Clemson is currently leading the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 13-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Palmetto Bowl has lived up to expectations so far, with the game turning into a defensive battle as of late when the two teams took off into the tunnels for halftime. Here are some takeaways from the first two-quarters of tonight’s matchup.
Early Start
A factor that is keeping South Carolina in this game is the amount of missed tackles that the Tigers are giving them.
On the Gamecock’s first touchdown drive, the touchdown by Luke Doty came from a missed tackle from Barrett Carter, who seemed to have slipped while Doty trotted in to tie the game at seven a piece.
Another came on a 3rd-and-10 for the Gamecocks when Rattler was able to scramble from a missed tackle from Peter Woods and another open tackle in the backfield to move the chains again for South Carolina.
Fans have seen this time and time again with missed tackles turning into huge plays for the opposition, and if Clemson is going to hold off their in-state rival, they have to get the first tackle and not the third or fourth.
On just the game’s second play, the Tigers took advantage of a hostile Williams-Brice Stadium and took charge of the game early. It was once again with the help of a stellar freshman, Khalil Barnes, who picked up a backward pass from Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler and took it to the house to put Clemson in front early.
A play later, Barnes made an outstretched play on a Rattler throw to pick him off a play later, giving Clemson the dream start. With Sandstorm, the Gamecocks’ entrance, and the loud environment, the freshman did an incredible job to drown out the noise and help the Tigers on defense.
Klubnik’s Comfortability With His Legs
I didn’t really see it until last week, but tonight’s first half presented the potential that the sophomore signal-caller has with his legs.
Garrett Riley and co. have been waiting for Klubnik to begin to extend plays with his legs for valuable yards, and they are beginning to see it, which is huge for the former 5-star dual threat commit.
Klubnik needs to move the ball through the air if Clemson wants to win this game, however. He only has 32 yards passing, completing 8 of 15 attempts. He is going to need to step up, which he has done this season in the second half, and extend the lead.
Field Goal Success???
This might be the first time I’ve seen Clemson hit a field goal from a long distance, and I’m surprised they decided to go for it.
Not only did kicker Jonathan Weitz get up confidently and hit 49 and 50-yard field goals, but it was in two rough spots that could have given South Carolina momentum with the ball in a favorable position. It shows the progression that the graduate transfer has made throughout the year, and how Dabo Swinney has felt more confident with him as the season has gone on.
Missed Tackles
A factor that is keeping South Carolina in this game is the amount of missed tackles that the Tigers are giving them.
On the Gamecock’s first touchdown drive, the touchdown by Luke Doty came from a missed tackle from Barrett Carter, who seemed to have slipped while Doty trotted in to tie the game at seven a piece.
Another came on a 3rd-and-10 for the Gamecocks when Rattler was able to scramble from a missed tackle from Peter Woods and another open tackle in the backfield to move the chains again for South Carolina.
Fans have seen this time and time again with missed tackles turning into huge plays for the opposition, and if Clemson is going to hold off their in-state rival, they have to get the first tackle and not the third or fourth.
