Defensive mistakes lead to Clemson’s early exit from the CFP

AUSTIN – Clemson’s return to the College Football Playoff was short-lived.

Texas essentially let it run its course, rushing for 292 yards while picking up more than six yards per carry. The Longhorns had eight runs of 10 yards or more, one of which was a 77-yarder by Jaydon Blue in one of the game’s biggest moments when Clemson had gotten within a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The offense did its part and had more success against the Longhorns defense than anyone else all season. Cade Klubnik was undoubtedly the best quarterback on the field, and who knows what would have happened if he had just gotten a little help from his defensive colleagues.

You can argue that TJ Moore was also the best receiver on the field last night. The true freshman had his most productive day yet, surpassing the hundred-hundred mark for the first time in his young career. A bright future awaits this young wideout.

Ultimately, however, this was just another example of the defense failing to live up to its potential. Especially later on, as SMU scored 154 points against this defense. South Carolina had 267 rushing yards. Even The Citadel had great success overcoming the Tigers, rushing for over 300 yards.

Not all doom and gloom

As bad as the defense was last night, we also saw some things that have to make you feel good about next season. Apart from a few unexpected portal exits, of course.

Klubnik was really good and the quarterback showed he can deliver on the big stage. The Longhorns had allowed just four passing touchdowns all season and Klubnik had three against them. This passing attack has shown signs of strong growth over the course of the season. And Clemson was actually able to generate some rushing yards without Phil Mafah.

These two freshmen receivers have been exactly what you would expect, and if they can somehow get Antonio Williams to come back, the offense is in really good shape. There’s a lot that’s good about where this team is on that side of the ball right now.

Randall to RB?

Going into the week, I would have thought that the chances of Adam Randall ever seeing time at running back would be somewhere between slim and nil. However, that’s exactly what happened, as the wide receiver showed some flashes of potential on one side.

Dabo Swinney then said after the game that the Tigers wanted to move Randall to running back once spring ball begins. I’m a fan of this move as Randall was outpaced by these younger receivers. With Mafah looking to move on, there will be a lack of experience in that room and seeing if Randall can make an impact out of the backfield is one of those can’t-lose situations. If it works, great, you have some depth. If not, no damage will occur.

The next punter

Perhaps this is an area that needs to be addressed in the portal. Aidan Swanson just finished his career at Clemson, but the fact that despite some inconsistencies no one else got a chance speaks volumes.

Swanson had four punts on Saturday. His longest was just 41 yards and his other three were less than 40 yards long. Those are valuable yards lost in the battle for field position. And that has happened far too often this season.

Jack Smith is next in line, but again the fact that he never got a chance all season gives an idea of ​​how much the staff trusts him at this point.

The elephant in the room

Somehow, Clemson needs to be better on defense next season, especially against the run. Wes Goodwin is going to take a lot of heat from the outsiders, and we certainly deserve some of it. However, this defense has some serious issues and they could play deeper than whoever is calling the plays on that side of the ball.

The Tigers’ defensive front was pushed around by Texas. The linebackers just weren’t very good and the coverage on the back end was hit or miss. There were problems at all three levels and that was a common theme for most of the season.

Clemson ranks outside the top 50 in scoring defense and outside the top 60 in total defense, rush defense and pass defense. The most meaningful stat, however, is the 4.7 yards per carry allowed, which isn’t even in the top 100.

It’s a far cry from where this unit was two years ago, after Goodwin’s first season at the helm. The Tigers have gotten worse statistically in each of his three seasons.

With this year over, it’s time for Swinney to take a closer look at that side of the ball. Identify any problems and resolve them.

A limited number of signed replica street signs by Cade Klubnik are available! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or buy online!