After one half of play, the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers are locked in a fairly ugly battle with the Duke Blue Devils.
Garrett Riley’s offense has sputtered at times, especially the passing attack, as Clemson goes into the half nursing a one-point lead at 7-6.
Halftime Analysis
- Clemson averaged an unimpressive 4.3 yards per play in that first half.
- It took more than a quarter of play, but the Tigers finally punched one in with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. A recovered fumble by Wade Woodaz on a muffed punt set up the Tigers’ offense with the short field.
- Despite the new look offense, Clemson is still struggling to push the ball down the field. Cade Klubnik has thrown into coverage on multiple occasions and had a horrible interception in the game’s opening drive. One of the few times he stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike, Cole Turner dropped the pass.
- Klubnik is averaging just over six yards per completion.
- Will Shipley has been one of the few bright spots on the offensive side of the ball, rushing for 67 yards and averaging almost six yards per carry.
- Tristan Leigh and Colin Sadler have been splitting the reps at LT. Leigh surrendered the only sack of the half but it came on an excellent spin move by R.J. Oben.
- The Clemson defensive front isn’t generating a whole lot of pressure and the Tigers also have to be better about keeping Duke QB Riley Leonard contained. He has been able to escape out of the pocket multiple times in the first half and do some damage with his legs. One was on a big third down conversion.
- We have seen multiple breakdowns on the backend of the defense, reminiscent of some the issues that plagued the defense a season ago. Leonard has passed for 146 yards.
- Special teams was also an issue as Robert Gunn had a FG attempt blocked, as Banks Pope whiffled on a block.
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