CLEMSON — Fourth-ranked Miami struck quickly, and the Hurricanes have taken a 17-6 lead over Clemson into halftime. However, the Tigers are within reach.
It did not take long for Miami to flex its muscles. After a quick three-and-out from Clemson to start the game, the Hurricanes quickly jumped on top, with Darian Mensah connecting with Cooper Barkate on a short pass. The blocking was superb on the play, and Barkate had a large crease to run through, and run he did, going 61 yards for a score on Miami’s first official play from scrimmage.
The Hurricanes extended the lead with another touchdown early in the second quarter when Mensah scored from 34 yards out on a scramble play. The veteran quarterback had the ball stripped just before he crossed the goal line, but fortunately for Miami, it bounced right back into Mensah’s hands.
Clemson has gotten two field goals from Nolan Hauser.
Reynolds Flashing
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds has really flashed at times in the first half. There have been some mistakes, too, but you can see why the staff is so high on him. He certainly has the arm talent.
The freshman is 22-of-31 for 191 yards. Yet somehow, the Tigers only have six points. The final drive before the half was impressive. It is very similar to what happened in the North Carolina game. Clemson was down 17-3 and went on a long drive to end the second half. The Tigers could not punch it in and had to settle for a short Hauser field goal to pull within 17-6. Sound familiar?
Defense Keeping Clemson In It
The Tigers’ defense has kept the team in this game. The offense just has to do its part. Make no mistake, the Canes have hit some plays, but on multiple occasions, the D has gotten the ball back to the offense with a chance to pull within one score.
Miami does have 222 yards of offense, but Tom Allen’s unit was able to get a couple of key second-quarter stops. The offense just has to capitalize.
What would help is a game-changing type of turnover early in the second half.
No Running Game
Gideon Davidson has just five carries in the first half, as the Tigers have no rushing yards due to the sacks. There hasn’t been a ton of effort to get the backs involved in the running game, as the plan looks to have been to get the quarterback more involved there.
As good as Miami is, there is just very little chance you beat them with a one-dimensional offense, and right now, that is what Clemson is. There have been 31 pass attempts to 15 rushing attempts.
Miami has four sacks in the first half and two more pressures. A lot of that is due to the Tigers’ young offensive line getting worked over, at times.
Mensah Is That Good
The Miami quarterback came in completing 88% of his passes through the first four games, and through the first two quarters he has kept up that insane completion percentage. Mensah is 9-of-13 for 141 yards with one touchdown pass and one scoring run. The veteran is just smooth as silk. Noting seems to rattle him. Having said that, Clemson has not put all that much pressure on him. He’s had plenty of time in the pocket.
TB6
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone playing harder than Tyler Brown. The junior receiver has 68 yards in the first half, and almost every single one of those were effort yards, coming after he’d broken a tackle. Have to find even more ways to get him the ball in the second half. His eight first-half catches are one off a career-high.
Toney Locked Down
Malachi Toney has been limited to just three catches and 20 yards in the first half.