MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The “yips” are a concept normally reserved for kickers in football. When the moments get big, some players shy away.

For Clemson, that reality isn’t at kicker, it’s on the offensive line. Time and time again, the Tigers get down to the goal line in 2023 and can’t punch it in. Look back to the start of the season, it was evident against Duke.

Now taking on Miami, Clemson could only muster 31 yards on 34 carries. Not even a yard every time the ball was ran. That’s inexcusable and what made it worse was the Tigers couldn’t even impose their will on a tired defense late.

All the struggles come to one massive moment in overtime, where if the Clemson offensive line can deliver, it can all be forgotten at least for a moment. That wasn’t the case, and the Tigers failed. Starting center Will Putnam addressed the yips, and it appears that’s the reality.

“That definitely could be the case. A lot of guys really are thinking or maybe guys a little timid and that’s just the thing,” Putnam said “This isn’t a game to be timid, this isn’t a game to overthink. That’s why you practice. You practice because you come into a game and you don’t have to think. You practice because you get confidence and you don’t have to be timid so yeah, it’s definitely disappointing.”

1st-and-goal at the 2-yard line. That’s supposed to be a free touchdown but Clemson got manhandled four plays in a row and watched the shorthanded Hurricanes celebrate a win.

“I think stuff like that definitely is probably one of the issues guys are really having. Obviously, we do have a really talented team but again, I think kind of the accumulation of stuff like that was our end result,” Putnam said.

Due to these shortcomings, the Tigers find themselves entirely out of the ACC race and in a season that looks meaningless compared to the standard that’s been built over the last two decades. Clemson must get their confidence back, and it all starts up front.