North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report
10/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 22, 2002
#12 (AP) #9 (ESPN) NC STATE (8-0, 3-0) at CLEMSON (4-3, 2-2)
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 2002
TIME: Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. (EDT) at Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC (81,473)
RADIO: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network. AIRTIME: 6:45 p.m.. (EDT)
TELEVISION: ESPN (National)
OPPONENT--Wake Forest running back Chris Barclay fumbled out of the end zone with less than two minutes remaining as Clemson held on for a 31-23 ACC victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Barclay broke free for 17 yards on a 3-and-2 from the Tigers 18 but was stripped of the ball by Clemson's Brian Mance. The Tigers took over at their own 20 yard line with 1:15 remaining following the touchback and then ran out the clock to seal the victory in a game dominated statistically by Wake Forest.
The Deacons scored on five of their first seven possessions and led 23-14 early in the third quarter. That's when Clemson's defense turned up the intensity. The Tigers forced five turnovers on Wake Forest's last six offensive drives. The Deacons also hurt themselves with penalties--14 for 125 yards.
WFU quarterback James MacPherson was intercepted three times in the second half--his first interceptions of the season. Tailback Nick Burney fumbled at the Deacons' 30, which set up a two-yard touchdown run by the Tigers Bernard Rambert. That score sliced the margin to 23-21 late in the third quarter.
Clemson, led by quarterback Willie Simmons' 21 completions on 33 passes for 205 yards, finally took its first lead of the second half at 24-23 on Aaron Hunt's 34-yard field goal with 9:38 left in the game. Wake Forest then marched to midfield, only to unravel on two breakdowns. A wide-open Jason Anderson at the Clemson 20 dropped a 29-yard pass by MacPherson on second and long. On third down, MacPherson threw his third interception of the game.
Taking over at the Clemson 42, the Tigers drove to the 11 on three completions by Simmons. Faced with a fourth-and-3, Coach Tommy Bowden resorted to trickery. The Tigers lined up for a field goal that would have extended the lead to 27-23, but holder Jeff Scott received the snap and scrambled around left end for a 4-yard gain and a first down. Two plays later, Rambert scored from three yards out for a 31-23 lead with 3:02 remaining.
Left with one final chance, the Deacons moved downfield on MacPherson's 32-yard completion to Fabian Davis and an 11-yard strike to Jax Landfried. On the next play from the Clemson 18 Barclay broke through the line and up the middle with his momentum carrying him toward the goal line. That's when Mance stripped the ball out of Barclay's hands. It bounced through the back of the end zone before a player from either team could recover it. The touchback gave Clemson the ball.
The Demon Deacons rushed for 365 yards and MacPherson finished 10-of-18 for 158 yards for Wake Forest, which had 523 total yards, compared to just 280 for Clemson. Simmons completed 21-of-33 passes for 205 yards and also scored on a 13-yard run in the first quarter for the Tigers. Wake Forest dominated the first half when it gained 295 yards on 51 plays to Clemson's 130 yards on 24 plays. But the Tigers scored on a 65-yard, six-play drive in the final 1:23 of the half to trail only 16-14 at the intermission.
The most improved part of Clemson's team is its defense. The Tigers, under new coordinator, John Lovett, are ranked second in the ACC in total defense, allowing only 316.6 yards per game, a figure than ranks 21st in the nation. Clemson has allowed just 164 yards per game passing, 12th best nationally. That is due in part to increased pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the Tigers starting front four. Tackles Nick Eason (6-4, 295, Gr.) and Donnell Washington (6-6, 315, So.) and ends Khaleed Vaughn (6-4, 260, Gr.) and Bryant McNeal (6-5, 236, Sr.) have combined for 46 quarterback pressures and have recorded 13 of the team's 17 sacks.
Linebackers, John Leake (6-1, 225, Jr.) and Rodney Thomas (6-0, 225, Sr.) are Clemson's leading tacklers combining for 170 stops. The secondary is a veteran group, led by Mance at cornerback. The lone newcomer, true freshman Justin Miller, made his first career start against Wake Forest. He responded with 10 tackles and an interception while playing the corner opposite Mance. Miller got the opportunity for increased playing time when Coach Tommy Bowden kicked starting cornerback, Kevin Johnson, off the squad for violating team academic rules. The Tigers are tied for the ACC lead in interceptions with 11. Mance leads the league with four picks while Miller has three.
Clemson does not appear to be as stingy against the run as in past years. Opponents are rushing for 152 yards a game and have scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.
The Tigers losses have come against Georgia, Florida State and Virginia. In addition to Wake Forest, Clemson has beaten Louisiana Tech, Georgia Tech, and Ball State.
Last in the ACC in total offense (355), Clemson is still able to find the end zone (27.7 ppg.) and continues to employ a diverse, no-huddle, spread offense that features a big offensive line. However, a new quarterback is running the show. Woody Dantzler, who gained 517 yards of total offense last year against NC State, went to the NFL. Grad student, Willie Simmons (6-1, 201) has stepped in and is completing nearly 59 percent of his passes this season for an average of a little more than 200 yards a game.
Simmons can run and pass. However, he is not the runner Dantzler was and appears more effective when remaining in the pocket. Simmons has averaged 18.6 completions per game. That's ahead of Dantzler's school record of 16.9 completions set last year. Against Florida State, Simmons had his best outing of the season, throwing for 293 yards and two scores and rushing for 50 yards in 13 attempts.
The top pass catching threats for Clemson are Kevin Youngblood (6-5, 219, Jr.), JJ. McKelvey (6-4, 219, Sr.), and Derrick Hamilton (6-4, 200, So.). The trio has combined for 93 receptions-- 64 percent of the team's total. Hamilton is very dangerous. He ranks 10th nationally and first in the ACC in all-purpose yards per game (164.6). Hamilton is the team's No. 2 rusher (177 yards on 15 carries) and leads the Tigers in kick off returns (21.4 ypr.) and punt returns (12.6 ypr.).
Clemson's rushing attack is averaging 132 yards a game. Redshirt sophomore Yusef Kelly (56 ypg. & 8 touchdowns) leads the ground gainers. Rambert (6-0, 210, Sr.) who has started the last three games is averaging nearly 43 yards rushing and is emerging as the featured back. The Tigers are converting only 39 percent of their third down opportunities compared to NC State's 51 percent.
With the exception of Hamilton, Clemson's kicking game appears to be average. Senior Wynn Kopp is averaging 37.3 yards per punt with one attempt blocked. Junior Aaron Hunt has made 9 of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 47-yards. He has not had an attempt blocked.
Four times since 1989 Clemson has ended an undefeated NC State season. The last time was in 1991 when NC State went to Memorial Stadium with a 6-0 mark and was beaten 29-19. The Tigers hold a 5-4 record against ranked NC State teams since 1957. This will be the Wolfpack's biggest test to date.
INJURIES--NC State: CB A.J Davis-Out; Fractured fibula; OLB Avery Gibson-Probable; High ankle sprain; LB Corrie Dawson-Out; Sprained PCL; TE Sean Berton-Questionable; Ankle sprain.Clemson:OT Derrick Brantley-Out; Knee; OG Nick Black-Out; Broken leg; CB Justin Miller-Probable; Ankle; DE Khaleed Vaughn-Probable; Ankle; DE Bryant McNeal-Probable; Ankle; WR J.J. McKelvey-Probable; Neck strain: OG Greg Walker-Probable; Thigh bruise.
