Clemson brings home an early Christmas present for fans

Tajh Boyd walked out of the Clemson locker room with tears in his eyes because his comeback came up a touchdown short in the December 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Fighting back tears while he talked to the media, Boyd promised Clemson fans that when the team was his to lead they would make a return trip to Charlotte in 2011 for the ACC Championship Game.

Head coach Dabo Swinney also had a message to the fans.

“If I was sitting in their shoes I would be doubting and questioning me, too,” Swinney said. “It was a tough year, but it is a new year starting tomorrow, and I have to make sure this never happens again. I’m going to do everything I can to get us better. That includes anything and everything within my power.”

Fast forward 11 months to Bank of America Stadium and both made good on their promises as the Tigers issued a 38-10 thrashing to Coastal Division champions Virginia Tech and punched their ticket to the Discover Orange Bowl.

After throwing just four touchdowns and seven interceptions in the previous four games, Boyd - the ACC Championship Game MVP - completed 20-of-29 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 34 yards and another touchdown.

The Tigers punted on the opening possession of the game, but the defense came out firing on all cylinders with freshman linebacker Stephone Anthony forcing a fumble on Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas.

Boyd hit tight end Dwayne Allen on the left sideline and after muscling his way through several Hokie defenders, he walked into the end zone giving Clemson the early 7-0 lead.

Virginia Tech would score its first touchdown on a long pass over the middle and the teams would swap field goals for a 10-10 tie at half time.

The Clemson defense came out strong again, stopping Virginia Tech on their first drive. Boyd and the offense marched down the field on a 10-play, 87-yard drive ending in another Dwayne Allen touchdown catch for a 17-10 Tiger lead.

Nine seconds after the defense stepped off the field, Sammy Watkins stood wide open down the right sideline and hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass from Boyd giving the Tigers a 24-10 lead.

Running back Andre Ellington busted through Virginia Tech defenders for a 29-yard touchdown scurry for a 38-10 lead to begin the fourth quarter.

Hokie fans began their mass exodus after Clemson’s next possession ended with a Boyd plunge into the end zone for the final score of the night.

All of the talk has surrounded the Clemson offense, but give credit to the defense which held Virginia Tech’s ACC player of the year tailback David Wilson to just 32 yards and forced three turnovers.

Swinney said that when his team is firing on all cylinders, nobody can beat them.

“There have been a lot of walls built up around this program over the last 20 years and we knocked them down tonight,” Swinney said. “We’ve been down in the valley and the players locked arms and they charged up that hill. Our team, I could sense the confidence growing. I told them if you just put it together on offense, defense, and special teams, it won’t be close, I don’t care who we play.”

Now, it’s coach Swinney’s turn to be mad at the fans for not believing and not being ‘All In.’

“I got this job three years and two days ago and I’ve put every bit of everything I have into it to try to do this for Clemson and these player and these coaches have worked hard,” Swinney said. “When you accomplish a goal it’s a great thing, but we’re not done yet. We’ve still got a long way to go to build this program into what we want it to be. You don’t quit. There are so many quitters out there. All of those people that quit on us, they don’t deserve this. This is for the players, and the coaches, and for all of those people that were ‘All In’ all the freaking time.”

Post written by Clemson Girl sports blogger, Nikki Steele.

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Clemson ACC Champs!

What a game... congrats to the Tigers! Well deserved and a great early Christmas gift for the Clemson family.

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Clemson vs. Virginia Tech -- ACC Championship game prediction

Clemson players, coaches, and fans needed a spark heading into the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, NC.

What they got was a firestorm from Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

In Dabo Swinney’s Thursday post-practice media session, he took the state by storm calling out South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier after Spurrier reportedly said, “We ain’t Alabama, we ain’t LSU, and we definitely aren’t Clemson” after the Gamecocks victory over the Tigers nearly a week ago.

Swinney’s response to Spurrier was simple.

“I guess I would have to say I agree with him,” Swinney said. “He is right. They are not Clemson and they aren’t ever going to be Clemson, to be honest with you…He is exactly right- they ain’t Alabama, they ain’t LSU and they certainly are not Clemson. That is why Carolina is in Chapel Hill, USC is in California, and the university in this state has been and always will be Clemson. It’s right here in Clemson, SC. You can print that. Tweet that.”

Those comments and a four minute video have Clemson fans, players, and the entire state of South Carolina up in arms.

Can that fire that has been found after 400,000 people viewed Swinney’s rant carry over onto the field for the Tigers has they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium?

Let’s take a look at how the teams matchup.

VIRGINIA TECH OFFENSE VS CLEMSON DEFENSE
The Virginia Tech offense is without a doubt better today than they were in week five - a long eight weeks ago. In early October, Logan Thomas had only started five games and was still trying to find his confidence and his niche in the Hokie’s offense. Now, he has completed 193 of his 319 passes for 2,525 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has also carried the ball 125 times for 414 yards and ten touchdowns. Combine his arm strength, his running ability and his 6-6, 254 pound frame and he is a true dual threat quarterback.

ACC offensive player of the year running back David Wilson lines up in the backfield with Thomas and if history is any indication he will have a big night against the Tigers as he rushed for over 120 yards in October. Virginia Tech will also have a healthy receiving corps this time around which will add another weapon to their arsenal.

The Clemson run defense has been non-existent the last part of the season especially after a second string quarterback and a fifth string running back gashed them last week for over 200 yards. If Clemson has any chance of winning tomorrow, the entire defense will have to play disciplined. The defensive line will have to stay in their gaps and clog the running lanes. The linebackers will need to play their positions and not wait for runners to get to them and instead be aggressive and go after the ball carrier. And, the secondary will need to remain disciplined and remember that Thomas is not afraid to throw the ball. ADVANTAGE - VIRGINIA TECH

CLEMSON OFFENSE VS VIRGINIA TECH DEFENSE
The once potent, high-powered Tiger offense has slipped dramatically in recent weeks. Some is due to injuries, but the majority is due to an apparent loss of confidence by quarterback Tajh Boyd. This game for the Clemson offense begins and ends with the offensive line and Boyd. Hopefully, Phillip Price will be back at left tackle to ease some of the pressure on the Clemson quarterback. Boyd must find his mojo again and that ice water in his veins in order to have the confidence to step up in the pocket and make the throws to his ultra-talented wide receivers.

Sammy Watkins should be back in action and getting a little closer to 100% which will give Boyd another reliable target. Another must for the offense is finding a way to run the football. When Andre Ellington was given the opportunity last week, he appeared fresh and healthy. The run doesn’t always work, but offensive coordinator Chad Morris needs to stick with it if not for the fact that it might open up some big plays later in the game.

The Hokie defense is very good and again Clemson will face a very talented defensive line that is more than capable of stopping the run and putting a great deal of pressure on Boyd. The Clemson offensive line needs to come with meanness that we haven’t seen in quite some time and give Boyd the opportunity to make plays. ADVANTAGE- VIRGINIA TECH

SPECIAL TEAMS
Clemson special teams has been the lone consistency for the majority of the season. Kickoff specialist Spencer Benton continues to get better after coming back from a shoulder injury. Punter Dawson Zimmerman, when he is on, is a game changer. And Chandler Catanzaro has already won one game for the Tigers.

As for the Hokies, kicker Cody Journell is 13-of-16 after a somewhat shaky start. And, it is anyone’s guess who will start at punter for Virginia Tech. Clemson could really use another Sammy Watkins’ spark in the return game. Can he get it against a team that is always known for superb special teams play? ADVANTAGE- CLEMSON

WHAT WILL HAPPEN
Virginia Tech comes to Charlotte riding a seven game winning streak and all of the momentum and confidence in the world. Clemson, on the other hand, come in on the complete opposite end of the spectrum after two embarrassing losses to NC State and South Carolina (not Carolina, not USC, and not the main university in this state). All it takes is one play, one spark to get the Shock the World Tour back on schedule. Will Dabo Swinney’s attempt to rally the team and the fans be enough to ignite the Tigers to their first ACC Championship in 20 years?

FINAL SCORE: VIRGINIA TECH 28, CLEMSON 14

Post written by Clemson Girl Sports Blogger, Nikki Steele

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Opportunities gained and opportunities lost.

The Clemson Tigers heard all week how they had nothing to play for on Saturday and how NC State was playing for their season.

Turns out, the Tigers had everything to play for with Nos. two, four, and five in the BCS standings losing on Saturday. Clemson could have moved up to number three or four and considering they play a top-fifteen South Carolina this week and a top-five Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, they could have played their way into the national championship picture.

Too bad they played their way out with a 37-13 loss at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Clemson defense played the best first quarter of football they have played since week five against Virginia Tech and then the turnover bug bit the offense again giving the ball to the Pack on the 18-yard line after a Mike Bellamy fumble, the six-yard line after a Tajh Boyd fumble, and the 11-yard line after a 34-yard punt return.

When the defense has less than 20 yards to do its job, they probably aren’t going to be very successful, although defensive coordinator Kevin Steele wouldn’t use the short field as an excuse.

“That’s what they’re trained to do,” Steele said. “It’s like asking a Navy SEAL or a fireman who they keep themselves fired up to go in and fight a fire. It’s what we do. We don’t teach our guys anything but it doesn’t matter how you’re called upon, when you’re called upon or how it happened, our objective is to get out on the field and prevent them from crossing the goal line. If it’s a situation like that, at least force a kick. We didn’t do that.”

The offense didn’t have much success against the Pack as quarterback Tajh Boyd was scrambling for his life most of the night. With left tackle Phillip Price out with a knee injury, the Tigers were forced to fill some holes on the offensive line with less experienced guys.

And the result was six sacks on Boyd.

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris said that the lack of offensive production is completely his fault and he will do whatever it takes to get things corrected.

“It starts and ends with me as the offensive coordinator,” Morris said. “Right now, we’re not playing with the confidence level we had earlier in the year. The last three weeks, the inability to protect the football has been a glaring concern. It’s totally unacceptable. Whether it’s a lack of focus, I know it’s continued to be harped on in practice over and over, I promise. We’re not doing anything different in terms of how we’re teaching ball security. But right now it’s not working. You can’t win any football games like this. You will struggle to win ball games turning the ball over.”

As much as this loss stings for players and fans alike, the opportunities on the horizon are just as big.

Clemson has the opportunity to win ten games for the first time in 20 years.

The Tigers have the opportunity to prevent their arch-rival, the South Carolina Gamecocks from having their second ten win season in the program’s history.

Clemson still has an ACC Championship to play for and an opportunity to win the ACC for the first time since 1990.

Clemson has a chance to visit the Orange Bowl for the first time since 1981 and win a BCS bowl for the first time in school history.

And most importantly, the Clemson players and staff have the opportunity to prove to the nation and the national media that this is not the same old Clemson and that the Tigers can be relevant on the national stage.

Make no mistake, with three games left in the football season; there is EVERYTHING to play for.

Post written by Clemson Girl sports blogger, Nikki Steele.

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Can a football game really take 10 years off of your life? Clemson vs. Wake Forest game recap.

If it can, 75,000 Clemson fans in Death Valley and the thousands watching at home can expect a shortened life span after watching the Tigers thrilling 31-28 ACC division clinching win over Wake Forest Saturday.

After having a 14-7 half time lead, the Tigers allowed Wake Forest to score 21 unanswered points in the third quarter before getting things clicking on offense and defense. Deacons Michael Campanaro returned a 50-yard punt for a touchdown.

On the next Clemson possession, running back Andre Ellington fumbled the ball setting up a 19-yard touchdown run by Wake Forest’s Brandon Pendergrass giving the Deacs their first lead of the day at 21-14.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd was intercepted on the next possession and again it was Pendergrass with a 33-yard run stretching the Deacon’s lead to 28-14.

Boyd redeemed himself the next time the Tigers got the ball going 5-for-5, marching the Clemson offense 68-yards down the field on a drive that culminated with a seven-yard catch by Brandon Ford. The Tigers tied the game at 28-28 on Jaron Brown’s 10-yard touchdown catch with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

The Clemson defense seemingly struggled all day because of Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price’s quick, accurate throws, but they dug down deep and forced Wake Forest into a quick three-and-out. But Clemson’s ensuing possession ended with a 30-yard field goal miss by Chandler Catanzaro.


The Deacons again took over and after a quick first down, they had the ball at their own 38 yard line. The Clemson defense again bowed up, forcing Price into two incomplete passes and a huge sack caused by seniors Rennie Moore and Brandon Thompson.

The Clemson offense took over with less than a minute remaining. Tajh Boyd was on top of his game hitting Dwayne Allen on two passes for 33 yards. He then found Adam Humphries- who was playing for an injured Sammy Watkins- for an eight-yard pass down the sideline which set up Catanzaro’s heroics.

Catanzaro got his redemption for missing the earlier field goal by drilling the 43-yarder just as time expired.


This was a game of redemption.

Redemption for the offense. Redemption for the defense. Redemption for Catanzaro. Redemption for a team that finished 6-7 a year ago.

“Redemption- that’s been the story of the season,” Boyd said in his postgame interviews. “Nobody expected anything from us coming into the season and we wanted to accomplish this as a team. I’m very proud of the way the guys responded in the face of adversity. We’re still not done yet. It would be a great season if it ended now, but it’s not over. Hopefully, these next two games, the ACC Championship Game, and a BCS bowl, that’s what we want to accomplish. We just have to keep working and take it from there.”

Post written by Clemson Girl Sports Blogger, Nikki Steele

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11.12.11 - Clemson vs. Wake Forest gameday photos

I'll admit, I was convinced till about the fourth quarter that Clemson just might lose this game. Wake Forest was getting lucky calls and Clemson was making mistake after mistake after mistake.

But I should have known not to doubt my Tigers - they never gave up and despite being down two touchdowns and star player Sammy Watkins in the fourth quarter, they pulled together as a team and came back to win 31 to 28.

Clemson clinched an undefeated home season and won the Atlantic Division ACC title - we are now definitely playing in the ACC Championship game early next month.

Check out the photos from the game in the slideshow below, or view them all on our Flickr site. Special thanks to Clemson Girls Summer Priddy and Sara Coleman for taking gameday photos for us this weekend. They are awesome photos!

What a game... Go Tigers!



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