1 2018 CLEMSON FOOTBALL @ClemsonFB ClemsonTigers.com Ti GAME CENTER SATURDAY, NOV. 3 • NOON ET • MEMORIAL STADIUM (81,500) • CLEMSON, S.C. NO. 2/2 CLEMSON (8-0, 5-0 ACC) vs. LOUISVILLE (2-6, 0-5 ACC) Date Opponent TV Score/Time (ET) 9/1 vs. FURMAN 1 ACC 48-7 W 9/8 at Texas A&M ESPN 28-26 W 9/15 vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2 ESPNU 38-7 W 9/22 at Georgia Tech* ABC 49-21 W 9/29 vs. SYRACUSE* 3 ABC 27-23 W 10/6 at Wake Forest* ESPN 63-3 W 10/13 - OPEN DATE - 10/20 vs. NC STATE* 4 ESPN 41-7 W 10/27 at Florida State* ABC 59-10 W 11/3 vs. LOUISVILLE* 5 ABC Noon 11/10 at Boston College* TBA TBA 11/17 vs. DUKE* 6 TBA TBA 11/24 vs. SOUTH CAROLINA 7 TBA TBA * - ACC contest; Note: Home games in bold; 1 Football Reunion Day; 2 Family Weekend; 3 Hall of Fame Day; 4 Homecoming; 5 IPTAY Day; 6 Military Appreciation Day; 7 Solid Orange Day 2018 SCHEDULE/RESULTS NO. 2 CLEMSON AWAITS LOUISVILLE No. 2 Clemson will return to Death Valley on Saturday, Nov. 3 when the team plays host to the Louisville Cardinals. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon ET. Saturday's pregame will mark a milestone for a unique Clemson tradition, as the Tigers will complete "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" for the 400th time in history. The Tigers have run down The Hill prior to every home game since 1942 with exception of the 1970-71 seasons, the first four games of 1972 and the first game of 1973. Clemson enters November as one of four undefeated FBS teams. The 2018 season marks the 16th time in school history that the Tigers will enter November without a loss, including the third time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney (2015, 2016 and 2018). Since trailing Syracuse, 16-7, at halftime on Sept. 29, Clemson has outscored opponents 183-27, including a 163-20 scoring advantage in three games in the month of October. Clemson's 47.7-point differential in October was its largest in any month with multiple games in program history, surpassing a 44.5-point average differential in two games in September 1950. The strength of Clemson's performances on both sides of the ball has been evidenced by its numbers on both a per-game and per-play basis. Clemson has outgained opponents by an average of 258.7 yards per game this season, the largest margin in the country and more than two yards ahead of top-ranked Alabama (+256.4). Examining it on a per-play level to adjust for tempo, Clemson holds a 7.20-3.94 yards-per-play advantage over opponents this season and is one of three FBS squads outgaining opponents by 3.0-plus yards per play. CLEMSON FOOTBALL ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Athletic Communications: 864-656-2114 Ticket Office Phone 1-800-CLEMSON Social Media @ClemsonFB Website(s) ClemsonTigers.com DaboSwinney.com Practice Facility: Allen N. Reeves Football Complex, 100 Reeves Lane Clemson, SC 29631 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 31 Clemson, SC 29633 DABO SWINNEY PRESS CONFERENCE Head Coach Dabo Swinney holds his weekly press conference at the Team Meeting Room on the second floor of the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex each Tuesday at 11 a.m. Each Tuesday press conference will be available on ClemsonTigers.com. COORDINATOR AVAILABILITY A Clemson offensive coordinator — either Tony Elliott or Jeff Scott — will be available on Mondays at 11:45 a.m. at the Poe Indoor Facility. Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables will be available at the Poe Indoor Facility on Mondays at noon. STUDENT-ATHLETE INTERVIEWS The majority of Clemson student-athlete interviews are held each Monday in the Poe Indoor Facility. Contact Ross Taylor each Sunday by 4 p.m. with your requests for the week. Monday availability will typically start at 11 a.m. A few players may also be made available after Coach Swinney’s Tuesday press conference. ACC COACHES TELECONFERENCE The ACC holds a teleconference for the media every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m., to 1 p.m. The first session is Aug. 29 and the last is Nov. 21. The final teleconference (Nov. 20) is held on Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. The teleconference is live streamed on TheACC.com. Please reach out to the ACC to inquire about call access. Time Head Coach Team 10:40 a.m. Bronco Mendenhall Virginia 10:50 a.m. Dabo Swinney Clemson 11 a.m. Bobby Petrino Louisville 11:10 a.m. Dino Babers Syracuse 11:20 a.m. Larry Fedora North Carolina 11:30 a.m. Paul Johnson Georgia Tech 11:40 a.m. Willie Taggart Florida State 11:50 a.m. Justin Fuente Virginia Tech Noon Dave Clawson Wake Forest 12:10 p.m. Pat Narduzzi Pittsburgh 12:20 p.m. Steve Addazio Boston College 12:30 p.m. David Cutcliffe Duke 12:40 p.m. Dave Doeren NC State 12:50 p.m. Mark Richt Miami (Fla.) SWINNEY SUNDAY TELECONFERENCE Head Coach Dabo Swinney will hold a teleconference each Sunday at 6 p.m. Contact Ross Taylor to request access to the call. MEDIA AVAILABILITY CLEMSON/LOUISVILLE SERIES HISTORY: - OVERALL: Clemson leads series, 4-0 - HOME: Clemson leads series, 2-0 - ROAD: Clemson leads series, 2-0 - NEUTRAL: N/A - LAST MEETING: Sept. 16, 2017 (47-21, W) - STREAK: Clemson, Won 4 GAME CREDENTIALS Media wishing to apply for credentials to cover Clemson Football games at Memorial Stadium will be asked to apply at www.sportssystems.com/clemson. Please contact Libby Kehn at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. WEEKLY ACCESS Media members without season credentials should contact Ross Taylor to request access to player and coach media availability at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex. All credentialing decisions are made in accordance with the Clemson University Athletics Media Credential Policy, available at ClemsonTigers.com/mediapolicy. CREDENTIALS Primary Contact [email protected]O: 864-656-9767 C: 972-741-7778 ROSS TAYLOR Secondary Contact [email protected]O: 864-656-1921 C: 864-986-9046 BRIAN HENNESSY Feature Video Production [email protected]O: 864-656-2956 NIK CONKLIN Associate AD [email protected]O: 864-656-1626 JONATHAN GANTT Design & Digital [email protected]O: 864-656-1920 JEFF KALLIN Credentials [email protected]LIBBY KEHN RADIO: Clemson Tigers Network (Don Munson, Rodney Williams, Tim Bourret, Reggie Merriweather) **Sirius 103, XM 193, Internet 955** TELEVISION: ABC (Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath)
34
Embed
CLEMSON FOOTBALL ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS · years (1948, 1981, 2015 and 2016). Clemson earned conference titles in all of the previous four seasons in which it opened 9-0. - Clemson
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Date Opponent TV Score/Time (ET)9/1 vs. FURMAN1 ACC 48-7 W9/8 at Texas A&M ESPN 28-26 W9/15 vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2 ESPNU 38-7 W9/22 at Georgia Tech* ABC 49-21 W9/29 vs. SYRACUSE*3 ABC 27-23 W10/6 at Wake Forest* ESPN 63-3 W10/13 - OPEN DATE -10/20 vs. NC STATE*4 ESPN 41-7 W10/27 at Florida State* ABC 59-10 W11/3 vs. LOUISVILLE*5 ABC Noon11/10 at Boston College* TBA TBA11/17 vs. DUKE*6 TBA TBA11/24 vs. SOUTH CAROLINA7 TBA TBA* - ACC contest; Note: Home games in bold; 1 Football Reunion Day; 2 Family Weekend; 3 Hall of Fame Day; 4 Homecoming; 5 IPTAY Day; 6 Military Appreciation Day; 7 Solid Orange Day
2018 SCHEDULE/RESULTSNO. 2 CLEMSON AWAITS LOUISVILLENo. 2 Clemson will return to Death Valley on Saturday,
Nov. 3 when the team plays host to the Louisville Cardinals. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon ET.
Saturday's pregame will mark a milestone for a unique Clemson tradition, as the Tigers will complete "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" for the 400th time in history. The Tigers have run down The Hill prior to every home game since 1942 with exception of the 1970-71 seasons, the first four games of 1972 and the first game of 1973.
Clemson enters November as one of four undefeated FBS teams. The 2018 season marks the 16th time in school history that the Tigers will enter November without a loss, including the third time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney (2015, 2016 and 2018).
Since trailing Syracuse, 16-7, at halftime on Sept. 29, Clemson has outscored opponents 183-27, including a 163-20 scoring advantage in three games in the month of October. Clemson's 47.7-point differential in October was its largest in any month with multiple games in program history, surpassing a 44.5-point average differential in two games in September 1950.
The strength of Clemson's performances on both sides of the ball has been evidenced by its numbers on both a per-game and per-play basis. Clemson has outgained opponents by an average of 258.7 yards per game this season, the largest margin in the country and more than two yards ahead of top-ranked Alabama (+256.4). Examining it on a per-play level to adjust for tempo, Clemson holds a 7.20-3.94 yards-per-play advantage over opponents this season and is one of three FBS squads outgaining opponents by 3.0-plus yards per play.
CLEMSON FOOTBALL ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONSAthletic Communications: 864-656-2114Ticket Office Phone 1-800-CLEMSONSocial Media @ClemsonFBWebsite(s) ClemsonTigers.com DaboSwinney.comPractice Facility: Allen N. Reeves Football Complex, 100 Reeves Lane Clemson, SC 29631Mailing Address: P.O. Box 31 Clemson, SC 29633
DABO SWINNEY PRESS CONFERENCE Head Coach Dabo Swinney holds his weekly press conference at the Team Meeting Room on the second floor of the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex each Tuesday at 11 a.m. Each Tuesday press conference will be available on ClemsonTigers.com.
COORDINATOR AVAILABILITY A Clemson offensive coordinator — either Tony Elliott or Jeff Scott — will be available on Mondays at 11:45 a.m. at the Poe Indoor Facility. Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables will be available at the Poe Indoor Facility on Mondays at noon.
STUDENT-ATHLETE INTERVIEWS The majority of Clemson student-athlete interviews are held each Monday in the Poe Indoor Facility. Contact Ross Taylor each Sunday by 4 p.m. with your requests for the week. Monday availability will typically start at 11 a.m. A few players may also be made available after Coach Swinney’s Tuesday press conference.
ACC COACHES TELECONFERENCE The ACC holds a teleconference for the media every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m., to 1 p.m. The first session is Aug. 29 and the last is Nov. 21. The final teleconference (Nov. 20) is held on Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. The teleconference is live streamed on TheACC.com. Please
reach out to the ACC to inquire about call access.
Time Head Coach Team10:40 a.m. Bronco Mendenhall Virginia10:50 a.m. Dabo Swinney Clemson11 a.m. Bobby Petrino Louisville11:10 a.m. Dino Babers Syracuse11:20 a.m. Larry Fedora North Carolina11:30 a.m. Paul Johnson Georgia Tech11:40 a.m. Willie Taggart Florida State11:50 a.m. Justin Fuente Virginia TechNoon Dave Clawson Wake Forest12:10 p.m. Pat Narduzzi Pittsburgh12:20 p.m. Steve Addazio Boston College12:30 p.m. David Cutcliffe Duke12:40 p.m. Dave Doeren NC State12:50 p.m. Mark Richt Miami (Fla.)
SWINNEY SUNDAY TELECONFERENCE Head Coach Dabo Swinney will hold a teleconference each Sunday at 6 p.m. Contact Ross Taylor to request access to the call.
MEDIA AVAILABILITYCLEMSON/LOUISVILLE SERIES HISTORY: - OVERALL: Clemson leads series, 4-0
- HOME: Clemson leads series, 2-0
- ROAD: Clemson leads series, 2-0
- NEUTRAL: N/A
- LAST MEETING: Sept. 16, 2017 (47-21, W)
- STREAK: Clemson, Won 4
GAME CREDENTIALS Media wishing to apply for credentials to cover Clemson Football games at Memorial Stadium will be asked to apply at www.sportssystems.com/clemson. Please contact Libby Kehn at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
WEEKLY ACCESS Media members without season credentials should contact Ross Taylor to request access to player and coach media availability at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex. All credentialing decisions are made in accordance with the Clemson University Athletics Media Credential Policy, available at ClemsonTigers.com/mediapolicy.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK- Clemson attempting to open a season 9-0 for the fifth
time in program history and the third time in the last four years (1948, 1981, 2015 and 2016). Clemson earned conference titles in all of the previous four seasons in which it opened 9-0.
- Clemson winning the first nine games of a season for the third time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney (2015 and 2016). All other coaches in Clemson history have combined for two 9-0 starts, including one each by Frank Howard and Danny Ford.
- Clemson attempting to win four consecutive games by at least 30 points for the first time in school history. The Tigers have earned wins of 60, 34 and 49 points in their last three contests.
- Clemson improving to 5-0 all-time against Louisville.- Clemson winning its first five games against a school
for the seventh time all-time. The Tigers previously won each of their first five contests against Appalachian State, The Citadel, Furman, Newberry, Virginia and Western Carolina.
- Clemson completing "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" for the 400th time in history. The Tigers have run down The Hill prior to every home game since 1942 with exception of the 1970-71 seasons, the first four games of 1972 and the first game of 1973.
- Clemson (163 points in the last three games) scoring 45 points to match or 46 points to break the team record for points in a four-game span, set in 1900 (208). That four-game stretch in 1900 featured point totals of 39, 12 and 35 prior to a 122-0 win vs. Guilford.
- Clemson attempting to tie a school record by scoring 40 points in a fourth consecutive game. Clemson has previously recorded four straight 40-point games three times (2009, 2012, 2013), with all three previous instances coming under Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
- Clemson winning the 27th of its last 28 games against ACC Atlantic Division opponents.
- Clemson defeating an ACC foe for the 31st time in its last 33 opportunities, including conference championship games, dating back to 2015.
- Clemson winning its 13th consecutive game at Memorial Stadium, dating back to a 56-7 win against South Carolina on Nov. 25, 2016. The current 12-game streak is Clemson's third-longest home winning streak in Dabo Swinney’s tenure as head coach (21 from 2013-16, 13 from 2011-12).
- Clemson improving to 37-4 in ACC contests at Memorial Stadium under Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
- Clemson extending its winning streak in Saturday games to 25 to extend the longest Saturday winning streak in school history. The current 24-game streak is the longest of any school in the country.
- Clemson entering the week as the only program in the country in the Top 10 in both total offense (522.6, tied for eighth) and total defense (263.9, third). Clemson's 258.7-yard average yardage differential is the best in the country, more than two yards ahead of top-ranked Alabama (+256.4).
- Clemson reaching 500 yards of offense in consecutive games for the first time this season and the first time since closing the 2016 season and opening the 2017 season with 500-yard games.
- Clemson accruing 450 yards of offense in a seventh straight game for the first time since a 12-game streak spanning the final 11 games of 2015 and the opener in 2016.
- Clemson passing for 300 yards in three straight games for the first time since a four-game span against NC State, Florida State, Syracuse and Pitt in 2016.
- Clemson passing for 400 yards in back-to-back games for the first time since 2013 against Wake Forest
NOTES
Nickname TigersLocation Clemson, S.C. 29633Colors Tiger Orange & RegaliaFounded 1889Enrollment (2017-18) 24,387President Dr. James P. Clements (Maryland-Baltimore County ‘85)Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich (Indiana (Pa.) ‘80)Conference Atlantic Coast Conference (Atlantic Division)Facility (Capacity) Memorial Stadium (81,500) Year Opened 1942 Record Crowd 86,092 (Oct. 23, 1999 vs. Florida State)Head Coach Dabo Swinney (Alabama '93) Years as a full-time college coach* 23 Winning seasons (HC & Asst.)* 20 Bowl seasons (HC & Asst.)* 19 Record as an assistant coach 106-58-1 (.645) Record as a head coach^ 109-30 (.784) Record at Clemson (HC & Asst.) 152-55 (.734) * entering 2018; ^ all at ClemsonFirst Year of Football 1896Seasons of Football (inc. 2018) 123Overall Record 737-459-45Record in ACC Play (since 1953) 291-144-6 ACC regular season play* 287-143-6 ACC Championship Games 4-1 * According to ACC recordsNational Championships 2 (1981, 2016)Conference Championships 23 SIAA (4) 1900,02,03^,06^ Southern (2) 1940,48 ACC (17) 1956,58,59,65,66,67,78,81,82, 86,87,88,91,2011,15,16,17 ^ indicates co-championshipBowl Appearances 42 Bowl Record 22-20 First appearance 1939 (Cotton Bowl)College Football Playoff Berths 3 2015, 2016*, 2017 * denotes National Championship Consensus All-Americans 25* *Counts Terry Kinard (1981-82) and Vic Beasley (2013-14) twice for earning multiple selectionsAP First-Team All-Americans 22* *Counts Terry Kinard (1981-82) twice for earning multiple selections
QUICK FACTS - CLEMSONand Syracuse.
- Clemson attempting to throw five touchdown passes in consecutive games for the first time since 2012 vs. Wake Forest and Duke.
- Clemson attempting to outrush an opponent for the eighth time in nine games this season. The Tigers enter this week having outrushed opponents in 18 of their 22 games since 2017 and are 18-0 when outrushing opponents in that time frame.
- Clemson posting back-to-back games with zero sacks allowed for the first time since 2012 vs. NC State and Maryland.
- Clemson attempting to hold opponents to 10 or fewer points in four straight games for the first time since the first four games of the 2000 season.
- Clemson forcing a takeaway in a 17th consecutive contest, the program's longest streak since an 18-game stretch across the 2004-05 seasons.
- Clemson posting at least five sacks in consecutive games for the first time since 2017 vs. Auburn and Louisville.
- Clemson entering the game as one of five schools (Ball State, Georgia Tech, SMU and Syracuse) with three active 1,000-yard career rushers on its current roster (Adam Choice, Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster).
- Running back Travis Etienne rushing for 200 yards for the second time in his career to tie the school record for career 200-yard rushing games (Ray Yauger, 1967-69; Terrence Flagler, 1982-86; Raymond Priester, 1994-97; Andre Ellington, 2009-12).
- Etienne (845) rushing for 155 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark in his nine game of the season to tie Terrence Flagler's school record for fewest games needed to reach 1,000 rushing yards (nine in 1986). Etienne's 2018 campaign would be the 21st 1,000-yard rushing season in school history.
- Etienne (27) chasing No. 8 Terry Allen (28 from 1987-89), No. 7 Fred Cone (30 from 1948-50) and No. 6 Lester Brown (31 from 1976-79) on the school's leaderboard for career rushing touchdowns.
- Etienne (28) chasing No. 8 Sammy Watkins (29), No. 7 Fred Cone (31) and No. 6 Lester Brown (32) on the school's leaderboard for total touchdowns in a career.
- Etienne (14) needing three touchdowns to tie and four touchdowns to break Clemson's record of 17 for rushing touchdowns in a single season, held jointly by Lester Brown (1978), James Davis (2006) and Wayne Gallman (2016).
- Defensive end Clelin Ferrell entering the week with 22.5 career sacks, fifth-most among active players in the FBS.
- Ferrell (22.5, seventh) recording a sack to move past Adrian Dingle and Keith Adams (23.0 each) for fifth-most career sacks in Clemson history.
- Wide receivers Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers each attempting to become the first Clemson receiver to catch multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games since Deon Cain vs. Louisville and Boston College in 2016.
- Higgins attempting to become the first Clemson player to catch a touchdown in four straight games since Mike Williams posted two four-game streaks in 2016.
- Higgins (six) entering the game three touchdowns shy of Deon Cain's school record for receiving touchdowns by a sophomore (nine in 2016).
- Rodgers attempting to record 100 receiving yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career. He would be the first Clemson player with consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Mike Williams against Syracuse and Pitt in 2016.
- Kicker Greg Huegel (50) kicking two field goals to pass Jad Dean (51 from 2003-06) for sixth-most career
Location Louisville, Ky.Enrollment 22,640President Neeli BendapudiAthletic Director Vince TyraNickname CardinalsColors Red, Black, Yellow, GrayConference Atlantic Coast ConferenceHome Field (Capacity) Cardinal Stadium (61,000)Head Coach Bobby PetrinoRecord at School 77-33 (8+)Career Record 119-54 (13+)Weekly Press Conference Monday, 1:30 p.m.Offensive Coordinators Lonnie Galloway, Mike SummersDefensive Coordinator Brian VanGorderLettermen Returning/Lost 45/17Starters Returning/Lost 15/12Football ACD Rocco GasparroEmail [email protected] 502-852-0102ACD Overnight Address 2100 S. Floyd St.; Lousiville, KY 40208Athletic Website GoCards.comTwitter @UOfLFootball
field goals in school history.- Tackle Mitch Hyatt (3,343) playing 19 snaps to pass
center Dalton Freeman (3,361 from 2009-12) for the most career snaps from scrimmage in Clemson history.
- Hyatt making his 51st career start to add to his school record for career starts by an offensive lineman. It would pull him one start shy of kicker Chandler Catanzaro's school record of 52 career starts.
- Linebacker Tre Lamar attempting to intercept a pass in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He would be the first Clemson player with picks in consecutive games since Ryan Carter against South Carolina and Miami last year.
- Defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence (three) blocking his fourth career placekick to tie Jarvis Jenkins' school record for most career blocked placekicks (four from 2007-10).
- Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwing four touchdown passes to tie or five touchdown passes to break Kyle Parker's school record for touchdown passes by a freshman (20). Lawrence already holds the record for touchdown passes by a true freshman.
- Lawrence attempting to become the first Clemson player to throw four touchdown passes in consecutive games since Deshaun Watson vs. Louisville (five) and Boston College (four) in 2016.
- Lawrence (1,528) accounting for 139 combined rushing and passing yards to break Deshaun Watson's school record for total offense by a true freshman (1,666 in 2014).
- Lawrence attempting to tie a school record by throwing for 300 yards in three consecutive games. Tajh Boyd holds the program mark with two separate three-game streaks during the 2013 season.
- Lawrence entering the game having not thrown an interception in his last 130 pass attempts. His most recent interception came on his fourth pass attempt against Georgia Tech. Tajh Boyd holds the school record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (187 from 2012-13). Cullen Harper holds the mark in a single season with 143 in 2007.
- Clemson winning a fifth game with Lawrence as the starting quarterback to give him the school record for most wins as a true freshman starting quarterback.
- Hunter Renfrow (36) catching a pass to extend his streak of consecutive games played with a reception to 37 to move past Jerry Butler for sole possession of the second-longest streak in school history. It would pull him within one game of Artavis Scott's team record of 38 from
2014-16.- Renfrow (1,879) entering the game 121 yards away
from becoming the 13th player in school history to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
- Renfrow (163) chasing No. 7 Rod Gardner (166) and No. 6 Derrick Hamilton (167) on the school's leaderboard for career receptions.
- Renfrow (15) recording his 16th career touchdown reception to tie Terrance Roulhac, Derrick Hamilton and Jacoby Ford (16 each) for 10th-most career touchdown receptions in Clemson history.
- Christian Wilkins making his 39th career start. The Clemson record for career starts by a defensive tackle is 40, set by Jim Stuckey from 1976-79. (Note: Wilkins has also started at defensive end in his career but is currently listed at tackle).
-- ON THE OPPONENT --
SERIES HISTORY VS. LOUISVILLEClemson and Louisville had never met prior to the
Cardinals' addition to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2014. The teams have played every year since as Atlantic Division foes.
Clemson holds an unblemished 4-0 mark against Louisville all-time, but those four wins have not come without drama.
The teams first met in 2014 when the 3-2 Tigers hosted the 5-1 Cardinals at Death Valley. Clemson led 14-10 at halftime thanks to two non-offensive touchdowns, including a 72-yard punt return touchdown by Adam Humphries and a fumble recovery in the end zone by Grady Jarrett. Trailing 23-17 late, Louisville drove to the Tiger two-yard line, but defensive lineman DeShawn Williams batted away a final Louisville pass to secure the win for Clemson.
A year later, Clemson won the first game contested between the two schools in Louisville, earning a 20-17 victory in both schools' conference opener. Touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow and Jordan Leggett and two Greg Huegel field goals accounted for Clemson's 20 points, while an interception by safety Jadar Johnson on the final play of the game sealed the victory for the visiting Tigers.
A win on Saturday would give Clemson a win in its first five games against a school for the seventh time all-time. The Tigers previously won each of their first five contests against Appalachian State, The Citadel, Furman, Newberry, Virginia and Western Carolina.
NOTESLOUISVILLE (4-0)
Year CU LOU Rank Site W-L CU LOU2014 3-2 5-1 H W 23 172015 2-0 0-2 11/- A W 20 172016 4-0 4-0 5/3 H W 42 362017 2-0 2-0 3/14 A W 47 21Totals 132 91
LAST MEETING VS. LOUISVILLEClemson 47, Louisville 21(Sept. 16, 2017 at Louisville, Ky.)After the first three all-time meetings between Clemson
and Louisville produced nail-biting conclusions, the third-ranked Tigers left no doubt in a 47-21 rout of the No. 14 Cardinals in Louisville. Clemson rolled up 616 yards of total offense to Louisville's 433 in a prime-time contest that had been preceded earlier in the day by the appearance of ESPN's College GameDay.
The teams traded first-quarter touchdowns, but Clemson outscored Louisville, 12-0, in the second frame
with two Greg Huegel field goals and a 79-yard touchdown reception by Ray-Ray McCloud. The 79 yards added to quarterback Kelly Bryant's career-high 316 passing yards, as he dueled with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
Clemson added another 14 points to the margin in the third quarter, with linebacker Dorian O'Daniel scoring on a 44-yard interception return and Bryant adding his second touchdown run of the contest. The schools would each tack on 14 points in the fourth quarter, the final score of which came on true freshman running back Travis Etienne's career-long 81-yard rush, to bring the final score to 47-21.
LAST HOME GAME VS. LOUISVILLEClemson 42, Louisville 36(Oct. 1, 2016)A charged Memorial Stadium crowd watched an
electrifying performance by two Top 5 squads, as No. 5 Clemson recorded a late stop to defeat No. 3 Louisville, 42-36. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 27-44 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and rushed 31 times for 162 yards and an additional two scores on the ground, while Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 20-31 passes for 306 yards with five touchdowns and rushed 14 times for 91 yards. The duo would go on to finish first and second, respectively, for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season.
After a scoreless opening frame, Clemson got out to a 28-10 halftime lead on three Watson touchdown passes (two to Deon Cain, one to Artavis Scott) and a Wayne Gallman touchdown run. Louisville responded with 16 points in the third quarter to cut the score to 28-26.
The Cardinals took a 36-28 lead with less than eight minutes remaining in the contest on Jackson's second touchdown run of the evening. Watson then led the Tigers on consecutive touchdown drives culminating in touchdown passes to Mike Williams and Jordan Leggett, respectively, for a 42-36 lead.
Trailing by six, Louisville drove all the way down to the Clemson nine. However, on 4th-and-12 from the Clemson 14, defensive back Marcus Edmond knocked receiver James Quick out of bounds one yard shy of the marker, forcing a turnover on downs that preserved the victory for Clemson in the midst of the Tigers' national championship season.
ACTIVE PLAYERS: CAREER STATS VS. OPPONENT
- Austin Bryant, DE: Recorded one tackle at Louisville in 2017. Did not play vs. Louisville in 2016 at Clemson. Played three snaps at Louisville in 2015.
- Adam Choice, RB: Posted 47 yards and a touchdown on four carries at Louisville in 2017. Did not have a carry in 2016 win at Clemson. Redshirted during 2015 contest. Had a game-high 61 yards on 16 carries and an eight-yard reception at Clemson in 2014.
- J.D. Davis, LB: Credited with two tackles in 18 snaps at Louisville in 2017.
- Travis Etienne, RB: Had a game-high 98 yards and an 81-yard touchdown on six carries and two kickoff returns for 30 yards at Louisville in 2017.
- Tavien Feaster, RB: Rushed 10 times for 92 yards and caught a seven-yard pass at Louisville in 2017.
- Clelin Ferrell, DE: Made three tackles at Louisville in 2017. Recorded two sacks among his three tackles vs. Louisville in Clemson in 2016.
- Mark Fields, CB: Contributed five tackles at Louisville in 2017. Made one tackle vs. Louisville in Clemson in 2016.
- Tee Higgins, WR: Had an eight-yard catch at Louisville in 2017.
- Greg Huegel, PK: Converted field goals of 31 and 49 yards at Louisville in 2017. Did not attempt a field goal vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2016. Made two field goal attempts in a three-point win at Louisville in 2015.
- Albert Huggins, DT: Had three tackles in 19 snaps at Louisville in 2017. Notched two sacks in 23 snaps vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2016.
- Denzel Johnson, S: Had a tackle and pass breakup in seven snaps at Louisville in 2017.
- Kendall Joseph, LB: Had two tackles and a pass breakup in 55 snaps at Louisville in 2017. tallied 11 tackles in 100 snaps vs. Louisville in Clemson in 2016.
- Tre Lamar, LB: Made one tackle at Louisville in 2017. Played six snaps vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2016.
- Dexter Lawrence, DT: Had two tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures in 31 snaps at Louisville in 2017. Made seven tackles in 67 snaps vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2017.
- Trayvon Mullen, CB: Cousin of former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. Credited by the coaching staff with seven tackles at Louisville in 2017. Played on special teams vs. Louisville in Clemson in 2016.
- Tanner Muse, S: Had a tackle and pass breakup in 11 snaps at Louisville in 2017.
- Diondre Overton, WR: Recorded two receptions for 48 yards at Louisville in 2017. Made a special teams tackle vs. Louisville in Clemson in 2016.
- Chris Register, DE: Had a tackle and 0.5 sacks in eight snaps at Louisville in 2017.
- Hunter Renfrow, WR: Had four receptions for 71 yards at Louisville in 2017. DNP vs. Louisville in 2016. Recorded first career touchdown reception at Louisville in 2015 on a 32-yard pass from Deshaun Watson.
- Milan Richard, TE: Had an 11-yard reception at Louisville in 2017.
- Isaiah Simmons, LB/S: Had a team-high nine tackles in 52 snaps at Louisville in 2017.
- Chad Smith, LB: Had a tackle and 0.5 sacks in 15 snaps at Louisville in 2017. Had three tackles, including two on special teams vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2016.
- Will Spiers, P: Earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors after posting a 51.8-yard average on four punts with three punts inside the 20 at Louisville in 2017.
- A.J. Terrell, CB: Credited with a tackle at Louisville in 2017.
- Christian Wilkins, DT: Had a sack in 44 snaps at Louisville in 2017. Posted a tackle for loss and pass breakup vs. Louisville at Clemson in 2016. Had 10 tackles at Louisville in 2015.
- Jalen Williams, LB: Had a tackle and two pass breakups in 19 snaps at Louisville in 2017.
-- NOTES FROM LAST WEEK --
POSTGAME NOTES VS. FLORIDA STATE- The 49-point victory by Clemson was the largest
home defeat suffered by Florida State, surpassing a 44-point home loss to Southern Miss on Nov. 14, 1981. It matched Florida State’s largest margin of defeat at any location in school history, equaling a 49-point loss at Florida in 1973.
- Clemson’s 59 points were the most ever scored by any opponent at Florida State.
- Clemson has now scored 40 points in three straight games for the first time since the final game of 2014 and the first two games of 2015. It represents Clemson's first time doing so in a single season since a four-game span in games 8-11 of the 2013 season.
- Clemson’s 59 points were its most in the 32-game all-time series against Florida State, surpassing Clemson’s 40 points against the Seminoles in 2009.
- Clemson played all 72 available players in the victory.
NOTES
PRESEASON
HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY: Dodd Trophy Watch List
#7 AUSTIN BRYANT, DL: Preseason All-ACC, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
#9 TRAVIS ETIENNE, RB: Maxwell Award Watch List, Doak Walker Award Watch List
#13 HUNTER RENFROW, WR: Preseason All-ACC
#16 TREVOR LAWRENCE, QB: Maxwell Award Watch List (Midseason addition)
#34 KENDALL JOSEPH, LB: Preseason All-ACC, Butkus Award Watch List
#42 CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DL: Preseason All-ACC, Preseason All-American (AP, ESPN), Maxwell Award Watch List, Bednarik Award Watch List, Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, Outland Trophy Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List, Wuerffel Trophy Nominee
#76 SEAN POLLARD, OL: Wuerffel Trophy Nominee; AFCA Good Works Team
#80 MILAN RICHARD, TE: Mackey Award Watch List
#90 DEXTER LAWRENCE, DL: Preseason All-ACC, Pre-season All-American (AP), Bednarik Award Watch List, Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, Outland Trophy Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
#92 GREG HUEGEL, PK: Groza Award Watch List
#99 CLELIN FERRELL, DL: Preseason All-ACC, Preseason All-American (AP, ESPN), Bednarik Award Watch List, Na-gurski Trophy Watch List, Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
2018 SEASON AWARDS
#5 TEE HIGGINS, WR: ACC Receiver of the Week (at Texas A&M)
#9 TRAVIS ETIENNE, RB: Maxwell Award Semifinalist, ACC Running Back of the Week (at Georgia Tech, vs. Syracuse)
#16 TREVOR LAWRENCE, QB: ACC Rookie of the Week (at Georgia Tech, vs. NC State, at Florida State)
#23 LYN-J DIXON, RB: ACC Rookie of the Week (at Wake Forest)
#42 CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DL: Campbell Trophy Semi-finalist, Senior CLASS Award FInalist, Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist
#57 TRE LAMAR, LB: Butkus Award Semifinalist
#73 TREMAYNE ANCHRUM, OL: ACC Co-Offensive Line-man of the Week (vs. Furman)
#75 MITCH HYATT, OL: ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (at Texas A&M, vs. Syracuse, vs. NC State)
#99 CLELIN FERRELL, DL: Bednarik Award Semifinalist, ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week (at Texas A&M)
Clemson has played all 72 players on the travel roster in each of its three ACC road games this season.
- Clemson has now scored 163 points in its last three games, the team’s most points in a three-game span in ACC play since scoring 163 against Duke, Maryland and NC State in 2012.
- Clemson has won its last three games by margins of 60, 34 and 49 points. Clemson has now won three straight games by at least 34 points for only the second time in school history and the first time since the first three games of the 2000 season.
- Clemson has now gained 450 yards of offense in six straight games for the first time since a 12-game streak spanning the final 11 games of 2015 and the opener in 2016.
- Clemson has now passed for 300 yards in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game to conclude the 2016 season and the 2017 season opener against Kent State. Previously, the last time Clemson had thrown for 300 yards in consecutive games in the same season was during a four-game span against NC State, Florida State, Syracuse and Pitt in 2016.
- Clemson held Florida State to -21 rushing yards, breaking the mark for fewest rushing yards allowed by the Tigers in ACC play set at North Carolina on Nov. 4, 1989 (-6). The -21 rushing yards tied for the second-fewest rushing yards allowed in a game in school history, trailing only a rushing performance of -29 yards by Furman on Sept. 7, 1996.
- Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 20-37 passes for a career-high 314 yards and tied his career high with four passing touchdowns.
- With his third touchdown pass of the day, Lawrence recorded his 15th passing touchdown of the season to break Deshaun Watson’s school record for passing touchdowns by a true freshman.
- During the contest, Lawrence also broke Watson's school record for passing yards by a first-year freshman (1,466).
- Clemson earned its fourth victory in games started by Lawrence to tie him with Deshaun Watson's school record for wins as a starting quarterback as a true freshman (four).
- Lawrence has now thrown for 300 yards in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He is the first Clemson quarterback to do it since Watson in 2016, which coincidentally came in games against NC State and Florida State.
- Wide receiver Tee Higgins finished the afternoon with 62 yards on six catches. He pushed his single-season career high in touchdown receptions this year to six.
- The multi-touchdown game was Higgins’ first of the season and second of his career, matching his career high (two) set against The Citadel on Nov. 18, 2017.
- Wide receiver Amari Rodgers totaled 156 yards six carries, surpassing his previous career-high of 73 rushing yards, set against Texas A&M in the second game of the season.
- Higgins and Rodgers both became the first Clemson player to record multiple touchdown receptions in a single game since Hunter Renfrow at South Carolina on Nov. 25, 2017.
- Higgins and Rodgers became the first Clemson duo to both catch two touchdown passes in a single game since Germone Hopper and Mike Williams against North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2014.
- Clemson opened the scoring in the second quarter on a seven-yard pass from Lawrence to Higgins. Clemson improved to 34-0 when scoring first since 2015.
- Higgins has now recorded a touchdown catch in three straight games, becoming the first Clemson player
to accomplish the feat since Mike Williams' four-game streak in the final four regular season contests of 2016.
- Higgins added his second touchdown reception of the game later in the quarter on a three-yard pass by Lawrence.
- Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins recorded the first rushing touchdown of his career on a one-yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter.
- The rushing touchdown is believed to be the first by a Clemson defensive lineman since the advent of the two-platoon system.
- It was Wilkins’ second career offensive touchdown, joining his one-yard touchdown reception against Troy in 2016.
- H-back Garrett Williams also recorded the first rushing touchdown of his career on Clemson’s next possession, scoring on a two-yard run on his first career carry.
- Williams’ first career touchdown came in the stadium in which his father, Dayne, played collegiately for Florida State.
- Rodgers opened the second-half scoring with a 58-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season and his first since scoring Clemson’s first points of the season in the opener against Furman.
- Rodgers added a 68-yard touchdown reception later in the quarter. All of Rodgers’ touchdown receptions this season have covered 40-plus yards.
- Rodgers became the first Clemson player to catch two touchdowns of 50-plus yards in a single game since Artavis Scott against South Carolina in 2014. He joins Scott, Germone Hopper (2014 vs. North Carolina) and Craig Brantley (1974 vs. Virginia) as the only Clemson players to accomplish the feat since 1950 and the first to do so on the road.
- Wide receiver T.J. Chase recorded his first career touchdown reception on a five-yardp pass from Chase Brice in the third quarter.
- On a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, his third of the season, running back Adam Choice reached 1,000 career rushing yards during the contest to give Clemson three active 1,000-yard career rushers on its current roster (Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster). Only Ball State, Georgia Tech, SMU and Syracuse entered the week with three active career 1,000-yard rushers.
- Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow extended his streak of consecutive games played with a reception to 36, tying Jerry Butler for the second-longest streak in school history.
- Renfrow tallied four catches in the game, moving into eighth in program history for career receptions with 163.
- Linebacker Tre Lamar recorded his first career interception, picking off Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois in the second quarter.
- With Lamar’s interception, Clemson forced a takeaway in a 16th consecutive contest, the program's longest streak since an 18-game stretch across the 2004-05 seasons.
- Defensive end Clelin Ferrell recorded a sack in the first quarter to move past Brentson Buckner and Bryant McNeal (22.0 each) for seventh-most career sacks in Clemson history.
- Ferrell recorded the fourth forced fumble of his career on the play.
- Linebacker Isaiah Simmons added his second forced fumble of the season, the third of his career, in the second quarter.
- Defensive tackle Albert Huggins pushed his career sack total to 6.0 with a third-quarter sack of Francois.
- Defensive tackle Jordan Williams recorded the first full sack of his career in the third quarter.
- Defensive end Xavier Thomas notched his third sack of his freshman season in the fourth quarter.
- Defensive tackle Xavier Kelly recorded his first sack of
NOTES
ASSOCIATED PRESS(OCT. 28)
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Record Pts.1 Alabama (60) 8-0 15002 Clemson 8-0 14333 Notre Dame 8-0 13744 LSU 7-1 13175 Michigan 7-1 12406 Georgia 7-1 12027 Oklahoma 7-1 11328 Ohio State 7-1 10229 UCF 7-0 101410 Washington State 7-1 93811 Kentucky 7-1 90512 West Virginia 6-1 89113 Florida 6-2 73414 Penn State 6-2 73315 Texas 6-2 71916 Utah 6-2 59317 Houston 7-1 40318 Utah State 7-1 34019 Iowa 6-2 32320 Fresno State 7-1 26121 Mississippi State 5-3 20422 Syracuse 6-2 19223 Virginia 6-2 17524 Boston College 6-2 16925 Texas A&M 5-3 132
Others receiving votes: Washington 120, Northwestern 86, Georgia Southern 62, Michigan State 51, Cincinnati 45, Iowa State 42, South Florida 29, Stanford 26, Oklahoma State 24, UAB 17, Oregon 13, Wisconsin 12, Auburn 7, San Diego State 6, Army 6, NC State 5, California 2, Buffalo 1
AMWAY USA TODAY COACHES(OCT. 28)
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Record Pts.1 Alabama (62) 8-0 15982 Clemson (2) 8-0 15373 Notre Dame 8-0 14584 LSU 7-1 14035 Michigan 7-1 1295 Georgia 7-1 12957 Oklahoma 7-1 11908 Ohio State 7-1 10969 UCF 7-0 108210 West Virginia 6-1 99211 Washington State 7-1 96212 Kentucky 7-1 93213 Penn State 6-2 79114 Florida 6-2 74315 Texas 6-2 72116 Utah 6-2 62017 Houston 7-1 38018 Iowa 6-2 35619 Washington 6-3 28520 Utah State 7-1 28121 Mississippi State 5-3 22622 Virginia 6-2 20723 Fresno State 7-1 19124 Syracuse 6-2 18325 Boston College 6-2 171
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 167, Cincinnati 116, South Florida 87, Michigan State 48, Wisconsin 41, North-western 40, NC State 40, Miami 38, Georgia Southern 32, Oklahoma State 31, UAB 24, Auburn 21, Stanford 21, Or-egon 20, San Diego State 16, Buffalo 14, Army 13, South Carolina 11, Florida Intl 6, Iowa State 6, Virginia Tech 5, Pittsburgh 3, Duke 3, Boise State 2
the season, the second of his career, during the contest.- Tackle Mitch Hyatt made his 50th career start to
break Landon Walker's school record for career starts by an offensive tackle and the school record for most starts by any offensive lineman (49), shared by Walker and Dalton Freeman.
- Hyatt became the first position player in Clemson history to record 50 career starts. He is now only two starts shy of Clemson's all-time record of 52, set by kicker Chandler Catanzaro.
- Rodgers recorded punt returns of 29 yards and 34 yards in the second quarter, giving him four punt returns of 20 or more yards this season.
- With his third point of the game, kicker Greg Huegel passed Aaron Hunt (329 from 2000-03) for second on the program's all-time career scoring list.
- Kicker B.T. Potter recorded his first career field goal, converting on a 24-yard opportunity in the third quarter.
- Clemson outrushed an opponent for the seventh time in eight games this season. The Tigers have outrushed opponents in 18 of their 22 games since 2017 and are 18-0 when outrushing opponents in that time frame.
- Clemson’s 28 points in the second quarter were the most points in a quarter since Sept. 12, 2015 when the Tigers pinned 28 second-quarter points on Appalachian State.
- After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson held a 28-0 lead at halftime. Clemson has now outscored opponents by 108 points in the second quarter of games this season, its largest point differential in any single quarter this season.
- Clemson is now 92-8 when leading at halftime under Head Coach Dabo Swinney, including a perfect 18-0 mark since 2017.
- Clemson shut out an opponent in the first half for the third straight game and the fifth time this season. Dating back to last year, Clemson has shut out its opponents in the first half of nine of its last 13 games (24-0 vs. Florida State, 24-0 vs. NC State, 28-0 vs. Wake Forest, 21-0 vs. Georgia Southern and 27-0 vs. Furman in 2018; 21-0 vs. Miami, 20-0 vs. South Carolina, 38-0 vs. The Citadel and 17-0 vs. Florida State in 2017).
- Clemson’s captains for the contest were defensive end Austin Bryant, running back Adam Choice, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and tight end Garrett Williams.
WITH THE WIN... - Clemson has now opened a season 8-0 for the
seventh time in program history and the third time in the last four years (1948, 1981, 2000, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018). Clemson earned conference titles in five of the previous six seasons in which it opened 8-0.
- Clemson has now won the first eight games of a season for the fourth time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney (2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018). All other coaches in Clemson history have combined for three 8-0 starts, including one each by Frank Howard, Danny Ford and Tommy Bowden.
- Clemson has now won four consecutive games against Florida State for the first time in series history. Clemson's four-game winning streak against the Seminoles surpassed the Tigers' previous longest in series history, beating a three-game streak from 2005-07.
- Clemson became the first school to defeat Florida State in ACC play in four consecutive years. Miami previously accomplished the feat prior to joining the ACC.
- Clemson earned its 12th all-time victory against Florida State.
- Clemson defeated the Seminoles in Tallahassee for the fifth time in history (1976, 1989, 2006, 2016 and 2018) and has now won back-to-back games in Tallahassee for the first time in series history.
- Clemson bucked a series trend that had seen the home team win 13 of the last 16 games between the two programs prior to Saturday. Of the three previous wins by the visiting teams, two of those squads went on to win the National Championship (Florida State in 2013, Clemson in 2016).
- Head Coach Dabo Swinney pushed his all-time record against Florida State to 6-5.
- Clemson secured its 18th victory in its last 19 true road games.
- Clemson earned its 25th victory in its last 28 games away from home, including neutral site contests.
- Clemson earned its seventh consecutive victory in the state of Florida, dating back to a 40-6 win against Oklahoma in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando. Clemson won in the state of Florida for the first time since winning the national championship in Tampa to conclude the 2016 season.
- Clemson won the 26th of its last 27 games against ACC Atlantic Division opponents.
- Clemson defeated an ACC foe for the 30th time in its last 32 opportunities, including conference championship games, dating back to 2015.
- Clemson has now won 59 of its last 61 when leading at halftime.
- Clemson improved to 80-2 since 2011 when leading after three quarters.
- Clemson recorded a 25-14 advantage in first downs and is now 81-2 when recording more first downs than its opponent since 2011.
- Clemson won the turnover margin, 2-1, and now has a 42-3 mark when winning the turnover margin since 2011.
- Clemson extended its winning streak in Saturday games to 24 to extend the longest Saturday winning streak in school history. The 24-game streak is the longest of any school in the country.
-- BEST IS THE STANDARD --
TIGERS HUNTING FOUR IN A ROWClemson has won three straight ACC championships,
joining Oklahoma as one of just two Power Five Conference schools to have an active streak of three consecutive conference championships.
NOTESPOWER FIVE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS (2015-17)
Conference 2015 2016 2017ACC Clemson Clemson ClemsonB10 Michigan State Penn State Ohio StateB12 Oklahoma Oklahoma OklahomaP12 Stanford Washington Southern California
SEC Alabama Alabama Georgia
This season, Clemson is attempting to become the first ACC school to win four consecutive outright titles. Florida State was a champion or co-champion nine years in a row from 1992-00, but never won more than three outright championships in succession.
Clemson would become the only the second Power Five school since the inception of conference championship games in 1992 to win four straight conference championships, joining the Florida Gators, who won four straight SEC Championship Games from 1993-96.
MOST CONSECUTIVE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME VICTORIES
(POWER FIVE CONFERENCES SINCE 1992)School Conference Streak YearsFlorida SEC 4 1993-96Clemson ACC 3* 2015-17Alabama SEC 3 2014-16Florida State ACC 3 2012-14Oklahoma Big 12 3 2006-08Many schools 2* - active streak
10-WIN SEASONSClemson enters 2018 with a streak of seven consecutive
seasons of 10+ wins, tied for the sixth-longest streak in FBS history.
An eighth consecutive 10-win season in 2018 would tie the Tigers with the 1985-92 Miami Hurricanes and the 2004-11 Virginia Tech Hokies for the fourth-longest streak in FBS history.
Rk School Years Streak1. Florida State 1987-00 142. Alabama 2008-17 *103. Texas 2001-09 94. Miami (Fla.) 1985-92 8 Virginia Tech 2004-11 86. Clemson 2011-17 *7 Southern California 2002-08 7 Boise State 2006-12 7 Oregon 2008-14 7* - active streak
ACTIVE STREAKS OF 10-WIN SEASONSRk School Years Streak1. Alabama 2008-17 102. Clemson 2011-17 73. Ohio State 2012-17 64. Wisconsin 2014-17 45. Oklahoma 2015-17 3 Oklahoma State 2015-17 3 San Diego State 2015-17 3
CHASING 100Head Coach Dabo Swinney can vividly recall the looks
he received when he said Clemson was on the cusp of the winningest decade in program history following a 2010 campaign in which the Tigers finished 6-7. In 2017, that vision became a reality with two seasons to spare when Clemson collected its 88th win of the decade in the ACC Championship Game against Miami to surpass the 1980s Tigers (87) for the most wins in any decade in school history.
With 12 wins in 2018, the Clemson can reach triple digits in wins in a decade for the first time in program history.
Included below are the schools that have accomplished
FIELD LEVELCoach Title(s)Dabo Swinney Head CoachBrent Venables Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, LinebackersJeff Scott Co-Offensive Coordinator, Wide ReceiversTodd Bates Defensive TacklesRobbie Caldwell Offensive LineLemanski Hall Defensive EndsMike Reed CornerbacksBrandon Streeter Recruiting Coordinator, Quarterbacks
COACHES BOOTH
Coach Title(s)Danny Pearman Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Tight EndsTony Elliott Co-Offensive Coordinator, Running BacksMickey Conn Safeties
Clemson’s Record When... 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 TotalsPlaying all games 4-3 9-5 6-7 10-4 11-2 11-2 10-3 14-1 14-1 12-2 8-0 109-30Scoring first 4-2 6-4 5-5 7-3 8-2 10-0 7-2 9-0 9-0 10-0 6-0 81-18Leading at end of first quarter 4-0 5-2 5-3 5-2 6-2 8-0 6-0 9-1 10-0 8-0 6-0 72-10Tied at end of first quarter 0-2 3-0 0-1 2-0 1-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 3-1 2-0 2-0 19-5Trailing at end of first quarter 0-1 1-3 1-3 3-2 4-0 1-1 2-3 3-0 1-0 2-2 0-0 17-15Leading at halftime 4-1 8-1 6-2 5-0 10-2 8-0 8-1 12-0 13-1 11-0 7-0 92-8Tied at halftime 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 5-2Trailing at halftime 0-2 1-4 0-5 2-4 1-0 2-2 1-1 2-0 1-0 1-2 1-0 12-20Leading at end of third quarter 4-1 7-1 5-1 8-0 9-0 10-0 10-0 13-1 12-1 11-0 7-0 96-5Tied at end of third quarter 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 4-3Trailing at end of third quarter 0-2 1-4 1-6 2-4 1-2 1-1 0-2 0-0 2-0 0-1 1-0 9-22Tied at end of fourth quarter 0-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-2Totaling more total yards 4-0 8-0 3-3 10-0 10-0 10-1 9-1 13-1 13-1 10-0 6-0 97-7Totaling more rushing yards 3-0 8-1 4-1 7-1 6-1 8-1 8-1 11-1 9-0 11-0 7-0 82-7Totaling more passing yards 2-2 6-2 4-5 9-2 8-0 10-1 8-2 11-1 13-1 7-1 6-0 84-17Totaling more first downs 2-0 5-1 3-3 9-0 10-0 9-0 10-0 13-1 13-1 10-0 7-0 91-6Winning time of possession 4-1 3-0 4-3 5-0 6-0 2-0 7-1 11-0 10-1 8-0 1-0 61-6Winning turnover margin 3-1 7-0 4-1 5-0 5-1 9-0 3-1 6-0 6-0 5-1 4-0 57-5Tying turnover margin 0-1 2-2 0-3 3-0 3-0 2-0 5-1 2-0 3-0 4-0 1-0 25-7Losing turnover margin 1-1 0-3 2-3 2-4 3-1 0-2 2-1 6-1 5-1 3-1 3-0 27-18Rushing for 200+ yards 0-0 4-1 3-0 4-0 5-0 2-0 4-0 11-0 6-0 6-0 5-0 50-1Having a 100+ yard rusher 0-0 2-2 3-3 4-1 3-0 4-1 4-0 9-0 5-0 2-0 4-0 40-7Passing for 300+ yards 1-0 1-0 0-0 5-2 9-0 9-0 3-1 6-1 8-1 3-0 2-0 47-5Playing August games 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1Playing September games 0-0 2-2 2-1 4-0 4-1 3-0 2-1 3-0 4-0 5-0 5-0 34-5Playing October games 0-1 3-1 2-3 4-1 3-0 3-1 4-0 5-0 4-0 2-1 3-0 33-8Playing November games 4-1 3-1 2-2 1-2 3-1 3-1 3-1 4-0 3-1 4-0 0-0 30-10Playing December games 0-0 1-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 1-0 0-0 9-2Playing January games 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 2-4
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS UNDER DABO SWINNEY
that feat:
100 VICTORIES BY DECADE (DIV. I-A/FBS)Decade Teams1890s Penn (124), Yale (116), Princeton (107), Harvard (103)1900s Yale (100), Penn (100)1910s None1920s None1930s None1940s None1950s None1960s None1970s Alabama (103), Oklahoma (102)1980s Nebraska (103), BYU (102)1990s Florida State (109), Nebraska (108), Florida (102)2000s Boise State (112), Texas (110), Oklahoma (110), Ohio State (102), Florida (100)
2010s Alabama (107)
STREAKS OF EXCELLENCEEntering this week, Clemson has...- Won 51 of its last 55 overall, dating to 2014- Won 30 of its last 32 against ACC teams- Won 59 of its last 61 when leading at halftime- Gone 80-2 since 2011 when leading after three
quarters- Gone 34-0 when scoring first since 2015- Posted an 81-2 record when recording more first
downs than its opponent since 2011- Recorded a 43-3 mark when winning the turnover
margin since 2011- Gone 50-1 when rushing for at least 200 yards under
Dabo Swinney- Posted a perfect 38-0 record when both passing and
rushing for at least 200 yards under Swinney- Registered a 36-2 record when producing a 100-yard
rusher since 2011- Won 17 of 18 away from home vs. ACC teams- Won 18 of last 19 true road games overall- Won 25 of last 28 games away from home - Won 33 of last 34 at home- Won 26 of last 27 vs. ACC Atlantic- Won 18 in a row in September
- Won 19 of 20 in October- Won 8 in a row in December- Won 59 of last 61 vs. unranked teams - Won 17 of last 19 vs. Top 25 teams (ranked in at
least one poll)- Won 28 of last 30 vs. teams that would end their
season in a bowl game- Won 62 straight games when holding teams under 23
points (dates to 2010)
POWER OVER THE POWER FIVEEarly in his head coaching tenure, Dabo Swinney laid
out his belief to then-Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips that the Tigers needed to add tough non-conference challenges on top of their tests in ACC play to serve as a foundation for the program's growth.
"I had a conversation with Terry Don and I was like, ‘Terry Don, I know we are not very good right now, but we need to play people because that is going to help me teach and help me develop the culture and the mindset that you have to have to win at the highest level,’" Swinney recounted prior to the 2018 season. "I didn’t think we had that, and that’s what we committed to. That’s what we’ve done.”
That scheduling philosophy and culture change has resonated in the Clemson program, and since 2013, no team can claim more wins against Power Five opponents than Clemson.
WINS AGAINST POWER FIVE OPPONENTS(SINCE 2013)
Rank School Wins1. Clemson 572. Alabama 553. Ohio State 544. Oklahoma 495. Stanford 466. Florida State 447. Georgia 43 Southern California 439. Wisconsin 42
10. Michigan State 40
WINS AGAINST TOP 25 FINISHERSWhile wins against teams ranked in the Top 25 carry
a lot of weight in the moment, one added layer of quality assurance for victories can be gleaned from viewing teams' records against opponents that actually finished the year in the Top 25. An independent analysis by Saturday Down South revealed that Clemson's 15 victories in the College Football Playoff era against opponents that finished the season in the Top 25 ranks second nationally.
MOST WINS AGAINST TEAMS THAT FINISHED IN THE AP TOP 25 (CFP ERA, 2014-17)
Rank School Record v. T25 FInishers1. Alabama 18-52. Clemson 15-53. Ohio State 14-44. Oklahoma 10-75. Georgia 9-6
Source: Saturday Down South
ALL-TIME ACC LEADERSSince the conference's founding in 1953, no program
has won more regular season games in Atlantic Coast Conference play than Clemson.
MOST CONFERENCE WINS IN ACC PLAY(ALL-TIME, PER ACC RECORDS)
Rank School (Joined) Wins1. Clemson (1953) 2872. North Carolina (1953) 2313. NC State (1953) 2224. Virginia (1954) 1785. Florida State (1992) 1676. Duke (1953) 1557. Georgia Tech (1979) 1458. Wake Forest (1953) 1409. Virginia Tech (2004) 8310. Miami (2004) 6511. Boston College (2005) 5112. Pitt (2013) 2613. Louisville (2014) 2114. Syracuse (2013) 14
SWINNEY FOURTH COACH TO REACH 100 WINS IN FIRST 10 YEARS
When Dabo Swinney and the Tigers defeated South Carolina, 34-10, in the final regular season game of 2017, it gave Swinney 100 wins in his first 10 years as a head coach. Swinney accomplished the feat despite his first season as a head coach being limited to seven games after assuming the Interim Head Coach title six games into the 2008 campaign.
He became just the fourth coach to reach 100 wins in his first 10 years, joining Bob Stoops, Chris Petersen and Urban Meyer.
MOST WINS, FIRST 10 YEARS (ENTERING 2018)
Rk Coach, School Year W-L Pct 1. Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) 1999-08 109-24 .820 2. Chris Petersen (Boise St., Wash.) 2006-15 107-24 .817 3. Urban Meyer (BGSU, Utah, Fla.) 2001-10 104-23 .819 4. Dabo Swinney (Clemson) 2008-17 101-30 .771 5. Paul Johnson (Ga. Southern, Navy) 1997-06 99-35 .739 6. Barry Switzer (Oklahoma) 1973-82 98-17-3 .843 7. Tom Osborne (Nebraska) 1973-82 96-24-2 .795 Mark Richt (Georgia) 2001-10 96-34 .738 9. Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee) 1992-01 95-20 .826
Lloyd Carr (Michigan) 1995-04 95-28 .772
ROCKNE, BRYANT, SWINNEYHead Coach Dabo Swinney placed himself in the
company of two college football legends. Swinney enters Saturday’s game against NC State with an overall record of 107-30 for a .781 winning percentage.
In Clemson's late-September win against Syracuse, Swinney passed the number of total victories earned by Notre Dame's Knute Rockne, the winningest coach by percentage in Division I history. Rockne compiled a 105-12-5 career record from 1918-30 at Notre Dame for a record .881 winning percentage.
Swinney’s current .784 winning percentage is 20th-best in Division I history among coaches with a minimum of 10 years experience. With a win against Wake Forest, Swinney passed Bear Bryant, who had a .780 winning percentage (323-85-17).
-- TALKING 'BOUT THE POLLS --
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Entering 2018, Clemson had equaled or exceeded its postseason AP and USA Today rankings in comparison to its preseason rankings each of the last seven years. That included quite an accomplishment in 2016, as finished No. 1 by winning the national championship to exceed the school's No. 2 preseason ranking. Clemson has exceeded its preseason ranking each of the last seven years in the USA Today coaches poll and has exceeded its preseason ranking in the AP poll six of the seven. Clemson was picked No. 8 in the AP preseason poll in 2013 and finished No. 8. Dabo Swinney is the first head coach in history with a seven-year streak in that area. John Cooper (Ohio State) and Bill Snyder (Kansas State) had five-year streaks.
CLEMSON PRESEASON VS. POSTSEASON POLLS (2011-18)Year AP Pre,Post USA Pre,Post2011 NR,22 NR,222012 14,11 14,92013 8,8 8,72014 16,15 16,152015 12,2 12,22016 2,1 2,12017 5,4 5,42018 2,? 2,?
POLL STREAKS Clemson has been ranked in the top 25 of 62
consecutive AP polls dating to the 2014 season, the third-longest active streak in the nation. That includes a streak of 53 straight top-10 rankings, tied for first in the country with Alabama. As far as total top-25 rankings since 2011, Clemson has appeared in 117 of a possible 124 polls (94.4 percent). That is the third-most in the nation, trailing only Alabama (124) and Oklahoma (120).
WHEN IN DOUBT, CLEMSON RESPONDSIn Head Coach Dabo Swinney's tenure, the Tigers
have routinely responded well following dips in the AP rankings. Clemson dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 in the AP Poll on Sept. 17 despite a 31-point win against Georgia Southern the week before. Clemson responded to that most drop with a 28-point road win at Georgia Tech.
Clemson responded similarly in its most recent such contest at Wake Forest after dropping from No. 3 to No. 4. Under Swinney, Clemson is 21-4 in games in which it enters ranked lower in the AP Poll than it did in its previous contest. This includes the 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 season openers in which Clemson opened the season lower than its ranking from the final game of the previous campaign. Clemson has now won its last 13 games when entering ranked lower in the AP Poll than in its previous game.
-- NOTABLE --
UNBEATENCollege football enters November with only four
unbeaten teams remaining in the FBS, as USF dropped from the ranks of the undefeated with a loss to Houston last week. Clemson stayed undefeated by handing Florida State its worst loss in Tallahassee in Seminole history.
NOTESREMAINING UNDEFEATED TEAMS (FBS)
School Record Next GameClemson 8-0 vs. Louisville (2-6) on 11/3Alabama 8-0 at LSU (7-1) on 11/3Notre Dame 8-0 at Northwestern (5-3) on 11/3UCF 7-0 vs. Temple (5-3) on 11/1
The 2018 season represents the 16th time Clemson has completed the month of October with an undefeated record. Clemson earned conference titles in nine of the previous 15 instances, including national championship campaigns in 1981 and 2016.
Since the advent of the College Football Playoff in 2014, Clemson has routinely produced one of the nation's elite defenses, a trend that has carried into the 2018 season as well.
Clemson has ranked in the Top 10 in the country in total defense in each of the last four seasons and has ranked among the Top 10 in scoring defense in three of those campaigns. Clemson enters this week's game against Louisville ranked in the Top 5 in the country in both total defense (263.9 yards per game, third) and scoring defense (13.0 points per game, tied for first).
AVERAGE YARDAGE DIFFERENTIALClemson has outgained its opponents by an average
of 258.7 yards per game through the first eight games of the season, two yards ahead of top-ranked Alabama for the largest average yardage differential in the country. Clemson is one of only three schools in the country currently outgaining opponents by 200 or more yards per game.
RED HOT OCTOBERIn three games in the month of October, Clemson
outscored its opponents by a total of 163-20. The 143-point scoring differential was Clemson's fourth-largest in a single month in program history. All three months with larger differentials came in months with at least four games.
GREATEST SINGLE-MONTH POINT DIFFERENTIALS (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Clemson's 47.7-point-per-game differential in October ranks sixth in a single month in school history but the highest in any month in which the team played multiple games. The team's average October output trails five Septembers spanning 1915-48 in which the team played only one game.
GREATEST SINGLE-MONTH AVERAGE POINTDIFFERENTIALS (CLEMSON HISTORY)
GROUND AND POUNDA few hours after being called a finesse team by
a national analyst, Clemson rushed for 471 yards in a 63-3 win at Wake Forest on Oct. 6. The rushing total represented the fourth-most yards on the ground in program history and the program's most in a single-game since the team's 1981 national championship season.
Clemson's explosiveness and consistency in the running game has put the 2018 Tigers on pace to break the team record for yards-per-carry average.
YARDS PER CARRY (CLEMSON HISTORY)Rank Year No.1. 2018 6.182. 2006 5.723. 1950 5.254. 1941 5.075. 2015 4.93
Clemson enters this week having outrushed opponents by an average of 145.4 yards per game this season, the fourth-best differential in the country and the second-best in the Power Five. Clemson is the only non-triple-option team in the Top 5 in the category. Georgia Tech leads the nation in rushing differential per game; however, Clemson outrushed Georgia Tech by 102 yards in a 49-21 win on Sept. 22.
RUSHING YARDS PER GAME DIFFERENTIAL(FBS, 2018)
School G Rush Yds. For Rush Yds. All. Diff./G1. Georgia Tech 8 2932 1078 +231.82. Army 8 2517 775 +217.83. Air Force 8 2044 867 +147.14. Clemson 8 1896 733 +145.45. Navy 8 2463 1416 +130.9
Clemson's rushing prowess this season has not come at the expense of the team's passing game. With 1,896 rushing yards and 2,285 passing yards, Clemson is one of only eight FBS teams with at least 1,850 rushing yards and 1,850 passing yards this season. Clemson and Oklahoma are the only Power Five squads included among that group.
1,850+ RUSHING YARDS AND 1,850+ PASSING YARDS (FBS, 2018)
CLOSE GAME SUCCESSClemson's stretch of consecutive 10-win seasons
dating back to 2011 has been bolstered significantly by the team's success in close games in that span. The Tigers have played 28 games with a final margin of eight points or less, and Clemson's 85.7 winning percentage in those one-possession contests is the best in the country in that span among teams with at least 10 such games.
WINNING PERCENTAGE IN GAMES DECIDED BY EIGHT OR FEWER POINTS (SINCE 2011)
Rk School W L G Pct. 1. Clemson 24 4 28 85.7% 2. Ohio State 22 9 31 71.0% 3. Northern Illinois 30 14 44 68.2% 4. San Diego State 23 11 34 67.7% 5. Michigan State 25 13 38 65.8% 6. Middle Tennessee State 23 12 35 65.7% 7. Florida State 21 11 32 65.6% 8. Louisiana 21 12 33 63.6%
West Virginia 21 12 33 63.6% 10. South Florida 22 13 35 62.9%
CLEMSON IN GAMES DECIDED BY EIGHT OR FEWER POINTS (SINCE 2011)
Date Opponent Site W/L CU-Opp.9/10/11 Wofford H W 35-279/24/11 Florida State H W 35-3011/12/11 Wake Forest H W 31-289/1/12 Auburn N W 26-1912/31/12 LSU N W 25-248/31/13 Georgia H W 38-351/3/14 Ohio State N W 40-359/20/14 Florida State A L 17-2310/11/14 Louisville H W 23-1710/18/14 Boston College A W 17-139/17/15 Louisville A W 20-1710/3/15 Notre Dame H W 24-2211/28/15 South Carolina A W 37-3212/5/15 North Carolina N W 45-371/11/16 Alabama N L 40-459/3/16 Auburn A W 19-139/10/16 Troy H W 30-2410/1/16 Louisville H W 42-3610/15/16 North Carolina State H W 24-1710/29/16 Florida State A W 37-3411/12/16 Pitt H L 42-4312/3/16 Virginia Tech N W 42-351/9/17 Alabama N W 35-319/9/17 Auburn H W 14-610/13/17 Syracuse A L 24-2711/4/17 North Carolina State A W 38-319/8/18 Texas A&M A W 28-269/29/18 Syracuse H W 27-23
Though Clemson has two one-possession victories so far in 2018, on the flip side, the Tigers also accounted for the largest margin of victory of any conference game in the FBS this season with a 63-3 win against Wake Forest. They also tied for the third-largest margin of victory in handing Florida State its worst home loss in program history in a 59-10 rout.
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY IN CONFERENCE PLAY (FBS, 2018)
Rk School Opponent Score Margin 1. Clemson at Wake Forest 63-3 +60 2. Alabama at Ole Miss 62-7 +55 3. Clemson at Florida State 59-10 +49 Ohio State vs. Rutgers 52-3 +49 5. Michigan vs. Nebraska 56-10 +46
STRONG CONFERENCE PERFORMANCESSince Clemson's dramatic last-minute win against
Syracuse, the Tigers have won ACC games against Wake Forest, NC State and Florida State by margins of 60, 34 and 49 points. Clemson is one of only two schools this season that can boast three 30-point conference wins.
30-POINT CONFERENCE WINS (FBS, 2018)Rank School 30-Point Conf. Wins1. Clemson 3 Alabama 33. Fresno State 2 Ohio 2 Oklahoma 2 Utah 2 Utah State 2
POINT DIFFERENTIAL IN CONFERENCE PLAY(FBS, 2018)
Rk School Pts. For Pts. All. Diff. 1. Alabama 269 92 +177 2. Clemson 239 64 +175 3. UAB 146 35 +111 4. Michigan 177 68 +109
5. Fresno State 136 33 +103
ROUTING A RANKED OPPONENTClemson's 41-7 thrashing of No. 16 NC State in
NOTESOctober tied for the second-largest margin of victory against an AP Top 25 team in school history, trailing only the school's 35-point victory against Miami in the 2017 ACC Championship.
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY AGAINST AP TOP 25 OPPONENTS (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Date Rank^ Opponent Site CU-Opp Margin12/2/2017 1/2 Miami (FL) N 38-3 +3510/20/2018 3/16 NC State H 41-7 +349/30/1950 -/17 Missouri A 34-0 +3411/7/1992 -/18 North Carolina A 40-7 +3311/3/1979 -/14 Wake Forest A 31-0 +311/1/1991 14/16 Illinois A 30-0 +3011/12/1983 17/11 Maryland A 52-27 +251/1/1988 14/20 Penn State A 35-10 +2511/22/1980 -/14 South Carolina A 27-6 +2110/21/1989 -/12 NC State A 30-10 +20
12/30/1989 14/17 West Virginia A 27-7 +20
^AP Rank (CU/Opp)
EXPLOSIVE PLAYS"The explosive play is alive and well in our offense."That was the exact quote from Head Coach Dabo
Swinney following a Sept. 15 victory against Georgia Southern. Improving the team's explosiveness and ability to create chunk plays had been a primary focus for the offense leading up to the 2018 season, and that focus has paid off thus far this season.
Of Clemson's 22 plays of 40 yards or more this season, the Tigers have accounted for 15 through the air and seven on the ground. Clemson has 15 plays of 50 yards or more, with a split of nine passing and six rushing.
Clemson's 15 plays of 50 yards or more through eight games this season have already surpassed the team's total of 12 through 14 games a year ago. Clemson's nine 50-plus-yard passing plays this year have also passed its six such plays from a season ago.
Clemson's explosiveness has helped put the 2018 squad in the Top 10 in the nation in yards per play and on pace for a school record in that category.
YARDS PER PLAY (FBS, 2018)Rk School Plays Yards Yds/Play 1. Oklahoma 492 4386 8.91 2. Alabama 544 4514 8.30 3. Mississippi 561 4303 7.67 3. Memphis 545 4181 7.67 5. Houston 615 4569 7.43 6. West Virginia 459 3354 7.31 7. Clemson 581 4181 7.20 8. Georgia 518 3662 7.07 9. Louisiana 532 3726 7.00 10. Ohio 537 3749 6.98
YARDS PER PLAY (CLEMSON HISTORY)Rank Year No.1. 2018 7.202. 2006 6.503. 2015 6.394. 2013 6.365. 2012 6.28
YOUTH MOVEMENTClemson returned a school-record 61 letterman for the
2018 season, making this year's roster the most veteran team in Tiger annals by that measure. However, that
experience has not prohibited the team's talented class of true freshmen from making an immediate impact this season.
Thirteen true freshmen (Xavier Thomas, Justyn Ross, Derion Kendrick, K.J. Henry, Trevor Lawrence, Kyler McMichael, Lyn-J Dixon, B.T. Potter, Mario Goodrich, Jordan McFadden, Jackson Carman, Max May and Braden Galloway) appeared in Clemson's season opener against Furman, matching the team’s most in a single game in school history set previously against Wofford in the 2015.
A 14th true freshman, quarterback Ben Batson, made his debut at Wake Forest. Mike Jones, Justin Mascoll, Drew Swinney and Jake Venables pushed that number to 18 by making their collegiate debuts against NC State. Clemson's 18 true freshmen to appear in game action this season are the most in a year since 1982.
TRUE FRESHMEN TO APPEAR IN A SEASON (CLEMSON SINCE 1982)
Clemson played 41 underclassmen (freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores) in the team's first three games, the fourth-most in the country according to a nationwide survey from Sept. 21.
MOST UNDERCLASSMEN TO PLAY THIS SEASON (THROUGH SEPT. 21)
SATURDAYS ARE FOR THE TIGERSClemson enters Saturday's contest against Louisville
having won each of its last 24 Saturday games. Clemson went 12-2 during the 2017 campaign, with its only losses coming on a Friday at Syracuse and a Monday on New Year's Day in the Sugar Bowl.
You have to travel back to Nov. 12, 2016, a total of 721 days prior to this week's contest against Louisville, for Clemson's most recent loss on a Saturday.
Clemson's 24-game Saturday winning streak is the longest active streak in the FBS. In total, Clemson has won 45 of its last 46 Saturday games. The Tigers' current 24-game streak started following a 2016 loss to Pitt that was preceded by a 21-game Saturday winning streak across the 2014-16 seasons, previously the longest such streak in program history.
CONSECUTIVE SATURDAY WINS(CLEMSON HISTORY)
Rank School Streak Seasons1. Clemson Won 24 2016-Pres.2. Clemson Won 21 2014-163. Clemson Won 13 1947-494. Clemson Won 12 1980-81
5. Clemson Won 11 1950-51
STINGY STARTSClemson has surrendered only two first-half touchdowns
in 2018 and has held opponents out of the end zone in the first half of nine of its last 13 games, dating back to
2017.
FIRST HALF TOUCHDOWNS ALLOWED(SINCE 2017)
Date Opponent Site TD* Halftime Score^9/2/17 Kent State H 0 28-39/9/17 Auburn H 0 7-69/16/17 Louisville A 1 19-79/23/17 Boston College H 0 7-09/30/17 Virginia Tech A 0 14-310/7/17 Wake Forest H 0 14-010/13/17 Syracuse A 2 14-1710/28/17 Georgia Tech H 0 21-311/4/17 NC State A 3 17-2111/11/17 Florida State H 0 17-011/18/17 The Citadel H 0 38-011/25/17 South Carolina A 0 20-012/2/17 Miami (Fla.) N 0 21-01/1/18 Alabama N 1 3-109/1/18 Furman H 0 27-09/8/18 Texas A&M A 0 14-39/15/18 Georgia Southern H 0 21-09/22/18 Georgia Tech A 1 28-79/29/18 Syracuse H 1 7-1610/6/18 Wake Forest A 0 28-010/20/18 NC State H 0 24-010/27/18 Florida State A 0 28-0* First-half touchdowns allowed^ CU-Opp
Entering this week's game against Louisville, Clemson has shut out an opponent in the first half in three straight games and a total of five times this season.
Clemson's defensive efforts in the first half have been particularly pronounced at home. Until Syracuse rushed for a one-yard touchdown with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter on Sept. 29, Clemson had not allowed a first-half touchdown at Memorial Stadium since Nov. 12, 2016 vs. Pittsburgh. That marked 686 days between first-half touchdowns allowed at Death Valley, covering 309:52 of game play.
-- ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT --
The roster from the first day of Clemson's 2018 preseason camp featured 17 players that had already earned their degrees from Clemson University. The figure more than doubled the previous high under Head Coach Dabo Swinney, who previously had eight graduates on his rosters on multiple occasions.
The graduates on Clemson's 2018 camp roster included Kelly Bryant, Adam Choice, Kyle Cote, J.D. Davis, Judah Davis, Justin Falcinelli, Pat Godfrey, Kendall Joseph, Chris Register, Hunter Renfrow, Milan Richard, Chad Smith, Alex Spence, Trevion Thompson, Christian Wilkins, Jalen Williams and Richard Yeargin.
Clemson's 17 graduates were among the most on any FBS roster as of Sept. 4.
MOST GRADUATES ON 2018 ROSTER (FBS, UPDATED SEPT. 4)
Rank School Graduates on 2018 Roster1. UAB 192. Clemson 173. Pittsburgh 164. Arizona State 155. Three schools tied 14
Over the last seven years Clemson has finished in the top 10 percent in APR scores among FBS teams and in the top 25 of the final polls six times.
That includes the 2017-18 academic year when Clemson finished fourth on the field in the polls and fifth in APR score with a 987. It was the first time a College Football Playoff team has finished in the top five of the APR.
Last year marked the third time in the last six years
NOTESthat Clemson finished in the top 10 of APR and the top 10 on the field in at least one of the polls.
TOP 10 IN APR AND FINAL POLLSYear School APR AP-USA2011-12 Boise State 2nd (989) 8-52012-13 Clemson 4th (985) 11-9 Ohio State 7th (982) 3-NR2013-14 Clemson 7th (983) 8-7 Missouri 10th (980) 5-5 Stanford 6th (984) 11-102015-16 Michigan 3rd (993) 10-10 Wisconsin 8th (990) 9-92016-17 Clemson 5th (987) 4-4
Wisconsin 7th (986) 7-6
-- OFFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT --
#WRUClemson's status as an elite producer of pro talent
has been inarguable in recent years, particularly at wide receiver, where the school has adopted the moniker of "Wide Receiver U" (or #WRU in hashtag form).
An independent analysis by TigerIllustrated.com in August highlighted Clemson's seven wide receivers drafted from 2013-18, the most from any school. It provides a legacy and a foundation upon which Clemson's talented 2018 receiving corps — one co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said contains nine plausible starters — to build.
"Get your cameras ready for this year and beyond. Because there's a good chance more history will be made," wrote TigerIllustrated's Larry Williams. "The headlines and cover stories now are about the defensive line. But celebrity status is fast approaching for these receivers."
MOST WIDE RECEIVERS DRAFTED(2013-18 NFL DRAFTS)
Rank School WRs Drafted1. Clemson 72. LSU 6 Ohio State 64. Georgia 5 Oklahoma 5 Michigan 5 Texas A&M 5
West Virginia 5
#9 TRAVIS ETIENNE, RBAs a freshman, when you evoke the names of Clemson
legends C.J. Spiller and Sammy Watkins, you're doing something right. Travis Etienne did just that in his true freshman season in 2017.
In his debut year, Etienne averaged 7.16 yards per carry on 107 attempts, the fourth-best rushing average in school history and the most by a Clemson freshman since C.J. Spiller in 2006.
YARDS PER CARRY (SINGLE-SEASON) Rk Player Year Car-Yards Y/C 1. Billy Hair 1950 71-525 7.39 2. C.J. Spiller 2006 129-938 7.27 3. Andre Ellington 2009 68-491 7.22 4. Travis Etienne 2017 107-766 7.16 5. Ronald Williams 1991 82-585 7.13
The 2018 Maxwell and Doak Walker Award watch list selection also tied a school record for total touchdowns by a freshman, matching Sammy Watkins' mark of 13 set in 2011.
Etienne's efficiency has carried into his sophomore season in 2018. He enters this week ranked fifth in the country — and second in the Power Five — in yards-per-carry average among players with at least 50 carries this season. (Note: freshman teammate Lyn-J Dixon ranks fourth in the FBS with 9.22 yards per carry when lowering
the qualification threshold to 30 carries.)
YARDS PER CARRY (FBS, 2018, MIN. 50 ATT.) Rk Player School Car. Yards Y/C 1. Darrell Henderson Memphis 114 1148 10.07 2. Johnny Ford S Florida 54 462 8.56 3. Corey Dauphine Tulane 64 521 8.14 4. Reggie Corbin Illinois 92 739 8.03
5. Travis Etienne Clemson 108 845 7.82
In the third game of the 2018 season against Georgia Southern, Etienne reached the 1,000-yard mark for his career on a 40-yard touchdown run. In reaching the 1,000-yard mark, he qualified for the school's all-time leaderboard for yards per carry. If he were to maintain his current 7.49-yard average, he would shatter the school's record for career rushing average of 5.92, set by Jackie Calvert from 1948-50. Sitting behind Etienne at third is his current backfield colleague, Tavien Feaster, who reached the 1,000-yard mark in the fourth game of 2018.
Running back Adam Choice joined Etienne and Feaster in the career 1,000-yard club in the eighth game of the season against Florida State. Clemson is one of five schools to feature three active players with at least 1,000 career rushing yards.
FBS SCHOOLS WITH THREE ACTIVE 1,000-YARD CAREER RUSHERS
Etienne rushed for at least one touchdown in each of Clemson's first seven games, the longest stretch of his career. His seven-game streak tied for the fifth-longest in program history.
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A RUSHING TOUCHDOWN (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Rk Player Season(s) Games 1. Lester Brown 1978 9 Terry Allen 1988-89* 9 James Davis 2005-06 9 4. Wayne Gallman 2016 8 5. Kenny Flowers 1985 7 Travis Etienne 2018 7
7. Woodrow Dantzler 2000 6
*Excludes 1989 season opener in which he did not play
Etienne's nose for the end zone reached historic levels against Syracuse, Wake Forest and NC State, as he became the first player in Clemson history to record three rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games, becoming only the fourth ACC player to accomplish the
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS (CAREER) Rk Player Years Car. Yards TD 1. James Davis 2005-08 753 3881 47 2. Travis Zachery 1998-01 691 3058 41 3. Wayne Gallman 2014-16 676 3429 34 4. Andre Ellington 2009-12 621 3436 33 5. C.J. Spiller 2006-09 606 3547 32 6. Lester Brown 1976-79 505 2228 31 7. Fred Cone 1948-50 466 2172 30 8. Terry Allen 1987-89 523 2778 28 9. Cliff Austin 1978-82 423 2139 27 Woodrow Dantzler 1998-01 591 2761 27 Travis Etienne 2017-18 205 1566 27
NOTESfeat since 2000. He enters the game against Louisville with 15 total touchdowns (14 rushing, one receiving) through eight games, and his 11.3 points per game rank tied for third in the country but tied for first among non-kickers.
POINTS PER GAME (FBS, 2018) Rk Player School Pts. G Pts./G 1. Andre Szmyt, K Syracuse 103 8 12.9 2. Dominik Eberle, K Utah State 92 8 11.5 3. Travis Etienne, RB Clemson 90 8 11.3 Devin Singletary, RB FAU 90 8 11.3 Darrell Henderson, RB Memphis 90 8 11.3 6. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Colorado 66 6 11.0 7. Cole Tracy, K LSU 87 8 10.9 8. Austin Seibert, K Oklahoma 78 8 9.8 9. Tucker McCann, K Missouri 75 8 9.4
Rodrigo Blankenship, K Georgia 75 8 9.4
Despite averaging fewer than 14 carries per game through the team's first eight contests, Etienne (845) enters this week 155 yards from reaching 1,000 rushing yards on the season. If he were to reach the mark this week, it would tie the mark for the fastest any Clemson player has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season and represent only the second time a Clemson player had accomplished the feat in single-digit games.
TEN OR FEWER GAMES NEEDED TO REACH 1,000 RUSHING YARDS (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Rk Player Season(s) Rush Yds.* Games 1. Terrence Flagler 1986 1258 9 2. Wayne Gallman 2015 1527 10 James Davis 2006 1187 10 Raymond Priester 1996 1345 10 Raymond Priester 1995 1322 10 Terry Allen 1988 1192 10 Cliff Austin 1982 1064 10 Buddy Gore 1967 1045 10* Season rushing total
Etienne turned in a career day in Clemson's thrilling 27-23 come-from-behind win against Syracuse at the end of September. He set new bests in rushing attempts (27), rushing yards (203) and rushing touchdowns (three) while completing only the 16th 200-yard rushing performance in Clemson history.
200-YARD RUSHING GAMES (CLEMSON HISTORY, CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)
Date Player Opponent Site Att. Yds9/20/52 Buck George Presbyterian H 15 20411/8/52 Don King Fordham A 33 23411/16/68 Ray Yauger North Carolina H 35 20110/18/69 Ray Yauger Wake Forest H 36 20210/16/82 Cliff Austin Duke H 27 26010/11/86 Terrence Flagler Virginia A 30 21011/1/86 Terrence Flagler Wake Forest A 22 2099/12/87 Wesley McFadden Virginia Tech A 32 22611/11/95 Raymond Priester Duke H 32 26310/25/97 Raymond Priester Maryland A 36 2049/23/00 Woodrow Dantzler Virginia A 18 22010/21/06 James Davis Georgia Tech H 21 21612/5/09 C.J. Spiller Georgia Tech N 20 23310/15/11 Andre Ellington Maryland A 24 2129/1/12 Andre Ellington Auburn N 25 2289/29/18 Travis Etienne Syracuse H 27 203
#13 HUNTER RENFROW, WRWhile one specific catch made by Hunter Renfrow
during 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game will live in Clemson lore forever, few in the history of Clemson Football have hauled in receptions with as much regularity as Renfrow.
Renfrow has recorded at least one reception in the last 36 consecutive games in which he appeared. (Note: Renfrow missed four games in 2016 with a hand injury).
Artavis Scott currently holds the school record for
consecutive games with a completion (38 from 2014-16). The record was previously held by Clemson legend Jerry Butler (36, 1975-78), whom Renfrow can pass for sole possession of second place with another reception this week.
RENFROW'S CATCH STREAK BY GAMEDate Opponent Rec. Yds. TD12/5/15 North Carolina 3 22 012/31/15 Oklahoma 4 59 11/11/16 Alabama 7 88 29/3/16 at Auburn 3 27 19/10/16 Troy 1 35 110/15/16 NC State 6 53 010/29/16 at Florida State 5 62 111/5/16 Syracuse 2 17 011/12/16 Pittsburgh 7 77 011/19/16 at Wake Forest 2 26 011/26/16 South Carolina 1 10 012/3/16 Virginia Tech 2 46 112/31/16 Ohio State 5 50 01/9/17 Alabama 10 92 29/2/17 Kent State 2 16 09/9/17 Auburn 9 62 09/16/17 at Louisville 4 71 09/23/17 Boston College 6 53 09/30/17 at Virginia Tech 2 19 010/7/17 Wake Forest 6 61 010/13/17 at Syracuse 5 64 010/28/17 Georgia Tech 1 11 011/4/17 at NC State 4 33 011/11/17 Florida State 4 35 011/18/17 The Citadel 3 26 111/25/17 at South Carolina 4 75 212/2/17 Miami (Fla.) 5 45 01/1/18 Alabama 5 31 09/1/18 Furman 3 24 09/8/18 at Texas A&M 4 59 09/15/18 Georgia Southern 2 44 09/22/18 at Georgia Tech 3 28 19/29/18 Syracuse 3 45 010/6/18 at Wake Forest 2 21 010/20/18 vs. NC State 5 41 010/27/18 at Florida State 4 28 0Note: DNP vs. SC State (9/17/16), at Georgia Tech (9/22/16), vs. Louisville (10/1/16) and at Boston College (10/7/16)
Against Syracuse, Renfrow became only the 10th player in school history to record 150 career receptions. During the contest, he also surpassed Perry Tuttle for ninth on the team's career receptions list. Tuttle and Renfrow will always be linked in Clemson lore as the recipients of game-winning touchdown passes to secure the program's national championships in 1981 and 2016, respectively.
#16 TREVOR LAWRENCE, QBBetween the explosive debuts of C.J. Spiller, Sammy
Watkins and Deshaun Watson, Clemson has had no shortage of superlative freshmen in the last dozen years. Seven games into 2018, true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence is making his case to be considered among that illustrious group.
Lawrence is only the second true freshman and fourth freshman overall in Clemson history to record double-digit touchdown passes.
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS AS A TRUE FRESHMAN (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Rk Player Season TD1. Trevor Lawrence 2018 162. Deshaun Watson 2014 14
3. Willie Jordan 1975 5
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS BY ALL FRESHMEN (CLEMSON HISTORY)
Rk Player Season TD1. Kyle Parker 2009 202. Trevor Lawrence 2018 163. Deshaun Watson 2014 144. Charlie Whitehurst 2002 10
Lawrence leads the nation in passing touchdowns among freshmen despite not starting any of the Tigers' first four contests and not finishing the Tigers' four most recent contests.
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS BY FRESHMEN (FBS, 2018)
Rk Player School TD 1. Trevor Lawrence Clemson 16 2. Alan Bowman Texas Tech 15 3. Sam Hartman Wake Forest 14 4. Desmond Ridder Cincinnati 12 5. N'Kosi Perry Miami (Fla.) 11
Adrian Martinez Nebraska 11
Lawrence made his first career start against Syracuse, becoming only the sixth true freshman to start at quarterback for Clemson all-time, joining Steve Fuller (1975), Willie Jordan (1975), Patrick Sapp (1992), Nealon Greene (1994) and Deshaun Watson (2014). He earned his fourth win as a starter against Florida State, tying Watson's school record for most wins as a true freshman starting quarterback.
#75 MITCH HYATT, OTWhile the return of the members of Clemson's
ballyhooed defensive line generated a majority of the team's offseason headlines, Clemson's offensive line returned its own first-team All-American in left tackle Mitch Hyatt. In July, Hyatt was the leading vote-getter in the preseason All-ACC selection process, appearing on a conference-high 130 of 148 possible ballots, 28 more votes than ACC Preseason Player of the Year AJ Dillon.
Hyatt, a three-year letterman out of Suwanee, Ga., entered the 2018 campaign with 43 games, 42 starts and 2,885 snaps to his credit, helping Clemson to an ACC title and College Football Playoff berth in each of his first three seasons.
CAREER SNAPSRk Player, Pos. Years Snaps 1. Dalton Freeman, C 2009-12 3361 2. Mitch Hyatt, OT 2015-17 3343 3. Landon Walker, OT 2008-11 3131 4. Kyle Young, C 1998-01 3097 5. Glenn Rountree, OG 1994-97 3048Note: Does not include special-teams snaps.
CAREER STARTS Rk Player, Pos. Years Starts 1. Chandler Catanzaro, PK 2010-13 52 2. Mitch Hyatt, OT 2015-18 50 3. Landon Walker, OT 2008-11 49 Dalton Freeman, C 2009-12 49 5. Eric Harmon, OG 1987-90 47 Jim Bundren, OT 1994-97 47 Glenn Rountree, OG 1994-97 47 Aaron Hunt, PK 2000-03 47 9. Nelson Welch, PK 1991-94 46 Cole Chason, P 2003-06 46
GO GO POWER RANGERS:#7 AUSTIN BRYANT, #42 CHRISTIAN WILKINS, #90 DEXTER LAWRENCE AND #99 CLELIN FERRELL
Neither short on personality nor on production, Clemson returns all four starters on its defensive line in 2018. The group, known affectionately as the Power Rangers following the unit's Halloween costumes of choice in 2016, includes ends Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell and tackles Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins.
The group's return alone made college football history. Clemson's 2018 squad will be the first in the sport's history to feature four returning All-Americans on the defensive line.
CAREER ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS (ACTIVE CLEMSON DL)
Player Outlet Year TeamAustin Bryant FWAA 2017 1st Walter Camp 2017 2nd AP 2017 3rdClelin Ferrell AP 2017 1st FWAA 2017 2nd Sporting News 2017 2nd College Football News 2017 2nd CBS Sports 2017 2nd Sports Illustrated 2017 2nd USA Today 2017 2ndDexter Lawrence Rivals 2017 2ndChristian Wilkins AFCA 2017 1st Sporting News 2017 1st College Football News 2017 1st Rivals 2017 1st AP 2017 2nd Walter Camp 2017 2nd AFCA 2016 1st FWAA 2016 1st USA Today 2016 1st Walter Camp 2016 2nd Sporting News 2016 2nd AP 2016 3rd
Ferrell recorded a sack in the team's opener against Furman and two sacks each in wins against Texas A&M and Georgia Southern, becoming the first Clemson player since Vic Beasley in 2014 to reach 2.0 sacks in consecutive games. His production has added to one of the most prolific career pass rushing totals in college football, as he now ranks fifth among active FBS players in career sacks and is climbing Clemson's all-time leaderboard in that category.
CAREER SACKS (ACTIVE FBS PLAYERS)Rk Player (Class) School Sacks 1. Jaylon Ferguson (Sr.) Louisiana Tech 38.0 2. Oshane Ximines (Sr.) Old Dominion 29.5 3. Josh Allen (Jr.) Kentucky 24.5 4. Brian Burns (Jr.) Florida St. 23.0 5. Clelin Ferrell (Jr.) Clemson 22.5
CAREER SACKS (CLEMSON HISTORY) Rk Player, Pos. Years Sacks 1. Vic Beasley, DE 2011-14 33.0 2. Michael Dean Perry, DT 1984-87 28.0 Gaines Adams, DE 2003-06 28.0 4. William Perry, MG 1981-84 27.0 5. Adrian Dingle, DE 1995-98 23.0 Keith Adams, LB 1998-00 23.0 7. Clelin Ferrell, DE 2016-18 22.5 8. Brentson Buckner, DT 1990-93 22.0 Bryant McNeal, DE 1999-02 22.0 10. Chester McGlockton, DT 1989-91 20.5
Bryant, Ferrell and Wilkins have all reached double-digits in career sacks. Clemson is one of only five schools in the country that can boast three active players with 10
or more career sacks. Lawrence (9.5) can join the group with his next half-sack. Ferrell and Bryant are one of only three single-school duos in the country with 15-plus career sacks each.
The unit, along with the team's deep corps of linebackers and aggressive defensive backs, has once again propelled Clemson among the national leaders in tackles for loss. Clemson has finished in the Top 10 in the FBS in tackles for loss every year since 2013, including No. 1 rankings in four straight years from 2013-16 and a No. 6 finish in 2017.
TACKLES FOR LOSS PER GAME (FBS, 2018)Rank School TFL G TFL/G1. Miami (FL) (ACC) 89 8 11.12. East Carolina (AAC) 71 7 10.13. Clemson (ACC) 80 8 10.04. West Virginia (Big 12) 65 7 9.35. UCF (AAC) 62 7 8.96. Iowa St. (Big 12) 58 7 8.37. Auburn (SEC) 66 8 8.38. Penn St. (Big Ten) 65 8 8.1 South Fla. (AAC) 65 8 8.1 Utah St. (MWC) 65 8 8.1 UAB (C-USA) 65 8 8.1
-- SPECIAL TEAMS SPOTLIGHT --
#92 GREG HUEGEL, KAll three phrases of the game — offense, defense and
special teams — are represented by former All-Americans on Clemson's roster. Among the specialists, kicker Greg Huegel returns after an injury-truncated 2017 season hoping to reclaim that form that earned him second-team All-America status from Sports Illustrated in 2015.
The 2016 All-ACC selection already ranks in the Top 10 in school history in scoring, field goals made and extra points made. In the team's Sept. 8 road win at Texas A&M, he became only the third player in Clemson history to record 150 career PATs.
FIELD GOALS MADE Rk Player Years FG 1. Nelson Welch 1991-94 72 2. Chandler Catanzaro 2010-13 67 3. Obed Ariri 1977-80 63 Chris Gardocki 1988-90 63 5. Aaron Hunt 2000-03 55 6. Jad Dean 2003-06 51 7. Greg Huegel 2015-18 50
8. David Treadwell 1985-87 47 9. Mark Buchholz 2007,08 37 10. Bob Paulling 1979-83 34
EXTRA POINTS MADE Rk Player Years PAT 1. Chandler Catanzaro 2010-13 203 2. Greg Huegel 2015-18 180 3. Aaron Hunt 2000-03 164 4. Bob Paulling 1979-83 107 5. Obed Ariri 1977-80 99
-- CLEMSON IN THE NFL --
As of Oct. 28, 37 players from Clemson were under NFL contracts, including players on active rosters, reserve lists or practice squads:
FORMER CLEMSON PLAYERS IN THE NFL(AS OF OCT. 28)
Player Pos. NFL TeamMackensie Alexander CB Minnesota Vikings Dwayne Allen TE New England Patriots Stephone Anthony LB Miami Dolphins Vic Beasley Jr. LB Atlanta Falcons Andre Branch DE Miami Dolphins Bashaud Breeland CB Green Bay Packers Jaron Brown WR Seattle Seahawks Martavis Bryant WR Oakland Raiders Deon Cain WR Indianapolis Colts Chandler Catanzaro K Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wayne Gallman Jr. RB New York Giants Marcus Gilchrist S Oakland Raiders B.J. Goodson LB New York Giants T.J. Green S Seattle Seahawks Taylor Hearn G Carolina Panthers DeAndre Hopkins WR Houston Texans Adam Humphries WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers Grady Jarrett DT Atlanta Falcons Jarvis Jenkins DE Kansas City Chiefs Jayron Kearse S Minnesota Vikings Shaq Lawson DE Buffalo Bills Jordan Leggett TE New York Jets Ray-Ray McCloud III WR Buffalo Bills Dorian O'Daniel LB Kansas City Chiefs Charone Peake WR New York Jets Bradley Pinion P San Francisco 49ers D.J. Reader NT Houston Texans Artavis Scott WR Los Angeles Chargers Coty Sensabaugh CB Pittsburgh Steelers Tyler Shatley G Jacksonville Jaguars Cordrea Tankersley CB Miami Dolphins Brandon Thomas G Jacksonville Jaguars Carlos Watkins DE Houston Texans Sammy Watkins WR Kansas City Chiefs Deshaun Watson QB Houston Texans DeShawn Williams DE Miami Dolphins
Mike Williams WR Los Angeles Chargers
-- RELATIVELY SPEAKING --
Clemson’s 2018 roster has many connections to college and professional football. Below is a list of the connections:
- Tremayne Anchrum, OL: His father, Tremayne, played college basketball at Southern California.
- Ben Batson, QB: Son of Clemson strength and conditioning coach Joey Batson.
- J.C. Chalk, TE: Grandson of former Alabama coach Gene Stallings, who was Dabo Swinney’s head coach at Alabama when Swinney was a player.
- Adam Choice, RB: Cousin of former Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice.
- J.D. Davis, LB: Twin brother of Clemson linebacker Judah Davis and son of former Clemson All-American linebacker Jeff Davis.
- Judah Davis, LB: Twin brother of Clemson linebacker J.D. Davis and son of former Clemson All-American linebacker Jeff Davis.
NOTES- Carson Donnelly, DB: Father, Chris, played at Alabama
with Dabo Swinney.- Justin Falcinelli, C: Father, David, played football for
one season at Notre Dame.- Mark Fields, CB: Father, Mark Fields, played for the
Carolina Panthers.- Brian Dawkins, Jr., CB: Son of former Clemson
All-American and nine-time NFL Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
- Greg Huegel, PK: Brother, Steve, was a starting kicker at South Carolina.
- Mitch Hyatt, OT: Nephew of former Clemson All-ACC defensive tackle Dan Benish. Benish started on Clemson’s 1981 National Championship team and Hyatt started on Clemson’s 2016 National title team.
- Tre Lamar, LB: His uncle, Anthony Butts, played football at Mississippi State and in the NFL.
- Ryan Mac Lain, WR: Cousin of former Clemson All-ACC offensive guard Eric Mac Lain.
- Trayvon Mullen, CB: Cousin of former Heisman winner and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson.
- Hunter Renfrow, WR: Father played football and baseball at Wofford College and once had an interception of a Homer Jordan pass against Clemson in 1981.
- Milan Richard, TE: Nephew of 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and former Georgia All-American Herschel Walker.
- Amari Rodgers, WR: Son of former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, now quarterback coach at Southern California.
- Logan Rudolph, DE: Brother of former Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Will Swinney, WR: Son of Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
- Drew Swinney, WR: Son of Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney
- Nolan Turner, SS: Son of former Alabama player Kevin Turner, who also played eight years in the NFL with New England Patriots.
- James Skalski, LB: Father, John, played football at Oklahoma.
- Cannon Smith, TE: Son of former Clemson starting defensive end Bill Smith. Smith was starter on 1981 National Championship team.
- Baylon Spector, LB: Son of former Clemson receiver Robbie Spector.
- Will Spiers, P: Son of former Clemson punter and baseball All-American Bill Spiers.
- Jake Venables, LB: Son of Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
- Garrett Williams, FB/TE: Son of former Florida State running back Dayne Williams, who played against Clemson in 1988 Florida State game in Death Valley.
FATHER-SON CLEMSON LEGACIES ON 2018 ROSTER
Player Father (Clemson Years)J.D. Davis, LB #Jeff Davis, LB (1978-81)Judah Davis, LB #Jeff Davis, LB (1978-81)Brian Dawkins, Jr., DB Brian Dawkins, S (1992-95)Cannon Smith, TE #Bill Smith, DE (1977-81)Baylon Spector, LB Robbie Spector, WR (1988-90)Will Spiers, P Bill Spiers, P (1986)
# Denotes players on 1981 National Championship team
Coach Title(s) Position(s) CU Years Alma Mater PronunciationDabo Swinney Head Coach *16th Alabama ‘93 Dabo Swinney (DA-boh SWEE-nee)Brent Venables Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator Linebackers 7th Kansas State ‘92Danny Pearman Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator Tight Ends 11th Clemson ‘87Tony Elliott Assistant Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator Running Backs 8th Clemson ‘02Jeff Scott Assistant Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator Wide Receivers 11th Clemson ‘03Todd Bates Assistant Coach Defensive Tackles 2nd Alabama ‘05Robbie Caldwell Assistant Coach Offensive Linemen 8th Furman ‘77Mickey Conn Assistant Coach Safeties 2nd Alabama ‘93Lemanski Hall Assistant Coach Defensive Ends 1st Alabama ‘08Mike Reed Assistant Coach Cornerbacks 6th Boston College ‘94Brandon Streeter Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator Quarterbacks 5th Clemson ‘99* - includes over five seasons (2003-08) as an assistant coach and over nine seasons as a head coach (2008-19)
COACHES
# Player Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Cl. Exp. Hometown High School or Junior College Pronunciation 62 Cade Stewart OL 6-3 310 *So. 1VL Six Mile, S.C. Daniel HS 65 Matt Bockhorst OG 6-4 310 *Fr. RS Cincinnati, Ohio St. Xavier HS 67 Albert Huggins DT 6-3 315 Sr. 3VL Orangeburg, S.C. Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS 68 Noah DeHond OT 6-7 310 *Fr. RS Rochester, N.Y. Peddie (N.J.) School 69 Marquis Sease OL 5-11 280 *Fr. HS Swansea, S.C. Swansea HS Swansea (SWAHN-see) 70 Seth Penner OG 6-2 325 Sr. 2VL Naples, Fla. First Baptist Academy 71 Jack Maddox LS 6-3 220 *Fr. RS Acton, Mass. Acton-Boxborough Regional HS 71 Jordan McFadden OT 6-3 300 Fr. HS Spartanburg, S.C. Dorman HS 72 Blake Vinson OT 6-4 285 *Fr. RS Ocala, Fla. North Marion HS 73 Tremayne Anchrum OT 6-2 310 Jr. 2VL Powder Springs, Ga. McEachern HS 74 John Simpson OG 6-4 330 Jr. 2VL North Charleston, S.C. Fort Dorchester HS 75 Mitch Hyatt OT 6-5 310 Sr. 3VL Suwanee, Ga. North Gwinnett HS 76 Sean Pollard OL 6-5 315 Jr. 2VL Jackson Springs, N.C. Pinecrest HS 77 Zach Giella OL 6-6 315 *Jr. 2VL Lincolnton, Ga. Augusta Christian Schools Giella (jee-EH-luh) 78 Chandler Reeves OT 6-6 295 *So. 1VL McDonough, Ga. Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy 79 Jackson Carman OL 6-5 345 Fr. HS Fairfield, Ohio Fairfield Senior HS 80 Milan Richard TE 6-3 255 *Gr. 3VL Savannah, Ga. Calvary Day School 81 Drew Swinney WR 5-8 180 Fr. HS Clemson, S.C. Daniel HS 82 Will Brown WR 5-8 185 *Fr. RS Boiling Springs, S.C. Boiling Springs HS 83 Carter Groomes WR 5-8 185 *So. SQ Central, S.C. Daniel HS 84 Cannon Smith TE 6-4 270 *Sr. 3VL Columbia, S.C. Hammond School 85 Max May WR 6-1 195 Fr. HS Clemson, S.C. Daniel HS 86 Tyler Brown TE 6-0 220 *So. HS Greenville, S.C. Eastside HS 87 J.L. Banks TE 6-1 240 *Jr. TR Madison, Ga. North Oconee HS 88 Braden Galloway TE 6-4 240 Fr. HS Anderson, S.C. Seneca HS 89 Tristan Walliser LB 6-3 200 *So. HS Clover, S.C. Clover HS 90 Dexter Lawrence DT 6-4 350 Jr. 2VL Wake Forest, N.C. Wake Forest HS 91 Darnell Jefferies DT 6-2 275 Fr. HS Covington, Ga. Newton HS 92 Greg Huegel PK 5-10 195 *Sr. 3VL Blythewood, S.C. Blythewood HS Huegel (HYOO-guhl) 94 Jacob Edwards DT 6-2 285 *Fr. RS Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills HS 95 James Edwards DT 6-2 285 *Fr. RS Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills HS 97 Carson King P 5-11 215 *Jr. SQ Nashville, Tenn. Brentwood Academy 97 Nick Rowell DT 6-3 275 Sr. SQ Spartanburg, S.C. James F. Byrnes HS 98 Steven Sawicki P/PK 6-3 240 *Jr. TR Fayetteville, N.C. Gray’s Creek HS 99 Clelin Ferrell DE 6-4 265 *Jr. 2VL Richmond, Va. Benedictine College Preparatory Clelin (CLEE-lihn)* - spent one season as a redshirt player; ^ - has another year of eligibility remaining in 2019
TEAM STATS CU Opp.SCORING 353 104 Points Per Game 44.1 13.0 Points Off Turnovers 51 38FIRST DOWNS 188 114 Rushing 82 44 Passing 97 54 Penalty 9 16RUSHING YARDAGE 1896 733 Yards gained rushing 2042 1157 Yards lost rushing 146 424 Rushing Attempts 307 327 Average Per Rush 6.2 2.2 Average Per Game 237.0 91.6 TDs Rushing 26 6PASSING YARDAGE 2285 1378 Comp-Att-Int 178-274-6 108-209-5 Average Per Pass 8.3 6.6 Average Per Catch 12.8 12.8 Average Per Game 285.6 172.2 TDs Passing 20 6TOTAL OFFENSE 4181 2111 Total Plays 581 536 Average Per Play 7.2 3.9 Average Per Game 522.6 263.9KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 9-237 10-141PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 23-211 10-39INT RETURNS: #-Yards 5-128 6-47KICK RETURN AVERAGE 26.3 14.1PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 9.2 3.9INT RETURN AVERAGE 25.6 7.8FUMBLES-LOST 11-5 23-8PENALTIES-Yards 40-393 48-373 Average Per Game 49.1 46.6PUNTS-Yards 34-1346 64-2840 Average Per Punt 39.6 44.4 Net punt average 37.3 39.5KICKOFFS-Yards 63-3980 25-1577 Average Per Kick 63.2 63.1 Net kick average 41.1 38.6TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 28:03 31:573RD-DOWN Conversions 46/107 34/127 3rd-Down Pct 43% 27%4TH-DOWN Conversions 5/11 3/11 4th-Down Pct 45% 27%SACKS BY-Yards 26-159 12-84MISC YARDS 11 0TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 47 12FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 8-12 7-10ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 0-2RED-ZONE SCORES (34-38) 89% (15-20) 75%RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS (28-38) 74% (10-20) 50%PAT-ATTEMPTS (47-47) 100% (11-11) 100%ATTENDANCE 321309 255400 Games/Avg Per Game 4/80327 4/63850 Neutral Site Games 0/0
Caused Fumbles (14): Ferrell 2, Simmons 2, Wallace 2, Kelly 1, Pinckney 1, Spector 1, S. Smith 1, Terrell 1, Thomas 1, Wilkins 1, Jo. Williams 1Recovered Fumbles (8): Chase 1, Foster 1, Henry 1, D. Lawrence 1, Pinckney 1, Spector 1, Wilkins 1, TEAM 1
* - defensive; ̂ - special teams tackles; Note: Special teams tackles and tackles after turnovers are included in tackle totals; tackle totals are from coaches film grade.
SCOREBOARDDate Site W-L Score Opponent (AP,USA) Attendance CU AP,USA Leading Rusher(s) Leading Passer(s) Leading Receiver(s) Leading Tackler(s)9-1 H W 48-7 Furman 80,048 2,2 Dixon (6-89) T. Lawrence (9-15-137) Rodgers (3-44) Simmons/Wilkins (6)9-8 ^A W 28-26 Texas A&M (RV,RV) 104,794 2,2 K. Bryant (15-54) K. Bryant (12-17-205) Rodgers (5-73) Simmons/Wallace (7)9-15 H W 38-7 Georgia Southern 79,844 2,2 Etienne (16-164) T. Lawrence (12-19-194) Ross (3-103) Lamar (12)9-22 A W 49-21 *Georgia Tech 50,595 3,2 Etienne (11-122) T. Lawrence (13-18-122) Rodgers (6-60) J.D. Davis (10)9-29 H W 27-23 *Syracuse (RV,RV) 80,122 3,2 Etienne (27-203) T. Lawrence (10-15-93) Higgins (4-53) Joseph (12)10-6 A W 63-3 *Wake Forest 31,608 4,4 Etienne (10-167) T. Lawrence (20-25-175) Ross (5-74) Lamar (8)10-20 H W 41-7 *NC State (16,15) 81,295 3,3 Etienne (15-39) T. Lawrence (26-39-308) Higgins (8-119) Simmons (12)10-27 A W 59-10 *Florida State 68,403 2,2 Etienne (10-45) T. Lawrence (20-37-314) Rodgers (6-156) Joseph (6)11-3 H *Louisville 11-10 A *Boston College 11-17 H *Duke 11-24 H South Carolina * - ACC game; ^ - night game; Note: Bold denotes a Clemson home game; home attendance - 321,309 (80,327 per game); total (home, away, neutral) attendance - 576,709 (72,089 per game).
SPECIAL TEAMS & MISCELLANEOUS STATS # PUNTING P Yards Y/P LG TB FC -20 50+ HB 48 Will Spiers 33 1304 39.5 51 2 14 12 4 0 13 Hunter Renfrow 1 42 42.0 42 0 0 0 0 0 CLEMSON 34 1346 39.6 51 2 14 12 4 0 Opponents 64 2840 44.4 73 5 21 17 16 0
Category 2018 Clemson Team High Clemson Team Record 2018 Opponent Team High Opponent Team RecordTotal Offense 698 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 756 vs. Wake Forest, 10-31-1981 501 by Texas A&M, 9-8 771 by Florida State, 11-4-2000Plays 82 vs. Syracuse, 9-29 102 vs. NC State, 11-17-2012 75 by Florida State, 10-27 99 by South Carolina, 11-12-1968 by Louisville, 10-1-2016 Yards Per Play 10.0 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 11.2 vs. Georgia Tech, 10-17-1903 7.0 by Texas A&M, 9-8 9.3 by Florida State, 11-4-2000Rushing Yards 471 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 615 vs. Georgia Tech, 10-17-1903 146 by Georgia Tech, 9-22 478 by Tulane, 11-18-1944Carries 53 vs. Syracuse, 9-29 78 vs. Duke, 10-20-1979 56 by Georgia Tech, 9-22 82 by North Carolina, 11-15-1969Yards Per Carry 11.8 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 11.8 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6-2018 3.2 by NC State, 10-20Rushing Touchdowns 6 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 11 vs. Presbyterian College, 9-25-1948 2 by Georgia Tech, 9-22 by Syracuse, 9-29Passing Yards 404 vs. Florida State, 10-27 580 vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 430 by Texas A&M, 9-8 521 by Florida State, 11-4-2000Completions 32 vs. NC State, 10-20 52 vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 26 by Syracuse, 9-29 39 by Texas Tech, 12-23-2002Passing Attempts 48 vs. NC State, 10-20 70 vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 41 by Syracuse, 9-29 59 by Louisiana Tech, 12-31-2001Completion %(10 comp.) 83.3 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 88.2 vs. The Citadel, 9-16-1978 63.4 by Syracuse, 9-29 84.6 by NC State, 10-20-1990Passing Efficiency(10 comp.) 180.1 vs. Texas A&M, 9-8 262.9 vs. Furman, 9-15-2007 172.5 by Texas A&M, 9-8 232.2 by Florida State, 9-11-1993Passing Touchdowns 5 vs. Florida State, 10-27 6 vs. many (5) 3 by Texas A&M, 9-8 6 by Florida State, 9-11-1993 6 by West Virginia, 1-4-2012 Longest Pass 68 vs. Florida State, 10-27 97 vs. Virginia, 11-16-1974 73 by Florida State, 10-27 98 by Florida State, 11-4-2000First Downs 28 vs. Syracuse, 9-29 40 vs. South Carolina, 11-26-2016 25 by Texas A&M, 9-8 35 by Maryland, 11-17-1984Total Touchdowns 9 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 12 vs. Wake Forest, 10-31-1981 3 three times 10 by West Virginia, 1-4-2012 Points 63 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 122 vs. Guilford, 10-5-1901 26 by Texas A&M, 9-8 74 by Alabama, 11-14-1931 Field Goals 2 three times, last vs. NC State, 10-20 6 vs. Texas A&M, 9-3-2005 3 by Syracuse, 9-29 6 by Duke, 10-16-1976 vs. Boston College, 9-19-2009 Punting Average(3 punts) 42.3 vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 56.7 vs. Wake Forest, 11-1-1986 55.0 by Texas A&M, 9-8 55.0 by Texas A&M, 9-8-2018Time of Possession 32:51 vs. Syracuse, 9-29 42:58 vs. North Carolina, 11-7-1992 36:05 by Georgia Tech, 9-22 41:52 by North Texas, 9-4-2010Penalties 8 vs. NC State, 10-20 20 vs. NC State, 10-13-2001 16 by Florida State, 10-27 21 by Mississippi State, 12-30-1999 Penalty Yards 68 vs. Georgia Tech, 9-22 181 vs. NC State, 10-13-2001 134 by Florida State, 10-27 188 by Mississippi State, 12-30-1999Turnovers 3 vs. Georgia Southern, 9-15 10 vs. Florida, 10-11-1952 3 by NC State, 10-20 9 by Georgia, 9-19-1981 vs. Syracuse, 9-29Third-Down Conversions 8 vs. NC State, 10-20 15 vs. Western Carolina, 9-3-1983 6 by Texas A&M, 9-8 15 by Georgia, 9-21-1985 Third-Down Conversion % 58.3 vs. Georgia Southern, 9-15 100.0 vs. Wake Forest, 10-31-1981 37.5 by Texas A&M, 9-8 72.7 by Florida State, 9-11-1993Field Position Own 42 vs. Florida State, 10-27 49 vs. Florida Atlantic, 9-2-2006 Opp 33 by Syracuse, 9-29 50 by Wake Forest, 10-7-2006Punt Return Yards 87 vs. Furman, 9-1 227 vs. Georgia Tech, 9-26-1987 25 by Texas A&M, 9-8 150 by Florida State, 9-20-1997Kickoff Return Yards 58 vs. Georgia Tech, 9-22 286 vs. Florida State, 9-25-2004 34 by Texas A&M, 9-8 290 by North Carolina, 10-22-2011Interception Return Yards 65 vs. NC State, 10-20 143 vs. Maryland, 10-31-1970 44 by Georgia Tech, 9-22 166 by Auburn, 11-21-1953Interceptions By Defense 2 vs. NC State, 10-20 6 vs. South Carolina, 11-27-1971 2 by Georgia Southern, 9-15 7 by South Carolina, 10-25-1945 vs. NC State, 9-30-1995 by Georgia Tech, 9-22Fumble Return Yards 11 vs. Georgia Southern, 9-15 93 vs. Virginia, 9-19-1998 N/A 103 by West Virginia, 1-4-2012Sacks 5 vs. Georgia Southern, 9-15 12 vs. Furman, 9-7-1996 4 by Syracuse, 9-29 7 by Florida State, 9-20-1997 vs. Florida State, 10-27 by Virginia, 10-11-1997
INDIVIDUALCategory 2018 Clemson Individual Best Clemson Individual Record 2018 Opponent Individual Best Opponent Individual RecordTotal Offense 321 by Trevor Lawrence vs. Florida State, 10-27 588 by Deshaun Watson vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 463 by Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) 9-8 509 by Chris Weinke (Florida State), 11-4-2000Rushing Yards 203 by Travis Etienne vs. Syracuse, 9-29 263 by Raymond Priester vs. Duke, 11-11-1995 92 by Kendall Hinton (Wake Forest) 10-6 256 by Steve Wadiak (South Carolina), 10-19-1950Carries 27 by Travis Etienne vs. Syracuse, 9-29 36 by many (3) 25 by TaQuon Marshall (GA Tech) 9-22 45 by James McDougald (Wake Forest), 10-9-1976Rushing Touchdowns 3 by Travis Etienne, three times 5 by Stumpy Banks vs. Furman, 10-13-1917 2 by Eric Dungey (Syracuse) 9-29 4 by many (4) 5 by Maxcey Welch vs. Newberry, 10-17-1930 Longest Carry 70 by Travis Etienne vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 90 by Banks McFadden vs. Presbyterian College, 9-23-1939 53 by Kendall Hinton (Wake Forest) 10-6 98 Steve Atkins (Maryland), 11-18-1978 90 by Buck George vs. Furman, 11-17-1951Passing Yards 314 by Trevor Lawrence vs. Florida State, 10-27 580 by Deshaun Watson vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 430 by Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) 9-8 521 by Chris Weinke (Florida State), 11-4-2000Completions 26 by Trevor Lawrence vs. NC State, 10-20 52 by Deshaun Watson vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 26 by Eric Dungey (Syracuse) 9-29 35 by George Godsey (Ga. Tech), 10-28-2000 Passing Attempts 39 by Trevor Lawrence vs. NC State, 10-20 70 by Deshaun Watson vs. Pittsburgh, 11-12-2016 41 by Eric Dungey (Syracuse) 9-29 57 by Kip Allen (The Citadel), 10-4-1986 57 by George Godsey (Georgia Tech), 10-28-2000Completion %(10 comp.) 80.0 by Trevor Lawrence vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 95.0 by Cole Stoudt vs. SC State, 9-7-2013 63.4 by Eric Dungey (Syracuse) 9-29 100.0 by Darian Durant (North Carolina), 10-20-2001 Passing Efficiency(10 comp.) 216.6 by Trevor Lawrence vs. GA Tech, 9-22 261.9 by Tajh Boyd vs. Syracuse, 10-5-2013 172.5 by Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) 9-8 245.5 by Mike Elkins (Wake Forest), 10-29-1988Passing Touchdowns 4 by Trevor Lawrence vs. GA Tech, 9-22 6 by Deshaun Watson vs. North Carolina, 9-27-2014 3 by Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) 9-8 6 by Geno Smith (West Va.), 1-4-2012 by Trevor Lawrence vs. Florida State, 10-27 Receptions 8 by Tee Higgins vs. NC State, 10-20 16 by Sammy Watkins vs. Ohio State, 1-3-2014 8 by Jakobi Meyers (NC State) 10-20 14 by Kelly Campbell (Ga.Tech), 10-28-2000Receiving Yards 156 by Amari Rodgers vs. Florida State, 10-27 227 by Sammy Watkins vs. Ohio State, 1-3-2014 120 by Kendrick Rogers (Texas A&M) 9-8 249 by Peter Warrick (Florida State), 9-20-1997Receiving Touchdowns 2 by Tee Higgins vs. Florida State, 10-27 3 by many (6) 2 by Kendrick Rogers (Texas A&M) 9-8 4 by Torry Holt (NC State), 10-31-1998 by Amari Rodgers vs. Florida State, 10-27 4 by Tavon Austin (West Virginia), 1-4-2012All-Purpose Yards 218 by Amari Rodgers vs. Florida State, 10-27 345 by Sammy Watkins vs. Maryland, 10-15-2011 120 by Kendrick Rogers (Texas A&M) 9-8 496 by Tobais Palmer (NC State), 11-17-2012Total Touchdowns 3 by Travis Etienne, three times 5 by Stumpy Banks vs. Furman, 10-13-1917 2 by Kendrick Rogers (Texas A&M) 9-8 4 by many (7) 5 by Maxcey Welch vs. Newberry, 10-17-1930Points 18 by Travis Etienne, three times 33 by Maxcey Welch vs. Newberry, 10-17-1930 12 by Kendrick Rogers (Texas A&M) 9-8 24 by many (7) by Eric Dungey (Syracuse) 9-29Field Goals 2 by Greg Huegel, three times 6 by Jad Dean vs. Texas A&M, 9-3-2005 3 by Andre Szmyt (Syracuse) 9-29 6 by Vince Fusco (Duke), 10-17-1976 by Richard Jackson vs. Boston College, 9-19-2009 Longest Field Goal 49 by Greg Huegel vs. Furman, 9-1 61 by Spencer Benton vs. Ball State, 9-8-2012 51 by Andre Szmyt (Syracuse) 9-29 60 by Kevin Butler (Georgia), 9-22-1984Punting Average(3 punts) 42.3 by Will Spiers vs. Wake Forest, 10-6 55.3 by Dale Hatcher vs. Kentucky, 10-2-1982 55.0 by Braden Mann (Texas A&M), 9-8 Punt Return Yards 87 by Amari Rodgers vs. Furman, 9-1 167 by Don Kelley vs. Maryland, 10-20, 1970 25 by Roshauud Paul (Texas A&M), 9-8 Kickoff Return Yards 58 by Cornell Powell vs. GA Tech, 9-22 282 by Justin Miller vs. Florida State, 9-25-2004 18 by Roshauud Paul (Texas A&M), 9-8Interception Return Yards 46 by K'Von Wallace vs. NC State, 10-20 101 by Willie Underwood vs. South Carolina, 11-22-1980 42 by Malik Rivera (GA Tech), 9-22 128 by Dennis Tabron (Duke), 10-18-1980Interceptions 1 five times by five players 3 by many (5) 1 by many 4 by Jim Dooley (Miami (Fla.)), 1-1-1952 Fumble Return Yards 1 by Nyles Pinckney vs. GA Southern, 9-15 93 by Antwan Edwards vs. Virginia, 9-19-1998 N/ATackles 12 by Tre Lamar vs. GA Southern, 9-15 27 by Keith Adams vs. South Carolina, 11-20-1999 12 by Kielan Whitner (Syracuse), 9-22 29 by Ed Stetz (Wake Forest) 10-30-1971 by Kendall Joseph vs. Syracuse, 9-29 by Ryan Guthrie (Syracuse), 9-22Tackles For Loss 3.0 by Clelin Ferrell vs. Texas A&M, 9-8 6 by Keith Adams vs. Duke, 11-6-1999 2.5 by Otaro Alaka (Texas A&M), 9-8 4.5 by Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), 11-24-2012 by Andre Branch vs. Virginia Tech, 10-1-2011 4.5 by Brian Burns (FSU) 11-11Sacks 2.0 four times by three players 4 by Keith Adams vs. Duke, 11-6-1999 2.0 by Kendall Coleman (Syracuse) 9-29 4.5 by Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), 11-24-2012 by Andre Branch vs. Va.Tech, 10-1-2011
Note: Numbers in (parentheses) denote minimums; bold denotes a Clemson home game.
CLEMSON’S LONG PLAYS Yds Player(s) Type Opp70 * Etienne Rush WF68 * Lawrence to Rodgers Pass FSU65 * Dixon Rush WF64 * Choice Rush WF64 Bryant to Rodgers Pass TAM64 * Lawrence to Higgins Pass TAM61 Brice to Overton Pass FSU61 Dixon Rush FUR59 * Etienne Rush WF58 * Lawrence to Rodgers Pass FSU57 * Lawrence to Ross Pass GSU55 * Lawrence to Ross Pass WF53 * Lawrence to Ross Pass GT52 * Dixon Rush WF50 Bryant to Higgins Pass TAM46 * Lawrence to Higgins Pass NCS42 Lawrence to Powell Pass FUR41 Lawrence to Ross Pass FSU41 Brice to Dixon Pass WF40 Bryant to Renfrow Pass TAM40 * Bryant to Rodgers Pass FUR40 * Etienne Rush GSU38 Bryant to Kendrick Pass FUR35 * Bryant Rush FUR35 Etienne Rush GSU32 Choice Rush GSU31 Lawrence to Renfrow Pass GSU30 * Lawrence to Higgins Pass GT30 Etienne Rush GT29 Lawrence to Ross Pass GSU28 Brice to Renfrow Pass SYR28 Etienne Rush TAM27 Bryant Rush TAM27 * Feaster Rush GT26 * Etienne Rush SYR25 Etienne Rush SYR24 Lawrence to Etienne Pass NCS24 Brice to Overton Pass NCS24 Brice to Ross Pass NCS22 Etienne Rush WF21 Lawrence to Higgins Pass FSU21 Lawrence to Thompson Pass NCS21 Etienne Rush SYR21 Lawrence to Rodgers Pass GT20 Brice to Ross Pass NCS20 * Lawrence to Higgins Pass WF20 Choice Rush SYR20 Brice to Higgins Pass SYR20 Bryant to Chase Pass GT20 Bryant to Galloway Pass GSU * - touchdown; Note: Offensive plays only; bold denotes a Clemson home game.
WAKE FOREST # Qtr Clock Spot Plays Yards TOP Result 1 1 13:49 29 6 -5 2:26 Punt 2 1 10:19 *41 3 -19 1:24 Punt 3 1 7:21 30 3 -2 0:47 Punt 4 1 6:25 25 3 3 0:55 Punt 5 1 3:49 13 9 31 2:24 Int 6 2 13:16 30 3 4 1:07 Punt 7 2 9:53 25 4 10 1:11 Punt 8 2 4:53 *48 5 29 1:26 Downs 9 2 0:30 25 2 1 0:30 Half 10 3 15:00 25 3 -5 1:05 Punt 11 3 13:45 25 5 20 1:10 Punt 12 3 10:36 21 7 72 2:14 FG 13 3 6:36 19 3 6 0:56 Punt 14 3 4:41 25 3 3 2:10 Punt 15 3 2:21 25 8 24 3:19 Punt 16 4 10:08 25 7 45 4:00 Downs 17 4 4:13 21 3 2 2:26 Punt 18 4 0:48 25 2 5 0:48 Game
NC STATE # Qtr Clock Spot Plays Yards TOP Result 1 1 11:23 25 3 -1 1:26 Punt 2 1 8:36 12 5 19 3:25 Punt 3 1 2:59 25 3 9 2:24 Punt 4 2 13:19 20 5 19 2:19 Punt 5 2 5:41 16 8 30 3:26 Fum 6 2 0:46 25 2 8 0:27 Int 7 2 0:01 24 1 -1 0:01 Half 8 3 15:00 25 8 45 3:59 Int 9 3 9:28 31 3 6 1:34 Punt 10 3 6:47 24 4 -2 1:24 Downs 11 3 3:54 25 10 75 3:58 TD 12 4 12:32 25 3 7 0:44 Punt 13 4 8:11 25 5 27 2:15 Downs 14 4 3:13 20 7 71 3:13 Game
FLORIDA STATE # Qtr Clock Spot Plays Yards TOP Result 1 1 15:00 7 3 0 1:21 Punt 2 1 12:01 20 8 5 4:02 Punt 3 1 6:18 *49 3 -4 1:30 Punt 4 1 1:41 15 3 4 0:37 Punt 5 2 13:19 25 5 13 2:13 Punt 6 2 7:49 25 9 35 2:57 Int 7 2 3:34 25 3 2 0:46 Punt 8 2 1:07 25 3 2 0:33 Punt 9 2 0:08 35 1 -2 0:08 Half 10 3 14:12 25 3 4 2:12 Punt 11 3 0:00 10 0 0 0:00 Fum 12 3 10:11 6 6 20 2:12 Punt 13 3 7:50 25 10 57 3:15 FG 14 3 1:58 16 3 -9 1:29 Punt 15 4 13:45 10 6 9 3:05 Punt 16 4 6:51 20 6 80 2:08 TD 15 4 2:46 30 4 -19 2:24 Punt
* - in opponent’s territory
Yds Player(s) Type Team 73 * Blackman to Helton Pass FSU 69 Mond to Buckley Pass TAM 53 Hinton Rush WF 51 Dungey to Harris Pass SYR 45 Sanders Rush FUR 42 Beal-Smith Rush WF 40 Werts to Kennedy Pass GSU 39 Oliver Rush GT 37 McKay to Riley Pass NCS 31 Dungey to Custis Pass SYR 30 Mond to Rogers Pass TAM 29 Marshall to Lynch Pass GT 28 Mond to Sternberger Pass TAM 26 Finley to Meyers Pass NCS 26 Mond to Ausbon Pass TAM 25 Francois to Nabers Pass FSU 24 Mason Rush GT 24 * Mond to Rogers Pass TAM 23 Mond Rush TAM 23 Oliver to Lynch Pass GT 22 Francois to Terry Pass FSU 22 Hartman to Dortch Pass WF 21 Francois to Murray Pass FSU 21 Mond to Rogers Pass TAM 21 Mond to Gillaspia Pass TAM 20 Gallaspy Rush NCS 20 Finley to Riley Pass NCS 20 Hartman to Freudenthal Pass WF 20 Dungey to Custis Pass SYR 20 Searcy Rush GT 20 Mond to Sternberger Pass TAM 20 Mond to Ausbon Pass TAM 20 Lincoln Rush FUR * - touchdown; Note: Offensive plays only; bold denotes a Clemson home game.
2018 PARTICIPATION # Player FUR TAM GSU GAT SYR WFU NCS FSU LOU BOC DUK USC Total 2018 G-S Career G-S 81 Drew Swinney, WR --- --- --- --- --- --- 3 --- 3 1-0 1-0 22 Will Swinney, WR 8 ST 5 2 ST 11 18 15 59 8-0 22-0 8 A.J. Terrell, CB *35 *61 *41 *46 *67 *59 *43 *36 388 8-8 22-8 3 Xavier Thomas, DE 10 5 16 23 17 26 24 25 146 8-0 8-0 35 Ty Thomason, RB ST --- --- --- --- --- 3 --- 3 2-0 7-0 1 Trevion Thompson, WR 18 15 17 30 10 31 21 21 163 8-0 49-1 38 Elijah Turner, S --- --- --- --- --- --- 5 --- 5 1-0 1-0 24 Nolan Turner, S 27 10 14 29 14 41 28 50 213 8-0 21-0 53 Regan Upshaw, LB 8 --- ST ST ST ST ST ST 8 7-0 11-0 15 Jake Venables, LB --- --- --- --- --- --- 5 --- 5 1-0 1-0 72 Blake Vinson, OT 11 --- 6 6 --- 6 6 14 49 6-0 6-0 12 K’Von Wallace, S *30 *66 *37 *36 *69 *35 *39 *37 349 8-8 37-14 42 Christian Wilkins, DT *25 *63 *18 *32 *50 *29 *36 *30 283 8-8 52-38 44 Garrett Williams, TE *43 --- *37 17 *47 *22 *30 *23 219 7-6 37-7 30 Jalen Williams, LB 20 7 10 27 3 33 29 34 163 8-0 45-1 59 Jordan Williams, DT 11 --- --- --- 2 38 16 21 88 5-0 5-0 20 LeAnthony Williams, CB 18 --- 4 16 --- 7 8 8 61 6-0 6-0* - start; ST - special teams only; Note: Numbers do not necessarily denote official plays, but rather non-special-team snaps; bold denotes a Clemson home game.
Position FUR TAM GSU GAT SYR WFU NCS FSU LOU BOC DUK USCLT Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt LG Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson C Falcinelli Falcinelli Falcinelli Falcinelli Falcinelli Falcinelli Falcinelli Cervenka RG Pollard Stewart Pollard Pollard Pollard Pollard Pollard Pollard RT Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum Anchrum TE G. Williams Richard G. Williams Richard G. Williams G. Williams G. Williams G. Williams WR Higgins Higgins Higgins Higgins Higgins Higgins Higgins Higgins QB K. Bryant K. Bryant K. Bryant K. Bryant T. Lawrence T. Lawrence T. Lawrence T. Lawrence RB Etienne Etienne Etienne Etienne Etienne Etienne Etienne Etienne WR H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow H. Renfrow WR Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers
DE Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell Ferrell DT D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence D. Lawrence DT Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins Wilkins DE A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant A. Bryant SLB/NB Simmons Simmons Simmons Simmons Simmons Simmons Simmons Simmons MLB Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar WLB Joseph Joseph Joseph J.D. Davis Joseph Joseph Joseph Joseph CB Terrell Terrell Terrell Terrell Terrell Terrell Terrell Terrell SS Wallace Wallace Wallace Wallace Wallace Wallace Wallace Wallace FS Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse Muse CB Mullen Mullen Mullen Mullen Mullen Fields Mullen Mullen
Clemson - Deshaun Watson had 43 rushing yards and 420 passing yards (463 total yards) vs. Alabama at Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 9, 2017 (Clemson 35-31).Opponent - Kellen Mond of Texas A&M had 33 rushing yard and 430 passing yards (463 total yards) at College Station, Texas, on Sept. 8, 2018 (Clemson 28-26).
500 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDSClemson - Deshaun Watson had 8 rushing yards and 580 passing yards (588 total yards) vs. Pittsburgh at Clemson on Nov. 12, 2016 (Pittsburgh 43-42).Opponent - Chris Weinke of Florida State had -12 rushing yards and 521 passing yards (509 total yards) at Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 4, 2000 (Florida State 54-7).
30 CARRIESClemson - Wayne Gallman had 30 carries vs. Auburn at Auburn, Ala., on Sept. 3, 2016 (Clemson 19-13).Opponent - Lamar Jackson of Louisville had 31 carries at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 1, 2016 (Clemson 42-36).
100 RUSHING YARDS BY QUARTERBACKClemson - Kelly Bryant had 105 rushing yards vs. N.C. State at Raleigh, N.C. on Nov. 4, 2017 (Clemson 38-31).Opponent - Lamar Jackson had 162 rushing yards at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 1, 2016 (Clemson 42-36).
100 RUSHING YARDS BY TWO PLAYERSClemson - Travis Etienne had 167 rushing yards, Lyn-J Dixon had 163 rushing yards and Adam Choice had 128 rushing yards vs. Wake Forest at Winston-Salem, N.C. on Oct. 6, 2018 (Clemson 63-3).Opponent - Orwin Smith of Georgia Tech had 117 rushing yards and Tevin Washington had 104 rushing yards at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 6, 2012 (Clemson 47-31).
100 RUSHING YARDS BY THREE PLAYERSClemson - Travis Etienne had 167 rushing yards, Lyn-J Dixon had 163 rushing yards and Adam Choice had 128 rushing yards vs. Wake Forest at Winston-Salem, N.C. on Oct. 6, 2018 (Clemson 63-3).Opponent - Never accomplished.
100 RUSHING YARDS & 100 PASSING YARDSClemson - Kelly Bryant had 105 rushing yards and 191 pass-ing yards vs. NC State at Raleigh, N.C., on November 4, 2017 (Clemson 38-31).Opponent - Lamar Jackson of Louisville had 162 rushing yards and 295 passing yards at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 1, 2016 (Clem-son 42-36).
200 RUSHING YARDSClemson - Travis Etienne had 203 rushing yards vs. Syracuse at Clemson, S.C. on Sept. 29, 2018 (Clemson 27-23).Opponent - Branden Ore of Virginia Tech had 203 rushing yards at Blacksburg, Va. on Oct. 26, 2006 (Virginia Tech 24-7).
25 COMPLETIONSClemson - Trevor Lawrence had 26 completions vs. NC State at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 20, 2018 (Clemson 41-7).Opponent - Ryan Finley of N.C. State had 31 completions at Raleigh, N.C. on November 4, 2017 (Clemson 38-31).
400 PASSING YARDSClemson - Deshaun Watson had 420 passing yards vs. Alabama at Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 9, 2017 (Clemson 35-31).Opponent - Kellen Mond of Texas A&M had 430 passing yards at College Station, Texas on Sept. 8, 2018 (Clemson 28-26).
10 RECEPTIONSClemson - Hunter Renfrow had 10 receptions vs. Alabama at Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 9, 2017 (Clemson 35-31).Opponent - Mitchell Ludwig of Virginia Tech had 12 receptions at Orland, FL on Dec. 3, 2016 (Clemson 42-35).
100 RECEIVING YARDSClemson - Amari Rodgers had 156 receiving yards vs. Florida State at Tallahassee, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2018 (Clemson 59-10).Opponent - Kendrick Rogers of Texas A&M had 120 receiving yards at College Station, Texas on Sept. 8, 2018 (Clemson 28-26).
100 RECEIVING YARDS BY TWO PLAYERSClemson - Tee Higgins had 178 receiving yards and Deon Cain had 140 receiving yards vs. The Citadel at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 18, 2017 (Clemson 61-3).Opponent - J. Meyers (105) and K Harmon (155) both of N.C.
State had over 100 receiving yards at Raleigh, N.C. on Nov. 4, 2017 (Clemson 38-31).
200 RECEIVING YARDSClemson - Mike Williams had 202 receiving yards vs. Pittsburgh at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 12, 2016 (Pittsburgh 43-42).Opponent - O.J. Howard of Alabama had 208 receiving yards at Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 11, 2016 (Alabama 45-40).
100 INTERCEPTION RETURN YARDSClemson - Willie Underwood had 101 yards on two interception returns vs. South Carolina at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 22, 1980 (Clemson 27-6).Opponent - Dennis Tabron of Duke had 128 yards on three inter-ception returns at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 18, 1980 (Duke 34-17).
100 PUNT RETURN YARDSClemson - Adam Humphries had 107 yards on eight punt returns vs. Louisville at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 11, 2014 (Clemson 23-17).Opponent - Eddie Royal of Virginia Tech had 117 yards on three punt returns at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 6, 2007 (Virginia Tech 41-23).
200 KICKOFF RETURN YARDSClemson - Sammy Watkins had 207 yards on five kickoff returns vs. Maryland at College Park, Md. on Oct. 15, 2011 (Clemson 56-45).Opponent - Tobais Palmer of NC State had 277 yards on eight kick-off returns at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 17, 2012 (Clemson 62-48).
INTERCEPTION RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - Ryan Carter intercepted a Jake Bentley pass and re-turned it 12 yards for a touchdown vs. South Carolina, at Columbia, S.C. on Nov. 25, 2017 (Clemson 34-10).Opponent - Mack Wilson of Alabama intercepted a Kelly Bryant pass and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown at New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2018 (Alabama 24-6).
PUNT RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - Ray-Ray McCloud returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown vs. N.C. State at Raleigh, N.C. on Nov. 4, 2017 (Clemson 38-31).Opponent - Mike Campanaro of Wake Forest returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 12, 2011 (Clemson 31-28).
BLOCKED PUNT RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - La’Donte Harris returned a blocked punt 10 yards for a touchdown vs. South Carolina at Columbia, S.C. on Nov. 24, 2007 (Clemson 23-21).Opponent - Roderick Rollins of Boston College returned a blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown at Chestnut Hill, Mass. on Nov. 1, 2008 (Clemson 27-21).
KICKOFF RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - Sammy Watkins returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown vs. Maryland at College Park, Md. on Oct. 15, 2011 (Clemson 56-45).Opponent - Kenyan Drake of Alabama returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown at Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 11, 2016 (Alabama 45-40).
FUMBLE RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - Tanner Muse returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown vs. Syracuse at Syracuse, N.Y. on October 13, 2017 (Syracuse 27-24).Opponent - Dominique Mitchell of SC State returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown at Clemson, S.C. on Sept. 6, 2014 (Clemson 73-7).
RECOVERED FUMBLE FOR TOUCHDOWNClemson - Clelin Ferrell recovered a Christian Wilkins fumble (fol-lowing a Georgia Tech fumble) in the end zone for a touchdown vs. Georgia Tech at Atlanta, Ga. on Sept. 22, 2018 (Clemson 49-21).Opponent - Adam Gotsis of Georgia Tech recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 10, 2015 (Clemson 43-24).
TOUCHDOWN BY OFFENSIVE LINEMANClemson - Brandon Thomas recovered a fumble in the endzone vs. Georgia Tech at Atlanta, Ga. on Oct. 29, 2011 (Georgia Tech 31-17).Opponent - Peter Anderson of Georgia fell on the ball in the endzone after a Lars Tate fumble at Clemson, S.C. on Sept. 21, 1985 (Georgia 20-13).
TOUCHDOWN BY DEFENSIVE LINEMANClemson - Christian Wilkins rushed for a touchdown vs. Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2018 (Clemson 59-10).Opponent - Adam Gotsis of Georgia Tech recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 10, 2015 (Clemson 43-24).
FOUR PASSING TOUCHDOWNSClemson - Trevor Lawrence had four passing touchdowns vs. Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2018 (Clemson 59-10).Opponent - Nathan Peterman of Pittsburgh had five passing touch-downs at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 12, 2016 (Pittsburgh 43-42).
FIVE PASSING TOUCHDOWNSClemson - Deshaun Watson had six passing touchdowns vs. South Carolina at Clemson, S.C., on Nov. 26, 2016 (Clemson 56-7).Opponent - Nathan Peterman of Pittsburgh had five passing touch-downs at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 12, 2016 (Pittsburgh 43-42).
FOUR TOUCHDOWNSClemson - C.J. Spiller had four rushing touchdowns vs. Georgia Tech at Tampa, Fla. on Dec. 5, 2009 (Georgia Tech 39-34).Opponent - Dalvin Cook of Florida State had four rushing touch-downs at Tallahassee, Fla. on Oct. 29, 2016 (Clemson 37-34).
FOUR FIELD GOALSClemson - Chandler Catanzaro was 4-4 on field goals with makes of 31, 29, 25 and 24 yards vs. Maryland at College Park, Md. on Oct. 26, 2013 (Clemson 40-27).Opponent - Cody Parkey of Auburn was 4-4 on field goals with makes of 37, 46, 27 and 36 yards at Atlanta, Ga. on Sept. 1, 2012 (Clemson 26-19).
FIVE FIELD GOALSClemson - Chandler Catanzaro was 5-5 on field goals with makes of 38, 42, 18, 20 and 47 yards vs. Boston College at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 8, 2011 (Clemson 36-14).Opponent - Vince Fusco of Duke was 6-7 on field goals with makes of 27, 22, 22, 25, 37 and 57 yards at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 16, 1976 (18-18).
SIX FIELD GOALSClemson - Richard Jackson was 6-6 on field goals with makes of 23, 33, 32, 52, 42 and 35 yards vs. Boston College at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 19, 2009 (Clemson 25-7).Opponent - Vince Fusco of Duke was 6-7 on field goals with makes of 27, 22, 22, 25, 37 and 57 yards at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 16, 1976 (18-18).
50-YARD FIELD GOALClemson - Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 51-yard field goal vs. Georgia Tech at Clemson, S.C. on Nov. 14, 2013 (Clemson 55-31).Opponent - Daniel Carolson kicked a 50-yard field goal at Auburn, Ala. on Sept. 3, 2016 (Clemson 19-13).
SAFETYClemson - A Yellow Jacket wide receiver fumbled an interception return into the endzone, where it was recovered for a safety vs. Georgia Tech at Atlanta, Ga. on Sept. 22, 2016 (Clemson 26-7).Opponent - Joshua Perry forced Tajh Boyd to intentionally ground the ball from the endzone for a safety vs. Ohio State at Miami Gardens, Fla. on Jan. 3, 2014 (Clemson 40-35).
20 POINTSClemson - C.J. Spiller had four rushing touchdowns (24 points) vs. Georgia Tech at Tampa, Fla. on Dec. 5, 2009 (Ga. Tech 39-34).Opponent - Dalvin Cook of Florida State had four rushing touch-downs (24 points) at Tallahassee, Fla. (Clemson 37-34).
BLOCKED PUNTClemson - Jadar Johnson blocked a punt into the endzone for a safety vs. Georgia Tech at Clemson, S.C. on Oct. 10, 2015.The ball went out of the endzone (Clemson 43-24).Opponent - Quenton Washington of South Florida blocked a punt at Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 31, 2010 (South Florida 31-26).
50-YARD PUNTING AVERAGEClemson - Will Spiers had a 51.8-yard average on four punts vs. Louisville at Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 16, 2017 (Clemson 47-21).Opponent - Braden Mann of Texas A&M had a 55.0-yard aver-age on five punts at College Station, Texas on Sept. 8, 2018 (Clemson 28-26).
2-11, Brice 2-6, Choice 2-6, Rodgers 1-5, Lawrence 3-1
Passing (Cm-Att-Yards-I-TD)FUR Grainger 3-5-30-0-1, Lincoln 1-4-16-0-0CU Bryant 11-17-132-0-1, Lawrence 9-14-137-0-3 Receiving (Rec-Yards-TD)FUR DeLuca 1-16-1, Gordon 1-16, Bell 1-7, Sanders 1-7-0CU Rodgers 4-49-1, Higgins 3-35, Galloway 3-34-1, Renfrow
3-24, Thompson 2-22, Ross 2-16-1, Overton 2-10-1, Powell 1-42, Kendrick 1-38, W. Swinney 1-6, Smith 1-6
GAME STATS
CLEMSON, S.C. — No. 2 Clemson opened its 2018 campaign in dominant fashion, defeating the Furman Paladins by a score of 48-7 at Memorial Stadium.
Offensively, the Tigers amassed 531 yards, leading a balanced attack that eclipsed 250 passing yards and 250 rushing yards on the day. On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers limited the Paladins to just 2.6 yards per play and 163 total yards.
The Tigers opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on a Kelly Bryant 40-yard touchdown pass to Amari Rodgers, marking the first career score for the sophomore wideout. Bryant would later add a 35-yard rushing touchdown as well, while Rodgers would finish the contest with a career-high 141 all-purpose yards, including 87 yards on two punt returns.
Freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes in his debut, hitting Diondre Over-ton, Justyn Ross and Braden Galloway for touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Clemson's shutout bid was denied with just over a minute remaining in the game, when Furman scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Darren Grainger to Ryan DeLuca.
Clemson kicker Greg Huegel recorded 11 points in his return from a knee injury, connecting on two field goals (including a career-high-tying 49-yarder) and five of the team's six PATs on the day.
FURMAN 7
CLEMSON 48
GA
ME
1
SEPT. 1, 2018MEMORIAL STADIUM • CLEMSON, S.C.
Clemson 7 7 14 0 28Texas A&M 3 0 10 13 26
TAM LaCamera 40 FG 1st, 4:28, 8-32CU Bryant 1 run (Huegel Kick) 1st, 1:23, 7-75CU Higgins 64 pass from Lawrence (Huegel Kick) 2nd, 14:13, 1-64TAM LaCamera 40 FG 3rd, 10:37, 5-34CU Overton 8 pass from Bryant (Huegel Kick) 3rd, 4:59, 4-70TAM Rogers 9 pass from Mond (LaCamera Kick) 3rd, 4:22, 2-78CU Etienne 1 run (Huegel Kick) 3rd, 1:01, 8-75TAM Davis 14 pass from Mond (LaCamera Kick) 4th, 14:07, 6-75TAM Rogers 24 pass from Mond (LaCamera Kick) 4th, :46, 3-49Attendance - 104,794 Weather – Rain, 81º
Team Statistics CU TAMFirst Downs 14 25Rushing 32-115 32-71Passing 17-27-0 23-40-0Passing Yards 298 430Total Offense 59-413 72-501
3-23, Overton 2-20-1TAM Rogers 7-120-2, Buckley 4-93, Ausbon 3-61, Williams
3-40, Sternberger 2-48, Davis 2-39-1, Gillaspia 1-21, Wood 1-8
GAME STATS
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — No. 2 Clemson hung on through a back-and-forth second half for a 28-26 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field.
Texas A&M still got on the board first, when kicker Daniel LaCamera hit a 40-yarder to give his squad a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the game. However, the Tigers answered on the ensuing drive, with Bryant scoring on a one-yard run.
Clemson upped its lead to 14-3 with less than a minute gone in the second quarter, when Tee Higgins hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Law-rence on the freshman quarterback’s first play of the night behind center. The Clemson defense blocked a Texas A&M 50-yard field goal attempt with just over five minutes left in the first half to take a 14-3 lead into the break.
Clemson led 21-6 following an eight-yard Bryant scoring pass to Diondre Overton, but the teams traded touchdowns to enter the fourth quarter at 28-13 in fa-vor of Clemson. The rest of the game saw Texas A&M bookend the fourth quarter with a pair of touchdowns, with the latter one coming with just 46 seconds remain-ing in the matchup and cutting the Clemson lead to just two points. However, safety K'Von Wallace intercepted the Aggie two-point conversion attempt and wide re-ceiver Hunter Renfrow recovered an onside kick at-tempt to secure the 28-26 victory in front of the largest crowd ever to witness a game in Clemson history.
CLEMSON 28
TEXAS A&M 26
GA
ME
2
SEPT. 8, 2018KYLE FIELD • COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
Georgia Southern 0 0 0 7 7Clemson 0 21 3 14 38
CU Etienne 1 run (Huegel kick) 2nd, 8:43, 13-93CU Ross 57 pass from Lawrence (Huegel kick) 2nd, 5:19, 4-70CU Feaster 1 run (Huegel kick) 2nd, :53, 8-76CU Huegel 37 FG 3rd, 10:36, 7-24GS Werts 6 run (Bass kick) 4th, 13:54, 2-46CU Etienne 40 run (Huegel kick) 4th, 6:06, 2-46CU Choice 10 run (Huegel kick) 4th, 2:03, 6-73Attendance - 79,844 Weather – Mostly Cloudy, 84º
0-0 Receiving (Rec-Yards-TD)GSU Fortune 2-20, Kennedy 1-40CU Ross 3-103-1, Renfrow 2-44, Richard 2-26, Feaster 2-18, Higgins
2-11, Rodgers 2-9, Galloway 1-20, Smith 1-17, Thompson 1-11, W. Swinney 1-7, Chalk 1-6, Kendrick 1-6, Chase 1-4, Powell 1-4
GAME STATS
CLEMSON, S.C. — No. 2 Clemson improved to 3-0 with a 38-7 win against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Memorial Stadium. The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 79,844 people despite kickoff being moved up three-and-a-half hours because of com-plications with Hurricane Florence in the mid-Atlantic region.
The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first quar-ter, as Clemson drives of eight plays, 13 plays and five plays ended in an interception, missed field goal and fumble, respectively. However, Clemson's offense got going in the second quarter, with a pair of one-yard touchdown runs by Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster bookending a 57-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Law-rence to Justyn Ross to give Clemson a 21-0 lead at halftime.
Clemson added a 37-yard field goal and surrendered its only touchdown in the third quarter before touch-down runs by Etienne (40 yards) and Adam Choice (10 yards) pushed the final score to 38-7.
Etienne finished the contest with a career-high 163 yards on 16 carries. The Clemson offense totaled a sea-son-high 595 yards, including 309 rushing yards and 286 passing yards.
Clemson's offensive balance was on display, as the Tigers rushed for 309 yards and threw for 286 yards, It marked the 36th time that Clemson had gained 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards under Head Coach Dabo Swinney, with the Tigers remaining undefeated in such contests.
Ross 1-53-1, Higgins 1-30-1, Kendrick 1-6, Etienne 1-3-1, Richard 1-1
GT Lynch 3-57-1
GAME STATS
ATLANTA — No. 3/2 Clemson opened 2018 ACC play with a 49-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. The win marked Clemson’s fourth straight victory over Georgia Tech for just the third time in program history.
Offensively, Clemson was powered by Trevor Law-rence and his receiving corps, as the freshman quar-terback completed 13-18 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. The Tiger defense did not allow a Yellow Jacket pass completion until late in the third quarter.
The Tigers scored the only points of the first quarter when Clelin Ferrell recovered a Yellow Jacket fumble in the endzone to give Clemson a 7-0 advantage. The second quarter saw Clemson score three times, with all three coming in the form of passing touchdowns by Lawrence.
Georgia Tech got on the board with just two minutes left in the opening half on an 11-yard rush by TaQuon Marshall. However, Clemson quickly got the score back on its third touchdown of the quarter, a three-yard pass from Lawrence to Travis Etienne, who pushed his way into the endzone in the final seconds of the half to bring the score to 28-7 at the break.
Clemson scored three times during the second half, with two coming courtesy of Tavien Feaster and Etienne on the ground, and the third when Tee Higgins hauled in a 30-yard scoring pass from Lawrence.
Johnson 2-17, Strickland 2-7CU Higgins 4-53, Rodgers 4-27, Renfrow 3-45, Ross 3-40, Feaster
1-8, Chase 1-6, Etienne 1-(3)
GAME STATS
CLEMSON, S.C. — A Travis Etienne two-yard rush-ing score with 41 seconds remaining in the game proved to be the difference in the No. 3/2 Clemson’s 27-23 win over the previously undefeated Syracuse Or-ange at Memorial Stadium.
Etienne's touchdown was the culmination of a 13-play, 94-yard drive led by redshirt freshman Chase Brice, who entered the game after quarterback Trevor Lawrence left with an injury in the second quarter. It was the longest drive authored by Clemson for a game-winning touchdown in the final minute in records dat-ing back to 1958. It also came as part of Etienne's career-high 203-yard day on 27 carries with three rush-ing touchdowns.
After trailing 16-7 at the break on the strength of three field goals by Syracuse's Andre Szmyt and a touchdown run by Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey, Clemson overcame a halftime deficit in a win for the first time since overcoming a 27-17 halftime deficit in a 38-31 win against NC State on Nov. 4, 2017. The Tigers also recorded their first victory when trailing af-ter three quarters, Clemson's first since the National Championship game against Alabama during the 2016 season in which Clemson overcame a 24-14 fourth-quarter deficit in a 35-31 win.
The game marked only the fourth time in Memorial Stadium history that two undefeated teams had met four or more games into a season.
SYRACUSE 23
CLEMSON 27
GA
ME
5
SEPT. 29, 2018MEMORIAL STADIUM • CLEMSON, S.C.
Clemson 7 21 21 14 63Wake Forest 0 0 3 0 3
CU Etienne 59 run (Huegel kick) 1st, 6:25, 1-59CU Etienne 3 run (Huegel kick) 2nd, 13:16, 8-62CU Ross 55 pass from Lawrence (Huegel kick) 2nd, 9:53, 5-75CU Higgins 20 pass from Lawrence (Huegel kick) 2nd, :30, 10-81CU Etienne 70 run (Huegel kick) 3rd, 13:45, 1-70WF Sciba 25 FG 3rd, 8:22, 7-72CU Choice 64 run (Huegel kick) 3rd, 4:41, 3-78CU Dixon 65 run (Huegel kick) 3rd, 2:21, 1-65CU Overton 2 pass from Brice (Potter kick) 4th, 10:08, 8-79CU Dixon 52 run (Potter kick) 4th, :48, 3-57Attendance - 31,608 Weather – Partly Cloudy, 79º
Team Statistics CU WFFirst Downs 22 11Rushing 471 175Passing 25-30 7-27Passing Yards 227 74Total Offense 70-698 78-249
Rushing (Car-Yards-TD)CU Etienne 10-167-3, Dixon 10-163-2, Choice 10-128-1, Lawrence
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Travis Etienne, Lyn-J Dixon and Adam Choice all eclipsed the 100-yard rush-ing mark as the No. 4/4 Clemson Tigers amassed 698 total offensive yards en route to a 63-3 defeat of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field.
Between Etienne, Dixon, Choice and three other rushers, Clemson ran for 471 yards, the team’s most in a single game under head coach Dabo Swinney. Through the air, a balanced effort quarterbacked by Trevor Law-rence powered the Tigers. Lawrence completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts in the first half alone, connecting with nine different receivers to amass 173 yards and two touchdowns in the first 30 minutes.
The Tigers held a 7-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter courtesy of a 59-yard scoring run by Eti-enne. It was the first of six touchdowns of 50 yards or more by Clemson during the contest, including two by Etienne, two by Dixon, one by Choice and one by receiver Justyn Ross.
Clemson's 60-point win marked the largest margin of victory in an ACC game in school history. It also rep-resented the second straight ACC road game in which Clemson played all 72 dressed players. Four different players appeared at quarterback for the Tigers, includ-ing starter Trevor Lawrence, quarterbacks Chase Brice and Ben Batson and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.
Passing (Cm-Att-Yards-I-TD)NCST Finley 21-34-156-2-0, McKay 1-1-37-0-0CU Lawrence 26-39-308-0-1, Brice 6-9-72-0-0 Receiving (Rec-Yards-TD)NCST Meyers 8-61, Riley 3-66, Louis 2-16, Harmon 2-13, Thomas
2-13, Emezie 2-12, Gallaspy 1-8, Person 1-3, Rhem 1-1CU Higgins 8-119-1, Ross 5-75, Renfrow 5-41, Thompson 4-45,
Overton 2-32, Kendrick 2-24, Etienne 1-24, Richard 1-13, Chase 1-11, Rodgers 1-0, W. Swinney 1-0, Rencher 1-(4)
GAME STATS
CLEMSON, S.C. — No. 3 Clemson emerged victo-rious in a battle of unbeatens at Memorial Stadium, defeating the No. 16/15 NC State Wolfpack by a score of 41-7.
Offensively, Clemson was powered by Trevor Law-rence, who was 26-39 for 308 yards and one touch-down. Travis Etienne rushed for three touchdowns for the third straight game, a school first. The Tiger de-fense, led by Isaiah Simmons’ 11 total tackles, held a Wolfpack offense that had been averaging 33 points per game to just the seven points.
The Tigers turned a 14-0 first quarter lead into a 24-0 halftime advantage after converting a Dexter Law-rence fumble recovery into an Etienne touchdown run and a K’Von Wallace interception into a Greg Huegel field goal.
The third quarter scoring opened with just under four minutes left in it, when Etienne ran for his third touch-down of the day, a one-yard rush that put the Tigers up 31-0. The Wolfpack got on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter, when a Reggie Gallaspy Jr. nine-yard rush cut the Tigers’ lead to 31-7.
Huegel hit his second field goal of the day and 50thof his career, a 27-yarder, a few minutes later. A two-yard rushing touchdown for Lyn-J Dixon with eight minutes left in the game rounded out the scoring, bringing the final score to 41-7, tied for the second-largest margin of victory over an AP Top 25 team in school history.
NC STATE 7
CLEMSON 41
GA
ME
7
OCT. 20, 2018MEMORIAL STADIUM • CLEMSON, S.C.
Clemson 0 28 24 7 59Florida State 0 0 3 7 10
CU Higgins 7 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick) 2nd, 13:19, 8-69CU Higgins 3 pass from Lawrence (Huegel kick) 2nd, 7:49, 9-58CU Wilkins 1 run (Huegel kick) 2nd, 3:34, 4-30CU Williams 2 run (Huegel kick) 2nd, 1:07, 6-73CU Rodgers 58 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick) 3rd, 14:12, 2-61CU Potter 24 FG 3rd, 10:18, 4-4CU Rodgers 68 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick) 3rd, 7:50, 1-68FSU Aguayo 35 FG 3rd, 4:35, 10-57CU Chase 5 pass from Brice (Potter kick) 3rd, 2:10, 5-75CU Choice 15 run (Potter kick) 4th, 13:50, 4-25FSU Helton 73 pass from Blackman (Aguayo kick) 4th, 4:43, 6-80Attendance - 68,403 Weather - Cloudy, 63º
Team Statistics CU FSUFirst Downs 25 15Rushing 120 -21Passing 24-44 20-40Passing Yards 404 268Total Offense 77-524 75-247
Ross 1-41, Thompson 1-17, Kendrick 1-13, Smith 1-11, Chase 1-5-1, Feaster 1-(4)
FSU Murray 5-49, Terry 4-55, Helton 3-100-1, Akers 3-14, Nabers 2-37, McKitty 1-5, Patrick 1-4, Harrison 1-4
GAME STATS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Freshman Trevor Lawrence threw for four touchdowns as No. 2 Clemson rolled to a 59-10 victory over Florida State.
Lawrence finished the game with a career-high 314 passing yards, connecting on 20-37 passes. The receiv-ing duo of Amari Rodgers and Tee Higgins combined for four touchdowns and 218 yards, including a career-high 165 receiving yards by Rodgers. On the other side of the ball, the Clemson defense forced seven three-and-outs by Florida State and totaled 14 tackles for loss, including five sacks.
Clemson took a 14-0 lead on touchdown passes of seven and three yards from Lawrence to Higgins. Line-backer Tre Lamar later returned an interception 43 yards to set up a touchdown run by defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Garrett Williams also scored on a two-yard touchdown run late in the first half.
It was the Amari Rodgers show in the third quarter as the sophomore recorded receiving touchdowns of 58 and 68 yards, respectively. A field goal by B.T. Potter and a five-yard connection from Chase Brice to T.J. Chase made the score 52-3 in Clemson's favor entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Adam Choice became the third Tiger — but first running back — to rush for a touch-down on the day, punching the ball into the end zone on a 15-yard run. A late FSU score brought the final to 59-10.