CLEMSON, S.C.: Garrett Riley sees what he needs most from the Clemson offense this spring — a number of gamers making huge performs.
The Tigers second-year offensive coordinator believes that can proceed into the common season after a yr of false begins, miscues and struggles the place the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions have been out of title rivalry by the top of October.
Clemson finishes spring observe Saturday with its annual Orange-and-White recreation. Riley and coach Dabo Swinney like what they’ve seen from their crew.
“The best positive we’ve had is a lot of guys, different people making big plays,” Riley mentioned. “Whether a first-down conversion, a long play, a touchdown, whatever it might be. Running backs, a couple of tight ends, receivers, quarterbacks making plays with their legs.
“We’re having some playmakers emerge and that’s what you’ve got to have,” he mentioned.
Clemson and Riley realized that the onerous method in 2023. The Tigers have been picked as favorites for one more ACC crown — that they had received seven of the earlier eight titles — and have been anticipated to return to the College Football Playoff.
Instead, issues surfaced shortly as Clemson’s offense turned the ball over twice contained in the opponents’ 20 because the ninth-ranked Tigers have been shocked at Duke 28-7.
Things didn’t get higher for some time. Quarterback Cade Klubnikfumbled the ball at midfield after a sack towards Florida State three weeks later because the Tigers misplaced the lead, missed a game-winning subject aim on the finish and fell in additional time 31-24.
After shedding at North Carolina State, Clemson was 4-4 and out of any championship chase.
Clemson averaged simply 29.8 factors a recreation final season, sixth within the ACC and the second time in three seasons it was held to fewer than 30 factors per contest after averaging greater than 33 factors a recreation from 2011 by means of 2020.
The Tigers averaged 402.7 yards a recreation, their second lowest complete in a 13-season stretch that noticed them surpass 500 yards a recreation seven occasions in that span.
The Tigers completed final season with a five-game win streak, together with victories over ranked opponents in Notre Dame and North Carolina, to move into the offseason with loads of confidence and many need to get again to their championship previous.
Klubnik went by means of his play, game-by-game, to totally perceive what went mistaken and methods to stop comparable errors this season.
Klubnik mentioned accidents value the Tigers, particularly at receiver, the place anticipated starters in Cole Turner and Antonio Williams each missed vital time. Freshman Tyler Brown led the crew with 52 catches for 531 yards.
Neither Turner nor Brown will play Saturday.
Clemson has added a pair of standout, first-year wideouts in Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore.
Wesco has made an impression on the Tigers.
“Sometimes you see guys, they got all the talent, man. They can run, they can jump, they can change direction. But their maturity doesn’t match the talent,” Swinney mentioned. “He’s very talented but he’s committed. It’s given him a chance to get the attention of everybody early. He’s done that.”
Clemson misplaced versatile runner Will Shipley to the NFL draft, however returns Phil Mafah, who led the Tigers with 965 yards and 13 touchdowns — 4 of them within the crew’s wild, 38-35 Gator Bowl victory over Kentucky.
Mafah is able to turn into Clemson’s featured runner. He additionally sees a gaggle behind him simply as hungry to perk up the crew’s working assault.
“They just want to gain the trust of the whole offense and show that we can do our job,” he mentioned.
Add wholesome, expert receivers and dedicated runners to Klubnik’s elevated maturity, and the end result could possibly be precisely what Clemson missed early on final season.
“Obviously, we’re not lowering the standard,” Klubnik mentioned. “Our goal is to go undefeated and I fully, fully believe that this is the team that can do that. I believe we’ve got every single piece that we need.”
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AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
