The Clemson football team finds itself in familiar territory against a lesser opponent, looking lackluster against a Kentucky team whose offense was one of the least prolific in the country during the 2023 season. Cade Klubnik, Phil Mafah, and the Tigers’ offense have shown flashes, but lapses on defense which have allowed big plays for Kentucky have plagued Clemson in the first 30 minutes. Here are five takeaways from the first half of action in Jacksonville:
Vanilla play calling
Offensively, it all starts with play calling. Once again, there is no creativity from the Tigers on that side of the ball. There has been very little misdirection or deep shots down the field, despite better play from the offensive line. There has been very little effort to get the ball to Tyler Brown and Antonio Williams in the passing game, with the two most dynamic receivers on the field for Clemson being non-existent in the first half. The Tigers, and the offensive coaches, need to dig into their bag of tricks in the second half. It is the last game of the season. Hold nothing back.
Better play on the offensive line
Despite the lack of urgency on offense, the offensive line has played well. Klubnik has only been sacked twice, once while the Tigers were attempting to score at the end of the half. Cade, for the most part, has had time to throw the ball. Meanwhile, the running game has shown flashes. Will Shipley has yet to get going, but Mafah has had a big first half, with several big runs including a long of 18 yards and the Tigers’ only touchdown on a one-yard dive. Perhaps if the blocking effort carries over into the second half, Clemson can pull ahead and pull away in this game.
Kentucky tempo
It has been talked about at length that Kentucky is one of the slowest, most methodical offenses in all of college football. The Wildcats threw that notion to the wind, coming out in a hurry-up set and have played with tempo for much of the first half. That has resulted in multiple big plays that have netted the Wildcats two touchdowns. Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary has been hounded and harassed often, but has also connected on some long passes, including a 58-yarder that set up a touchdown on the next play. With a Clemson offense that is stuck in neutral, the Tigers can ill-afford to give up anymore big plays in the second half.
Self-inflicted wounds
Clemson has themselves to blame for Kentucky’s halftime lead. The Wildcats have picked on the Tigers’ young secondary that is without opt-out Nate Wiggins and the injured Sheridan Jones. Leary is throwing the ball away from Aveion Terrell and Khalil Barners, instead going at Kylon Griffon on several occasions. Griffin has been burned several times and committed a pass interference to compound issues. Leary and the Wildcats are not good through the air. The secondary needs to tighten up.
Take advantage of the Kentucky secondary
Kentucky entered the game with statistically one of the worst secondaries in the country. It goes back to the vanilla play calling, but Clemson has done next to nothing to take advantage. The Tigers must start taking deep shots and throw in some slants across the middle and put some stress on the back end of the Wildcats’ defense. If Kentucky can defend a bevy of Clemson passes, then tip your hat. But at least put them in a position where they have to make a play.
