North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Clemson
9/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
NC STATE (1-2, 0-1) vs. No. 15/14 CLEMSON (3-0, 1-0)
DATE:
TIME: Kickoff:
RADIO: Wolfpack Sports Network. Airtime:
TELEVISION: Raycom/Lincoln Financial Sports (ACC Network)
OPPONENTUndefeated after three games for the first time since 2000, the Tigers have one of the nation’s most efficient pass offenses, but the running gameClemson’s bread and butter in ’06has lagged behind. That could be an area of concern for the Tigers who dropped four of their final five games last season when opponents forced Clemson to throw by loading up against the run.
Redshirt junior quarterback Cullen Harper, a first-year starter who has shown good accuracy and game management skills, completed 16 of 19 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday in a 38-10 win against Furman. The Paladins stacked the area near the line of scrimmage with sometimes as many as nine defenders which provided Harper with some open receivers.
Fourth nationally in pass efficiency, Harper has completed an impressive 72 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Harper’s favorite target is redshirt junior Aaron Kelly (6-5, 190) who has 14 catches (6 against Furman) including 3 for touchdowns. He has caught a touchdown pass in 4 straight games. Junior Tyler Grisham (10 catches) is a steady veteran while sophomore Jacoby Ford has used his blazing speed to convert 5 catches into 123 yards and 2 scores.
With Harper’s positive growth at quarterback, the need for a devastating ground attack wasn’t necessary in beating
State will also be without two experienced defensive tackles. DeMario Pressley and John Bedics will both miss the game with injuries.
Clemson’s dangerous runningback tandem of powerful James Davis (5-11, 210) and speedster C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190) combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards last season. However, after three games in ’07, the pair stands at only 313 yards. Other than
Coach Tommy Bowden has complained about a lack of toughness in an offensive linea unit that was Clemson’s biggest question mark (in addition to the quarterback position) entering the season. Against Furman, the Tigers gave up five sacks, but Bowden said the line played with better intensity.
Left tackle Barry Richardson (6-7, 330, Sr.) is the anchor up front. The Outland and Lombardi Award candidate is a fourth-year starter, but nobody else comes close to his experience level.
Center Barry Humphries (6-3, 295, So.) and the entire right side of the line are all first-year starters who are trying to develop chemistry. However, there is some depth. Backup right guard, Brandon Pilgram, a redshirt senior, has played in three bowl games.
Even with a running attack that is not hitting on all cylinders, the Tigers rank No.2 in the ACC in scoring (37 ppg.) and total offense (391 ypg.) and are third in passing (265 ypg.). They also lead the league in touchdown passes (11).
Behind Harper is the most highly-decorated Clemson quarterback signee since Steve Fuller.
Defensively, Clemson gave up 384 yards last week, but forced five turnovers and turned back three Furman scoring threats. The Paladins ran for 142 yards and completed 20 of their first 22 passes, but were picked off three times.
Like NC State, the Tigers would like to improve a run defense that’s surrendering nearly 176 yards an outing (No. 11 ACC). Overall, opponents are averaging 18 points (No.2 ACC) and 353 yards a game.
The strength of the defensive unit is in the front-seven. Tramaine Billie, a third-year starter who missed last season with an injury, is back at outside linebacker. On the other side is another third-year starter, senior Nick Watkins. His 32 tackles lead the team. In the middle, redshirt junior Courtney Vincent has moved up after two years as a reserve.
Up front, junior end Phillip Merling (6-5, 280) is difficult to block and is an All-ACC candidate. The third-year starter leads the Tigers in tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. Nose guard, Dorrell Scott (6-4, 320), is also very talented and experienced. He had 4 stops in last year’s win over NC State.
The safeties, Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin are solid veterans. The pair has combined for two of Clemson’s three interceptions this season. Hamlin is a third-year starter who is one of the best in the ACC.
Experienced reserves from ’06 have stepped up to fill starting roles at cornerback. Sophomores Crezdon Butler (6-0, 185) an All-ACC Freshman selection in 06 and Chris Chancellor (5-10, 170) won the starting jobs in preseason practice.
In Ford and Spiller, the Tigers have a very dangerous return duo. Ford was the only player in Division-1 to return a kickoff and a punt at least 90-yards for a touchdown in ’06. He was also the ACC indoor track champion in the 60-meters. Spiller, who has a 31-yard kickoff return average this season, was All-ACC in both football and track a year ago.
Redshirt junior Mark Buchholz continues to make it tough on opponents to establish field position. His kickoffs have been returned for an average of only 19 yards. The average starting position for Clemson opponents has been the 21-yard line. Buchholz has also converted both his field goal attempts, but nothing longer than 31-yards.
First-year starter, Jimmy Manners, has punted 15 times for a 41 yard averagegood for seventh in the ACC.
Clemson has won its last three games against NC State, including a 31-10 victory in
NOTES: State is 11th in the nation this week in pass defense (126 ypg.)...Eight of the last 10 State-Clemson games have been decided by 8-points or less, including two of the last three...In the Pack’s last win over Clemson in 2003, Philip Rivers led the Pack. Clemson’s QB that night was Charlie Whitehurst who now backs up Rivers in
INJURIES--NC State: DT DeMario Pressley (knee)-out; DT John Bedics (ankle)-out; RB Toney Baker (knee--out for season; TE Anthony Hill (knee)-out for season; FB John Kane (concussion)-out for season; TE Rashad Phillips (rehab from auto accident)-out for season. Clemson: MLB Cortney Vincent (lower leg)-probable; MLB Antonio Clay (lower leg)-probable.
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