Clemson Football: Reviewing the 5 Keys to Beating the Oklahoma Sooners

Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs the ball as the Clemson Tigers beat the Oklahoma Sooners 40-6 in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Key #3: Contain the Oklahoma Sooners’ best weapons– Samaje Perine and Sterling Shepard

This key was a bit up-and-down for Clemson.

Clemson held Sterling Shepard to only one catch for 13 yards. However, the defense might have received an assist if Shepard’s groin injury was still nagging him. He may have suited up but that doesn’t necessarily mean he was anywhere close to 100%.

But, with that said, it may not have mattered if he was at full health. Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight was abused by the Tigers’ front-seven for the entire game. Even if Shepard had been wide open all day (he wasn’t), Knight still would have had a tough time getting the ball to him.

Samaje Perine, on the other hand, might have been the only Sooner who played pretty well.

With the rest of the offense being as ineffective as it was, Perine wasn’t able to make a major impact in the game, but he did pile up some yards. Perine averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry, finishing with 134 yards on 23 rushes.

The Tigers did keep Perine out of the end zone though so, ultimately, this key has to be considered a win for Clemson. Perine got his yards but he failed to change the scoreboard—and that’s all that really matters.

Next: Key #2