CLEMSON 49, COASTAL CAROLINA 3

Before you read any of this, we’d like to share that the Clemson-FSU matchup has been tabbed for a 7:45 kickoff and will be televised on ESPN. The game will be Solid Orange day and the athletic department is making a big push for everyone to wear orange to make us look good on television. Keep this in mind while choosing your wardrobe on Saturday morning/late afternoon.

Now, on to Coastal.

The bad news, and perhaps the biggest take-away from this game, is that DaQuan Bowers suffered a sprained PCL and MCL in the game and is doubtful for FSU.  Malliciah Goodman did fill in nicely with six tackles (three solo, three assisted) with one quarterback knockdown.

On the brighter side of things, Jacoby Ford had a great all-around day with a 36 yard touchdown reception from Kyle Parker in the first quarter and threw his own TD pass to Xavier Dye later in the game. He joined CJ Spiller as the only Tigers to score touchdowns by rushing, receiving, passing, kick return, and punt return.

CJ Spiller was a minor factor in the game as the coaches opted to rest him rather than try to pad his stats and risk injury against a patsy. He rushed five times for 27 yards and a six yard touchdown.

Just about every running back in the cupboard got a touch and the top three walked away with touchdowns. Besides Spiller, Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper both cashed in with touchdown runs. On the whole, we racked up a total of 260 yards on the ground and averaged 6.8 yards a carry which is impressive, even against a push over team.

WILLY KORN, as expected, got a good amount of playing time and responded well going 5-6 with a touchdown and not throwing two interceptions like Parker did. Don’t forget he also ran one into the end zone himself.

DeAndre McDaniel was quiet but he’s still tied with Rahim Moore from UCLA for most interceptions in the nation.

We may have started out slow and taken Coastal lightly, but in the big picture we kind of needed that light load to refresh ourselves mentally and physically. Plus, we cruised while snoozing, so look at that bright side before you start chumming your anger sharks.

Given the whole picture, we couldn’t have had a better game against an opponent the week before the pivotal Florida State game. What we needed was a great tune up and too avoid injuries. Barring DaQuan’s knee injury we had a great game to prep us for the Seminoles.