Another week, another win for the resurgent Clemson Tigers and junior running back Will Shipley. Clemson defeated number 20 ranked North Carolina 31-20 on senior day at Death Valley, and Shipley led the way with one of the best games of his career. The Tigers have been roaring, winning three in a row and with a tidal wave of momentum behind them going into the regular season finale next Saturday night against South Carolina. After re-watching the Tigers’ win against North Carolina, here are three things we learned.
Is Will Shipley saving his best for last?
If Saturday was indeed Will Shipley’s final home game as a Clemson Tiger, he certainly saved his best for last. Shipley has been a key cog in the Tigers’ offense for three seasons, but at times has been maligned for his inability to hold onto the football or for what some perceived as a negative attitude at times this year. Shipley, though, has been a competitor who never backs down from a challenge. If Saturday was the final time Tiger fans see Shipley in a solid orange jersey, he left a lasting impression. Shipley rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and caught two passes for 53 yards. His 179 all-purpose yards are among his best outputs as a Tiger. With two games, potentially, remaining in his Clemson career, Shipley’s involvement in the passing game will need to be even greater as once again the receiving core is decimated with injuries. It will be fun to see what he does on the field next week and in whatever bowl game Clemson finds itself in.
Nate Wiggins saves the day
Nate Wiggins had been putting together a banner season in the Clemson secondary before running afoul of what Coach Dabo Swinney calls accountability issues in recent weeks which saw Wiggins’ playing time dramatically decrease. On Saturday, not only was Wiggins fully back in the fold, but he undoubtedly saved the game for the Tigers and the projected first-round NFL draft pick probably earned himself a lot of money in the process. With the Tar Heels already leading 7-0, UNC standout running back Omarion Hampton found a crease on the right side and appeared to go untouched for a long touchdown run. Wiggins, however, chased Hampton down and had the wherewithal to try and strip the ball away inside the five. Not only did Wiggins get his hand on the ball, but he jarred it free and out of the end-zone for a touchback. It was one of three turnovers forced by the Tigers’ defense on the day, and with Clemson scoring to tie the game on their ensuing drive, that 14-point swing was a massive turning point in a game that appeared to be slipping away from Clemson. Wiggins would go on to put an exclamation point on the game by intercepting likely ACC Player of the Year Drake Maye with under three minutes to play, effectively ending any chance the Tar Heels had of a rally. It was an amazing day for a player who has made a living from overcoming adversity, and Swinney and the Tigers have Wiggins to thank, in large part, for another impressive victory.
Tiger’s defense loves a challenge
Drake Maye entered Saturday’s game leading the ACC in passing yards and touchdowns, and the presumptive player of the year looked the part early. But Clemson’s defense loves a challenge and took it personally when Maye and the Tar Heels got off to a hot start and an early lead. All that did was refocus the Tigers’ defense, who teed off on Maye and company the rest of the game. Clemson forced three turnovers, intercepted Maye, and sacked the North Carolina quarterback four times, and recorded five tackles for a loss. The Tar Heels’ offense operated under duress all afternoon, being held to just seven first-half points. Maye finished with just 209 yards passing on 16 completions measured against 36 attempts, both well under his season average. Wiggins, speaking to the media following the game, said that the Clemson defense takes it personally when facing elite quarterbacks and top-tier offenses and that mantra was on full display Saturday afternoon. For all the turmoil through the first eight games of the season, the Tigers have peaked at the right time and are playing some of their best football of the past three seasons. The defense is certainly a major part of that renaissance.
