By Will Vandervort.
By Will Vandervort
Each week we take a look back at what the Clemson Tigers did right and what they did wrong on the gridiron as we grade the Tigers’ performance at every position in Saturday’s 45-10 victory over Maryland.
Quarterbacks
Grade: B
Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd did not throw an interception and added to his league high 28 touchdown passes with three more on Saturday. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 261 yards. The only negatives, he fumbled the ball twice, including one at the one-yard line. Backup quarterback Cole Stoudt came in and led the Tigers to a fourth-quarter touchdown, while completing 5 of 8 passes for 40 yards and a score.
Running backs
Grade: B
Andre Ellington got back in action and had 55 yards and a touchdown before halftime. With Clemson up 35-7 at the break, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney decided it was best to sit his star tailback the rest of the game. Roderick McDowell came in and rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries.
Wide receivers/ Tight ends
Grade: A
Again, DeAndre Hopkins continues to add to his impressive resume, this time hauling in his 14th touchdown of the season, which is already a school record. In all nine different receivers caught a pass and four of them scored touchdowns—Sammy Watkins, Adam Humphries, Stanton Seckinger and Hopkins. Martavis Bryant also hauled in a 48-yard pass down the near sideline. Watkins did not play the second half due to a sore calf muscle. Hopkins also sat out the second half. The two combined for 119 yards on eight catches in the first half.
Offensive line
Grade: B
It was a so-so day for the offensive line. The good news is they did not give up a sack to a team that led the ACC in sacks coming in with 31, plus they appeared to get stronger as the game wore on. The bad news, the Tigers averaged just 3.2 yards per carry on 42 rushes.
Defensive line
Grade: B
Again, the defensive front showed it can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, registering a sack, while also forcing two fumbles. Defensive end Malliciah Goodman hit the trifecta in the first quarter when he recorded a sack, stripped the ball out and then recovered the fumble. Defensive end Corey Crawford recovered a fumble and raced 16 yards for a score. The only disappointing thing was the fact Maryland rushed for 139 yards.
Linebackers
Grade: B
Middle linebacker Spencer Shuey recorded a sack and had six tackles, while Stephone Anthony registered seven tackles. The linebackers also did a good job containing the option and stayed home on screens and passes to the running backs, tight ends and wide receivers.
Secondary
Grade: A
Does it count when you are given the answers prior to taking a test. This had to be the easiest week of the year for the Clemson secondary, which held Shawn Petty, a converted linebacker, to 6 of 12 passing for 41 yards. Nickel back Travis Blanks also recorded six tackles, had a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble.
Special Teams
Grade: C
Chandler Catanzaro made a 22-yard field goal, while Spencer Benton averaged 42 yards on two punts. The kick and punt coverage played well to. The only two blunders came on a muffed punt by Adam Humphries that led to a Maryland touchdown, and then a 74-yard miscellaneous return that set up a Terrapins’ field goal. That return came after Benton’s attempt on a 55-yard field goal in the third quarter that fell way short.
Coaching
Grade: B
Once again, the team came out focused and ready to play, and that is a sign of a staff that has its team ready to go, no matter the competition. The only negative thing was the fact Swinney called for a long field goal try which Dexter McDougle returned 74 yards to the Clemson 26 when it fell short by 10 yards.