted in the passing game but averaged 11.8 yards per carry. * While Deon Cain led Clemson’s receiver corps in snaps (46), backup Diondre Overton managed a career-best two catches for 48 yards over 21 plays. Cain leads the WR group in overall snaps (125) and fellow starters Hunter Renfrow (119) and Ray Ray McCloud (120) join him in at least doubling up their backups in plays – despite all nine scholarship contributors seeing action for a third-straight game. * While much of the non-Clemson crowd had already dispersed, getting a series each on the road for Zerrick Cooper (4 snaps) and Hunter Johnson (3 snaps) certainly helps in the just-in-case scenarios down the road. * The trend from the Auburn game of – left-to-right – Mitch Hyatt (66 plays), Taylor Hearn (73) and Justin Falcinelli (71) playing the majority of snaps, while right guard (Tyrone Crowder, 54; Maverick Morris, 27) and right tackle (Tremayne Anchrum, 53; Sean Pollard 26) rotate continued. The group’s versatility meant that they weren’t always at their spot on the depth chart – and 11 scholarship contributors played in all to provide some rest. Tracking Clemson's snaps against Louisville: (Noted: Season totals in parentheses. Snaps are tracked for depth-chart contributors and select scholarship athletes. Players are listed at their positions by the week’s depth chart. The participation report is provided by Clemson.) Offense (32) Quarterback (3): Kelly Bryant 74 (186), Zerrick Cooper 4 (22), Hunter Johnson 3 (23). Running Back (4): Tavien Feaster 34 (70), C.J. Fuller 30 (75), Adam Choice 9 (42), Travis Etienne 7 (22). Wide Receiver (9): Deon Cain 46 (125), Hunter Renfrow 45 (119), Ray Ray McCloud 39 (120), Amari Rodgers 23 (59), Diondre Overton 21 (55), Trevion Thompson 21 (53), Tee Higgins 18 (47), Cornell Powell 18 (39), T.J. Chase 17 (49). Tight End (5): Milan Richard 50 (135), D.J. Greenlee** 17 (51), Cannon Smith 10 (24), Shadell Bell 6 (14), J.C. Chalk 5 (19). Offensive Line (11): Taylor Hearn 73 (179), Justin Falcinelli 71 (181), Mitch Hyatt 66 (172), Tyrone Crowder 54 (140), Tremayne Anchrum 53 (140), Maverick Morris 27 (70), Sean Pollard 26 (74), John Simpson 18 (44), Gage Cervenka 7 (23), Cade Stewart 5 (41). Defense (32) Defensive End (6): Clelin Ferrell 56 (149), Austin Bryant 46 (133), Logan Rudolph 14 (26), Chris Register 8 (26), Xavier Kelly 6 (16), Justin Foster 2 (11) Defensive Tackle (6): Christian Wilkins 44 (127), Dexter Lawrence 31 (102), Jabril Robinson 30 (51), Albert Huggins 19 (34), Nyles Pinckney 11 (30), Sterling Johnson 8 (26). Linebackers (9): Kendall Joseph 55 (142), Dorian O’Daniel 50 (134), Tre Lamar 28 (87), Jalen Williams 19 (53), J.D. Davis 18 (34), Chad Smith 15 (41), Judah Davis 10 (15), James Skalski 7 (20), Shaq Smith 7 (15). DB (CB/S/NB - 11): Isaiah Simmons 52 (73), Van Smith 46 (55), Trayvon Mullen 40 (120), Ryan Carter 36 (112), A.J. Terrell 28 (60), Mark Fields 27 (78), K’Von Wallace 17 (118), Tanner Muse* 11 (108), Amir Trapp 7 (24), Nolan Turner 7 (16), Denzel Johnson 7 (7). Did not play: CB Marcus Edmond** (14), OT Chandler Reeves (21). Can still redshirt (7): CB LeAnthony Williams, OG Matt Bockhorst, OT Blake Vinson, QB Chase Brice, OT Noah NeHond, LB Baylon Spector, DE Jordan Williams. * Ejected for targeting in the first half. **Injured pregame or in-game.
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