Presbyterian @ Clemson preview
Memorial Stadium
The Clemson Tigers have never lost to a FCS team in 23 games, and
despite the specter of last week's major upsets - Jacksonville State's 49-48
double-overtime victory at Mississippi and North Dakota State's 6-3 win at
Kansas - the Tigers shouldn't be in any trouble this week when nearby
Presbyterian College visits Death Valley.
In only its fourth year as a Division I program, Presbyterian is riding a
15-game losing streak during which it has allowed an average of 40 points, a far
cry from the ranked FCS teams that knocked off opponents from major conferences
a week ago.
After opening its season with a 53-13 loss at Wake Forest, things won't get any
easier for the Blue Hose with a second consecutive road trip to face an ACC
opponent.
The Tigers (1-0) received 28 votes in this week's coaches poll after a 35-10
win against North Texas in which sophomore Andre Ellington and junior Jamie
Harper showed they should be a capable committee to replace ACC Player of the
Year C.J. Spiller.
Ellington rushed for 122 yards on 12 carries, including a 60-yard score on
Clemson's second offensive play, the first of his two touchdown runs, and
Harper had 102 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, and caught a touchdown
pass.
The duo will get another chance to shine against a Presbyterian defense that
surrendered 415 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to the Demon Deacons.
Clemson's passing game didn't get quite as much work as quarterback Kyle Parker
went 9-for-17 for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw an interception.
The Tigers' longest play of the game was Parker's 70-yard touchdown strike to
junior Brandon Clear.
Despite allowing only 10 points, the Tigers had their share of struggles on
defense, allowing 234 yards in the first half and 462 in the game. The defense
could get a needed boost from the return of starting linebacker Brandon Maye,
who missed the North Texas game while recovering from arthroscopic knee
surgery. Maye, who was third on the team with 103 tackles last season, is
improving, but is listed as questionable.
North Texas running back Lance Dunbar was particularly pesky for the Tigers,
rushing for 116 yards on 23 carries.
That's little consolation to Presbyterian, which managed only 70 yards on 34
carries last week. Trandon Dendy led the way with 49 yards on 16 carries.
The Blue Hose did have some success through the air, with three passers
combining for 292 yards. Unfortunately for Presbyterian, receiver Derrick
Overholt accounted for 83 yards and one of two passing touchdowns on a pair of
trick plays, and the Tigers will keep a close eye on similar plays this week.
Brandon Miley threw the other touchdown pass and went 18-of-34 for 165 yards
with an interception.
Michael Ruff was the team's top receiver, catching four passes for 122 yards,
including a 68-yard touchdown pass from Overholt.