Here is how top-ranked Clemson graded in Saturday’s 33-13 victory over Wake Forest. The Tigers improved to 11-0 for the first time since 1981 with the win. Clemson has now won 11 or more games three times in the last four years – a first for the program.
Quarterback: C
It was not a great day for Deshaun Watson, but it was still a good day. He threw two interceptions on back-to-back passes in the second quarter – his ninth and 10th interceptions of the season. But he also threw three touchdown passes, including a 47-yard bomb to Germone Hopper on the ensuing series after his second interception. Watson finished the afternoon 24 of 35 for 343 yards. He also ran for 44 yards on 10 carries, including a three-yard first quarter touchdown. His other touchdown passes were 44 yards to Charone Peake and 11 yards to Deon Cain. Kelly Bryant ran the wildcat eight times in the second half, running for a team-high 58 yards. He did throw three passes for four yards and had one pass intercepted.
Running Back: D
It was obvious on Saturday how important Wayne Gallman is to the running game. Clemson’s two leading rushers were the two quarterbacks. The longest run from scrimmage was 13 yards by Tyshon Dye. Five running backs combined to gain just 64 yards on 23 carries. That’s an average of just 2.8 yards per carry. C.J. Fuller was the lone bright spot for the running backs. He ran for 36 yards on 10 carries and caught four passes for 44 yards.
Wide receivers: A
I can’t remember any receiver dropping a sure completion. Germone Hopper even made a spectacular catch on a pass that was out of bounds. Speaking of Hopper, he had a career day, though he caught just three passes. He had 120 yards with those three catches, including one for 63 yards that set up a Deon Cain touchdown reception. Hopper also had a 47-yard touchdown reception. In all, six wide receivers and two tight ends combined to catch 23 passes for 338 yards. Cain, who caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Watson, threw a 35-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow to set up Watson’s rushing touchdown. Charone Peake caught a 44-yard scoring pass from Watson.
Offensive line: B
Clemson averaged just 4.1 yards per carry, which isn’t too bad. Watson wasn’t really touched all day as Wake was unable to record a sack. The offensive line took over in the second half, however. While working on their wildcat packages with Bryant, Clemson ran for 133 of its 171 yards in the second half. With the line leading the way, the Tigers averaged 5.3 yards per carry in the last 30 minutes. But the goal for the offensive line is to gain 200 yards a game, and they fell 29 yards short of their goal.
Defensive line: A
Wake Forest could not block Clemson all afternoon. The front four dominated the line of scrimmage. Of Clemson’s five sacks three came from the defensive line and of the 13 tackles for loss seven were credited to the front four. Kevin Dodd led the way with three tackles for loss, including a team-high two sacks. Dodd finished the game with four tackles overall, while fellow defensive end Shaq Lawson also had four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins had four tackles, too, and had a sack.
Linebackers: A
Ben Boulware was injured early in the game, but before he left with an injured left arm, he already had five tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. His replacement Jalen Williams did not do too bad either. He had six tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Clemson held Wake Forest to 1.2 yards per carry and just 39 yards rushing. Strongside linebacker Dorian O’Daniel had seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while on senior day, senior B.J. Goodson tied O’Daniel for the team-lead seven tackles.
Secondary: B
Wake Forest quarterbacks combined to complete 16 of 28 passes. However, they only threw for 113 yards. Yes, they gave up a late touchdown pass by Kendall Hinton to Cortez Lewis, but they also got an interception from Cordrea Tankersley. Safeties T.J. Green and Jayron Kearse played much better this week compared to the previous three weeks.
Special teams: B
Greg Huegel was again perfect with field goals of 40 and 36 yards. Punter Andy Teasdall averaged 44 yards on three punts. The coverage teams played much better. Wake’s longest kick return was 27 yards and they did not return a single one of Teasdall’s punts. But the kick returns and punt returns continue to be an issue. Hopper muffed one punt return which led to a turnover. He had zero yards on two returns. Fuller returned two kicks for just 38 yards.
Coaching: B
Dabo Swinney continues to keep his team focus and motivated to play. The Tigers had turnover issues, but overall they were prepared to play. The offense totaled 552 yards – the seventh straight game they have went over the 500-yard mark. The defense showed no mercy on a bad Wake Forest offense, limiting it to 152 total yards, including just 39 yards on the ground. The Tigers lost the turnover battle for the fifth time this season. With North Carolina coming up in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 5, the coaches need to stress ball security. The Tar Heels headed into Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech as one of the nation’s best at creating turnovers and turning those turnovers into points.