The Clemson offense has been a model of inconsistency for much of the season, and in Saturday’s 18-13 win over Syracuse, it was basically allergic to the end zone.
The Tigers hit on some big plays in both the passing and running game, made three trips inside the red zone, yet still failed to produce a single offensive touchdown for the first time since the 16-7 road win over South Carolina in 2023.
Once again, it was Nolan Hauser’s leg and Tom Allen’s defense that propelled this Clemson team to a victory. Hauser connected on four of his five field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder, and Jahiem Lawson returned a Steve Angeli fumble for a touchdown, providing Clemson with just enough points to escape with a victory.
The Tigers move to 6-3 on the season and 4-2 in ACC play.
Hauser Is Money
Where would this team be without Hauser? Clemson’s junior kicker has 96 points on the season. That is 27 made field goals and 15 PATs. That means he has actually outscored the entire offense all by himself, seeing as Chad Morris’ unit is responsible for just 90 of the team’s 104 points this season.
Hauser did finally miss his second field goal of the season when his 57-yard attempt in the second quarter came up a little short. Still, after his four makes on Saturday, he is now 27-of-29 on the season, tying him with Greg Huegel for the most in a single season in program history.
As hard as things have been for the offense, it’s been a privilege watching Hauser have what will inevitably be the best single season by a field goal kicker in Clemson history. At this pace, he’s also got a very realistic shot at winning the Lou Groza Award.
Tait’s Legs Seal It
There was a lot to be critical of when it comes to the running game on Saturday, but when the Tigers needed a couple of first downs to burn the final 3:12 off the clock, Tait Reynolds provided them. Facing a 3rd and 8 with just over three minutes left, the freshman picked up 10 on a quarterback draw to move the chains. Two plays later, he picked up another first down on a 13-yard scamper, which would allow the Tigers to just kneel on it and kill the rest of the clock.
Reynolds only passed for 161 yards, and he was off with a couple of his deep balls, but with each passing game, he is growing more confident in his ability to make plays with his legs. Reynolds also had a 20-yard run early in the fourth and an 18-yard run early in the second. The freshman finished with 61 rushing yards, which was the second-most on the afternoon.
Disappearance of RBs
As mentioned already, there was plenty to criticize with the running game. With Gideon Davidson out, Jarvis Green made his first career start and broke off a 53-yard run on the very first play from scrimmage. Green got two more carries on that opening drive, but did not carry it again until after halftime. Chris Johnson Jr., who admittedly hasn’t been very effective in the running game, did not get his first carry until the third quarter.
In a low-scoring affair, in which the offense was struggling mightily, the running backs did not get a single carry in the first half after that opening drive.
Chad Morris was brought back to Clemson, in part to re-energize the running game, and in this game, the argument can be made that he did not make enough of an effort to do so. Even Reynolds only had one carry in the opening quarter, although he did have four in the second.
The backs probably need to be more involved next weekend against Georgia Tech. Even if Davidson is still out.
Interior Keeps Improving
The interior of Clemson’s defensive line was one of the biggest question marks coming into the season. With Kourtney Kelly going down early in the spring with an ACL injury and Markus Strong getting injured against LSU, the Tigers were down two of their biggest transfer additions.
Darien Mayo was eventually moved inside, and he’s been a big part of the improvement seen at the position. However, former five-star Amare Adams is also starting to find his footing, and the sophomore has come up clutch a few times of late, including notching his second sack of the season in Saturday’s win. Champ Thompson has flashed, and Andy Burburija has started to settle in.
Kelly recently returned and logged 20 snaps in the loss to Virginia Tech, but he made his presence felt in the win over the Orange. It was his forced fumble that Lawson scooped up and returned for a touchdown, which was ultimately the difference in the game.
Is the interior playing up to the infamous Power Rangers? No. But that position has been better than most assumed it would be.
– Photo courtesy of Clemson Athletics