Clemson Game Notes

The Tigers did get to a bowl, the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte. Glad I didn't go as the game went much as the season has gone and the Tigers lost 31-26. Now don't let that score mislead you. It wasn't that close at all. The two teams came in with almost identical offensive and defensive stats. They also had a similar personality, good defense and questionable offense. Well, as we have done too often lately, we made their questionable offense look good. But our offense looked the same and did not appear to have improved any from the 15 extra practices that were the real plum of getting to a bowl game.

I said in Game Notes after the SC game (below) that I would practice and play Boyd to begin to get ready for next year. Boyd did get in early, at 4:04 remaining in the first quarter, but wasn't effective in one series. Parker came back in and was the same as he's been all season and gave the Bulls momentum with an across-the-body throw that resulted, predictably, in an interception. We've seen that too much this season. Boyd played the entire second half, which he would have done under any circumstances had I been coaching this team. But Dabo didn't have to make that decision as Parker cracked a rib on an option run, forcing the decision to play Boyd. He started off shaky, but looked good the last few possessions. That does it for Parker—he's off to his baseball career. I'm looking forward to seeing Boyd next year.

Bowers may have tied the Clemson single season sack record. I say "may have" because I have not seen the official stats yet, so I don't know how his participation in a group sack will be recorded. Update: Bowers was not credited with even a partial sack on this play and did not break or tie the record. But let me say this. Bowers got his sacks this season without the benefit of an offense that could score, get a lead, and force the opponent to throw more. In this game, as in too many games this year, he didn't have many opportunities for a sack against an opponent that led most of the game and was running the ball or throwing short, game-control passes. It's really remarkable that Da'Quan was able to get the sacks he got playing on a team that played behind most of the year. We're really going to miss him. And yes, of course I'm assuming he will opt for the NFL draft even though he has said he'll announce his decision on January 14.

In any event, help is on the way for the offense. If the Tigers manage to hang onto the commitments they have from HS seniors, the speed and skill of the offense will improve quickly. I hope the Tiger coaching staff can learn quickly between now and next season so they know how to use these weapons. I guess it's too much to hope for that they will learn how to coach blocking.

Until next year, Go Tigers!!!