Charlottesville, VA
The Tigers came away with a big road win on Saturday, defeating UVA in a low scoring, hard fought battle 13-3. The Tiger D played lights-out, intercepting Cavs QB Mark Verica three times and sacking him twice. Michael Hamlin, Crezdon Butler and DeAndre' Mc Daniel each had a pick and Hamlin actually had a second INT that was nullified due to a penalty. Hamlin is now tied with former Tiger Justin Miller with 13 in his Clemson career. There were plenty of big plays on defense but my defensive game ball goes to Byron Maxwell. 7 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a forced fumble caused when he laid Virginia's FB Rashawn Jackson out like he had been run over by a Mack truck. Here is what Maxwell had to say: “I thought, ‘This is going to be a big hit,’ because I knew he didn’t see me coming and I knew I was going to get there right when the pass came in. Then, I just hit him, really hard.” Yes, he did and it was a highlight reel hit. There were so many great plays on defense. Rashaad Jackson and Kavelle Connor each had a sack and tackles for loss. Jarvis Jenkins and DaQuan Bowers also had tackles for loss and the overall intensity of the defense was awesome.
On the offensive side of the ball, the only touchdown of the day came on a trick play: C.J. Spiller lined up in the backfield; Grisham at receiver. Spiller took the pitch from Harper and ran right while Grisham headed straight up field and then broke into the right side of the end zone. The safety moved up to provide run support, leaving Grisham uncovered and Spiller lofted his first career TD pass to make it a 7-0 game. Buccholz kicked two field goals, one from 32 and another from 23 to continue his stellar year. His only miss was from a ridiculously long 58 yards. QB Cullen Harper went 18-28 for 139 yards and continues to look much better than he did earlier in the year. He did not throw a TD but neither did he throw an INT or make poor decisions. Jacoby Ford had a nice 19 yd. catch and run, Aaron Kelly padded his ACC reception record by 5 more and Spiller, Davis and Grisham caught passes for some decent gains as well. The offensive stats don't jump out at you but the important thing is the "W".
The offensive line held up well and although neither Davis nor Spiller's rushing stats are impressive, two things must be noted. First, James Davis took full advantage of the holes that were there and gained some tough, grinding yards, averaging 3.6 per carry. Late in the game, with Clemson facing a 3rd and 6 and holding a 7 point lead, Davis gained seven yards. Here is what JD had to say: “I told them to give me the ball and let me and the offensive line put this game on our backs and we will take it home". The entire VA defense was committed to stopping Spiller at all costs and did a good job, holding him to 31 yards on 14 carries but their strategy also resulted in the TD pass to Grisham. Second, coming into this game the Cavs were second in the ACC with 28 sacks, only one behind FSU. VA's LB Chris Sinton received a lot of press coming into the matchup and rightfully so since he racked up 11 sacks in his previous 10 games. I'm sure the Cavs D was salivating after watching Clemson give up 5 sacks to Duke the previous week but Sinton and the rest of the VA defense did not register a single sack in the game.
Overall, it was a great win for coach Dabo Swinney and the team. The Tigers are playing inspired football and have a chance to win their seventh game this Saturday against their state rival. With coach Swinney trying to lock up the head coaching position for 2009, a bowl game and bragging rights, a lot is riding on the game. Go Tigers!
The Tigers came away with a big road win on Saturday, defeating UVA in a low scoring, hard fought battle 13-3. The Tiger D played lights-out, intercepting Cavs QB Mark Verica three times and sacking him twice. Michael Hamlin, Crezdon Butler and DeAndre' Mc Daniel each had a pick and Hamlin actually had a second INT that was nullified due to a penalty. Hamlin is now tied with former Tiger Justin Miller with 13 in his Clemson career. There were plenty of big plays on defense but my defensive game ball goes to Byron Maxwell. 7 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a forced fumble caused when he laid Virginia's FB Rashawn Jackson out like he had been run over by a Mack truck. Here is what Maxwell had to say: “I thought, ‘This is going to be a big hit,’ because I knew he didn’t see me coming and I knew I was going to get there right when the pass came in. Then, I just hit him, really hard.” Yes, he did and it was a highlight reel hit. There were so many great plays on defense. Rashaad Jackson and Kavelle Connor each had a sack and tackles for loss. Jarvis Jenkins and DaQuan Bowers also had tackles for loss and the overall intensity of the defense was awesome.
On the offensive side of the ball, the only touchdown of the day came on a trick play: C.J. Spiller lined up in the backfield; Grisham at receiver. Spiller took the pitch from Harper and ran right while Grisham headed straight up field and then broke into the right side of the end zone. The safety moved up to provide run support, leaving Grisham uncovered and Spiller lofted his first career TD pass to make it a 7-0 game. Buccholz kicked two field goals, one from 32 and another from 23 to continue his stellar year. His only miss was from a ridiculously long 58 yards. QB Cullen Harper went 18-28 for 139 yards and continues to look much better than he did earlier in the year. He did not throw a TD but neither did he throw an INT or make poor decisions. Jacoby Ford had a nice 19 yd. catch and run, Aaron Kelly padded his ACC reception record by 5 more and Spiller, Davis and Grisham caught passes for some decent gains as well. The offensive stats don't jump out at you but the important thing is the "W".
The offensive line held up well and although neither Davis nor Spiller's rushing stats are impressive, two things must be noted. First, James Davis took full advantage of the holes that were there and gained some tough, grinding yards, averaging 3.6 per carry. Late in the game, with Clemson facing a 3rd and 6 and holding a 7 point lead, Davis gained seven yards. Here is what JD had to say: “I told them to give me the ball and let me and the offensive line put this game on our backs and we will take it home". The entire VA defense was committed to stopping Spiller at all costs and did a good job, holding him to 31 yards on 14 carries but their strategy also resulted in the TD pass to Grisham. Second, coming into this game the Cavs were second in the ACC with 28 sacks, only one behind FSU. VA's LB Chris Sinton received a lot of press coming into the matchup and rightfully so since he racked up 11 sacks in his previous 10 games. I'm sure the Cavs D was salivating after watching Clemson give up 5 sacks to Duke the previous week but Sinton and the rest of the VA defense did not register a single sack in the game.
Overall, it was a great win for coach Dabo Swinney and the team. The Tigers are playing inspired football and have a chance to win their seventh game this Saturday against their state rival. With coach Swinney trying to lock up the head coaching position for 2009, a bowl game and bragging rights, a lot is riding on the game. Go Tigers!
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