By Chandler Carver.
By Chandler Carver
Playing against a Maryland team overwhelmed by injuries, No. 8 Clemson used another balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive performance to down the Terrapins, 45-10, in Death Valley on Saturday.
Game-Changing Moment: With 5:15 to go in the first quarter, Maryland forced a Tajh Boyd fumble and recovered the ball on their own 43 yard-line with a little momentum in their favor. On first down, the Terrapins picked up 16 yards on a run by Brandon Ross. Then Shawn Petty was sacked by Malliciah Goodman, who stripped the ball loose and then picked it up to complete the trifecta. The turnover gave the Tigers the ball and led to a third Clemson touchdown.
Story Line: Today’s game against the Terrapins, the first of three consecutive home games to close out the 2012 season, was a chance for the Tigers to come out, execute properly and make a statement. It was an opportunity for the offense to continue to produce at the same high quality as the last two weeks, at Wake Forest and at Duke. It was also a chance for the Tigers to establish the school record for consecutive wins at Memorial Stadium. With 436 yards of offense, 45 points and a victory, the Tigers accomplished all of those things.
Turning Point: After allowing a touchdown on Clemson’s second drive of the game, Maryland started its second drive of the game on its own 25-yard line. On third down, Petty rolled out and fumbled the football, which was scooped up by Corey Crawford, who rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown. In a matter of 12 seconds Clemson took a 14-0 lead and stole all the momentum from the Terrapins.
What went right? Clemson’s defense has continued to improve throughout the season, and that was the case again on Saturday. The Tigers’ defense held Maryland to 180 yards of total offense, the fewest yards allowed by a Clemson team since October 31, 2009 when the Tigers held Coastal Carolina to 170 yards. It is also the fewest yards by an ACC team against the Tigers since 2009 when Clemson held Wake Forest to 178 yards of total offense. The Tigers’ defense also held Maryland to just 1-13 on third-down conversions. That is the fewest third-down conversions for an opponent since September 19, 2009 when Boston College was 1-12.
What went wrong? Clemson fumbled three times and all were recovered by Maryland. The Tigers had lost just two fumbles all season and was second in the nation in that category.
They said it.
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney
“There is no doubt we came ready to play. We were ready from the opening snap. Our players are excited to play every week because we practice the right way. I’m proud of our backups because they showed our depth and took care of business.
“We are a very focused program and we have had great leadership all season. This group of Tigers is the most consistent at home, with our 12th consecutive home win. It starts with how we practice.”
Quarterback Tajh Boyd
“There is always more room for improvement. I know we keep saying that every week, but it just drives you to go out there and score every drive possible. I don’t believe that there are too many people that stop us. As you can see…we stop ourselves sometime. There is more of a concentration on it. Heading into the week, of practice, coaches don’t let us get complacent. Not even to a point. We have to keep building and keep working.”