CLEMSON — It has been a back-and-forth affair here in the first half as Clemson has overcome an early two-touchdown deficit to take a 28-21 lead into halftime.
Halftime Analysis
Klubnik Returns
Cade Klubnik has mostly been sharp after missing the loss to SMU two weeks ago with an ankle injury. The senior is 10-of-14 for 138 yards with one touchdown. One of those incompletions was a drop that went right through Tristan Smith’s hands.
New Look OL
With Tristan Leigh back and Collin Sadler out, true freshman Brayden Jacobs got the start at LG. Walker Parks played the first series at RG before giving way to Harris Sewell. After Sewell was shaken up early in the second quarter, Parks was back in his spot. And it might be the best effort up front we’ve seen this season. At least to this point.
The pass protection has been pretty solid, and the backs have had some room to run. Adam Randall already has 88 rushing yards and is averaging well over six yards per carry. The Tigers have rushed for 142 as a team and have 280 yards of total offense.
True Frosh Finally Getting Opportunity
Gideon Davidson is finally getting some opportunities to show what he can do. The freshman back has six carries for 29 yards to go along with one catch out of the backfield. He also had a key block on a blitz pickup and a heads-up fumble recovery.
Do It All Antonio
Antonio Williams already has close to 100 all-purpose yards. The senior has 71 receiving yards and 22 rushing yards. He has two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing.
No Respect
Duke opened the game by showing zero respect for the Tigers’ defense. The Blue Devils went for it on fourth down three straight times before Tom Allen’s unit started to bow up some by forcing two straight three-and-outs. However, on the Devils’ final first-half possession, Duke converted another fourth down on its way to its fourth touchdown of the game.
The Tigers have already allowed 252 yards through the first two quarters.
Weak Link Getting Exposed
The safeties have been an area of concern all season, and the Blue Devils are exposing those issues.
The nickel spot, or what Tom Allen likes to call the Tiger in the Clemson defense, continues to be a weakness for Clemson. Que’shaun Brown absolutely burned Tink Kelley on Duke’s first touchdown of the game.
On the Blue Devils’ second touchdown, Cooper Barkate got behind the secondary on a coverage bust. Corner Avieon Terrell let Barkate go thinking he had help from safety Ronan Hanafin, but there was no help as Hanafin bit on the play action, and Mensah found his man all by himself down the field for a 77-yard touchdown.
Even Avieon Terrell, who has been one of the more reliable players in coverage this season, got burned for a touchdown.
Late in the half, it was Khalil Barnes’ turn to get burned, as he allowed a 43-yard touchdown catch by Brown.