TCI examines each position group’s performance from Saturday’s 34-17 win over Boston College…
Quarterbacks: B+
There was plenty of good in Deshaun Watson’s evening. He threw for 420 yards, which is a new career high for the sophomore. He had three touchdown passes, two of which came largely due to perfectly thrown balls. The two interceptions he threw could be chalked up to a gameplan that called for balls to be put in jeopardy for a lot of the game. One of those was a bad throw, and he was clearly off on the deep ball in the first half. Watson’s day was still exceptional on the stat sheet.
Running Backs: B
Saturday’s game was not conducive to big games from Clemson’s running backs. Tiger tailbacks combined for only 79 yards on 23 carries, but the deficiencies in the run game were offset a bit by how involved the backs were in the passing game. Wayne Gallman and Zac Brooks combined to catch five passes for 45 yards, including Brooks’ 22-yard touchdown catch. Pass protection was pretty good from this crew, too, with a few hiccups along the way.
Wide Receivers: A
This was a breakout game for the wideouts. Specifically, it was a big day for Artavis Scott. His ten catches for 162 yards paced this group. The remainder of the group had meager days in terms of receptions, but the depth of Clemson’s receiving corps was front and center. Eight other guys caught passes from that group, which paced Watson to his career day.
Offensive Line: C+
The offensive line did not look horrible for the measure of play on Saturday, but it was definitely a struggle for that group. Boston College’s defense does some things to make it tough for opposing offenses to block its pressure, and the Tigers did not handle that dynamic particularly well. Watson was hit a lot in the game and had to scramble a number of times to escape the rush. The line wasn’t great paving the way for the run game, either, but there were some quality moments in that aspect.
Defensive Line: B-
This might be an unfair standard, but the defensive line did not do as well as some of its predecessors against the Eagles. Better running teams have come into Memorial Stadium and been held to fewer yards and fewer big plays over the years. There were moments where the Tigers owned the line of scrimmage, but overall, the success of this group is judged by dominance, and it wasn’t a dominant group on Saturday.
Linebackers: A-
Against the run, the linebackers at the second level of the defense were effective making plays. However, the most impressive thing about this group—as has been the case on many occasions this season—is how relentlessly they all attack the quarterback. B.J. Goodson had a sack in the game, and he combined with Ben Boulware for three quarterback pressures. BC’s passing game was not supposed to be very good anyway, but the Tigers made sure it never got off the ground.
Defensive Backs: A
There were really no issues with this bunch, but they weren’t really tested very much, either. Coverage seemed to be a “men versus boys” showdown that gave Clemson a major advantage. Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green were all over the field. Even Mackensie Alexander had a tackle for loss in the game. Only a couple of times did an Eagles receiver get loose down the field, and those plays never resulted in catches.
Special Teams: A-
Dabo Swinney said Saturday’s game marked the third in a row in which special teams played a starring role. Greg Huegel continues to impress as the placekicker with a pair of converted field goals. Andy Teasdall had a fine day as the punter, and the return game was fine. The biggest eye-opener was Ammon Lakip’s work on kickoffs, as he consistently boomed the ball into the end zone for touchbacks. Clemson has sorely missed that this season, and the difference was stark on Saturday.