Since allowing LSU to run up and down the field in the season opener, the Clemson defense has shown a lot of improvement.

The numbers are still somewhat skewed due to the 644 yards surrendered to the Bayou Bengals, but Tom Allen’s unit has definitely been a little more stingy since that debacle in Baton Rouge. The Tigers allowed just 22 rushing yards to Georgia Southern the following week, and after starting off shaky against North Carolina, the defense really clamped down in the second half. Against Cal, Clemson allowed just 231 yards of total offense.

Then came offensive juggernaut Miami. The defense held the fourth-ranked Hurricanes fairly in check over most of the first three quarters, but ineffectiveness on the offensive side of the ball would ultimately lead to the unit wearing down.

All of that to say, this Clemson defense has probably been a little better than the numbers would suggest.

“I think we’ve started to find our identity,” transfer safety Corey Myrick said. “Taking that time to look at the places where we can really get better at, and just helping us find our identity to perfect on tackling. I feel like the first couple of games of the season, it was mainly the run and being able to attack that well, to stop the run, and finding our identity for the rest of the season.”

And what is that identity?

“A gritty defense,” Myrick responded. “We don’t want to give up no yards, no points. I feel like that Cal game kind of represents us in the best way, so just trying to stay on that track. Trying to stay on the same page. Be the defense we know we can be.”

Through the ups and downs, Myrick has been one of the bright spots. He leads the team with 51 total tackles, while adding one pass breakup.

But there is still a lot of room for more improvement. Coming out of the open date, the Tigers are allowing 25.8 points and 381.1 yards per game. Opponents are converting 39% of their third-down opportunities.

Despite the two losses, there is still a lot left on the table for this team. Clemson is still very much alive to lock up a spot in Charlotte, and moving forward the focus will be to take things one week at a time. That starts at noon on Saturday against FCS foe Charleston Southern.

“To just take it a week at the time,” Myrick said. “Just continue to execute every game. You can’t really look forward to a seven-week season, or however you want to say it. Just play every game that comes to us.”

– Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider