For the second consecutive game, the Clemson Tigers put up big points against a lesser team. But that does not mean there aren’t aspects of the Tigers’ game that are not trending in the right direction. There have been some major improvements during the victories over Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic and cause for optimism leading up to Clemson’s biggest game of the year so far against the #4 ranked Florida State Seminoles in Death Valley. Here are five hot takes from things we learned during the win over FAU, good and bad.
Fast start
It has been said time and again that Clemson needed to have a fast start and show that they could establish themselves with some tempo early. We finally saw that against the Owls on Saturday. Nate Wiggins set the tone with an interception that he turned into a pick-six on the fourth play of the ballgame, and from there, Cade Klubnik lit the Florida Atlantic defense up and looked like the leader at quarterback that everyone knows he can be. The offense played fast in the first half, using the middle of the field, and were able to score at will. Sure, it was not against a defense that anyone would consider elite, but to see that Clemson could do it was a refreshing sight, and it looks as if the offense is trending in the right direction.
Not so special on special teams
What in the world is going on with the Tigers’ special teams? They have been anything but good through the first three games of the season. As much as fans want to see him succeed, Robert Gunn III has been a total disaster in the placekicker role. After missing two short field goals in the season opener, Gunn rebounded by making all of his kicks against Charleston Southern. Again, though, he regressed mightily against FAU, missing a point after kicking wide left off the upright, then badly hooking a chip shot 31-yard field goal. Things have not gone well for the former third-ranked kicker for his class, and it has reached a point that Coach Dabo Swinney has publicly said that Clemson could be looking to make a change at the position. Against the top-25 competition looming in the next month and a half, making those kicks could be crucial. At this point, the Tigers need to look at other options regardless of how bad you have to feel for Gunn.
Creating separation
Going back to the offense. Clemson receivers on Saturday were regularly gaining space between themselves and the FAU defense. Clemson fans have been waiting on that for over two seasons, and it was exciting to see open targets for Cade to throw to. Tyler Brown continues to show why he is one of the great steals of the 2023 recruiting class, as he caught two touchdown passes and recorded a 44-yard return on a punt. Brown is electric and quickly emerging as one of the Tigers’ best weapons with his speed. Adam Randall flashed, too, and Antonio Williams battled through an early injury to make some nice catches. Let’s see how they do against Florida State before we start saying WRU is back, but the signs are certainly encouraging.
Not again
The attrition Clemson has experienced at receiver has been talked about at great length for over two years. Myriad injuries have hampered the unit, and ultimately doomed the offense at times. Following the game on Saturday, Coach Swinney announced that starting receiver Cole Turner will miss the remainder of the season and will medically redshirt after tearing three abductor muscles in the win over the Owls. Tiger fans could not be blamed for thinking here we go again. Clemson needs playmakers at the wide receiver position and just lost one of the guys they were counting heavily on until 2024. This should open up the opportunity for Tyler Brown to be a full-time starter, and a healthy Troy Stellato should get more looks as well. That said, the Tigers cannot afford any more long-term injuries on offense.
What’s up with Shipley
Everyone saw it. Star running back Will Shipley was stopped short from inside the five-yard line twice and then engaged in a heated exchange with running backs coach C.J. Spiller. Swinney chalked it up to competitive juices flowing, but I suspect there is more than meets the eye. Shipley is still not getting the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield, and I am sure that is frustrating for Will, who figured to be one of the bellcows of the Clemson offense this season. If there is any kind of dissension that exists between the two, it needs to be worked out quickly. Shipley is needed and needs to play with a chip on his shoulder. Just not the kind of chip we saw on Saturday. Frustration manifests in different ways, but public outbursts on the sideline with your position coach are not a good look for the junior running back.
