Though some of the younger fans might not remember, or even know it, but Clemson is known more for its great defenses over the years than anything it has done on offense.
On nearly every one of Clemson’s greatest teams, it was its defense that carried the squad.
The Clemson Insider went through its archives to find the best defensive football teams in Clemson history.
What are the criteria for the 10 best defenses in Clemson history? Obviously, yards and points allowed per game will stand out as will playmakers and rushing yards allowed per game and per rush. How many All-ACC or All-Americans were on the team, where were they ranked in the ACC, nationally, and much more goes into our decision.
Today, we continue our list with what TCI believes is the No. 8 best defense in Clemson history.
1991
No one ran the football on Clemson in 1991. The Tigers set an NCAA record for fewest rushing yards allowed at 61.1 yards per game. Opponents averaged just 1.8 yards per carry.
The 1991 defense set the standard at Clemson when it came to stopping the run. In an era when running the football was like the spread offense is today, no one could run on the Tigers. The most rushing yards they allowed in a single game was 146, and that came against California in the final game of the season at the Citrus Bowl.
Only three teams eclipsed the century mark on the ground overall. Georgia Tech had 123 in Week 3, and two weeks later Virginia recorded 113. During the Tigers’ six-game winning streak to close the season, NC State ran for 10 yards, Wake Forest ran for 20, North Carolina totaled 81, Maryland had 39 yards, while South Carolina had 15 rushing yards and Duke had 18.
Overall, the Tigers finished the year ranked second nationally in total defense, giving up just 272.6 yards per game. Opponents completed just 49 percent of their passes. Clemson recorded a record 43 sacks that season, which was led by All-American middle guard Rob Bodine and defensive tackle Chester McGlockton. Bodine had 7.5 sacks, while McGlockton recorded seven. Bodine had 27 tackles for loss, while McGlockton had 18. Reserve defensive tackle Brentson Buckner had 5.5 sacks.
The Tigers were also led by All-American linebackers Levon Kirkland and Ed McDaniel. Kirkland, an outside backer, had 67 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. McDaniel led the team in the middle with 114 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.
In all, five players earned First-Team All-ACC honors from this defense. Besides Bodine, Kirkland and McDaniel, McGlockton and safety Robert O’Neal were also first-team selections. Bodine, Kirkland and McDaniel were all First-Team All-Americans in 1991.
— Above photo of defensive tackle Chester McGlockton (USA TODAY Sports)
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