Clemson’s first-half performance against Duke was a mixed bag, but ultimately underwhelming for a game in which the Tigers are heavily favored. At the intermission Clemson is leading Duke 7-6, but it has been tough going for the offense and quarterback Cade Klubnik in Garrett Riley’s first game at the helm of the Tigers’ offense.
- Offensive stagnation: Clemson simply has not been able to sustain drives offensively. The Tigers’ lone score came on a short field following a muff from the Duke punt return team. Prior to that, the Blue Devils led 6-0 on the strength of two field goals. If Clemson is going to win this game, the Tigers will have to find a way to open the offense starting in the third quarter,
- Lack of a vertical passing game: All everyone heard since the hiring of Garrett Riley would be how open the offense would become, and Clemson would put an emphasis on stretching the field and getting the ball into the hands of playmakers on the perimeter and in the middle of the field. Klubnik and company have yet to take the top off the Duke defense, and most of the completed passes have been short and to the boundary. We will see if the Tigers try to go deep more in the third quarter.
- Catching some breaks: If it were not for two Duke fumbles, Clemson would be in pretty rough shape. The Blue Devils put together two solid drives on their first two possessions of the game, resulting in two field goals, but the Tigers’ defense has buckled down since them, holding Duke scoreless. Clemson has taken advantage of two costly Blue Devil fumbles, the first on a muffed punt which was cashed in on a Klubnik to Shipley two-yard touchdown pass. The second fumble came as Duke was driving inside the 30 to take the lead just before half, and was recovered by Andrew Mukuba to preserve the Tigers’ slim 7-6 lead at the half.
- Turn up the heat: The Clemson defense has yet to record a sack of Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, but the defensive line has brought enough pressure to force some errant throws on several occasions. The Tigers’ defense will need to continue putting the pressure on in the second half in hopes that the offense clicks in the final 30 minutes.
- A bit unexpected: Nobody expected Duke to simply lay down for Clemson, but after all of the hype surrounding Riley and the new look offense, seven first half points is underwhelming. Perhaps it is first game nerves or still adjusting to a new system in a real game, but either way, Clemson has to find a way to get it going. If Clemson would hold on and win this game, and the next two, but an offensive showing like we have seen in the first half would spell disaster against the likes of Florida State.
