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Clemson Football Analysis: Orange Bowl Review.

By Tyreese Ingram

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers celebrates as they beat the Oklahoma Sooners of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers celebrates as they beat the Oklahoma Sooners of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma Sooners learned that you can’t talk your way to victory against the Clemson Tigers. After falling 37-17 in the Orange Bowl on New Years’ Eve, the Sooners have lost by a combined score of 77-23 to Clemson over the last two years. Clemson football is 14-0, #1 in the country, ACC champs, and Orange Bowl champions. The accolades continue to pile up for the Tigers and #2 Alabama stands in their way for an undefeated season and a national championship.

Here’s my review of the exciting victory in Miami that many Clemson Tigers fans attended.

Layla and Dustin Ewald at Sun Life Stadium witnessing a dominating Clemson performance over #4 Oklahoma.
Layla and Dustin Ewald at Sun Life Stadium witnessing a dominating Clemson performance over #4 Oklahoma. /

Offensive review. Early in the game, the Tigers moved the ball but settled for field goals on three of their four scoring drives in the first half. The passing game seemed to struggle a bit without freshman Deon Cain as a deep threat and the Oklahoma defense was limiting running back Wayne Gallman to minimal gains.

After running the ball well in the first half, quarterback Deshaun Watson started to find his passing rhythm and lead the team on three second half touchdown drives. The Wayne Train ran for over 100 yards in the second half alone and had two touchdowns to seal the deal.

Overall, the offense punted only twice and moved the ball at will against an improved Sooners’ defense. Offensive coordinators Tony Elliot and Jeff Scott made better red zone play calls in the second half and showed why their offense is able to put up points and yards on any defense. The offensive line was impressive again and receiver Hunter Renfrow stepped up in the absence of Cain. Renfrow caught a 35 yard touchdown pass and finished with 4 catches for 59 yards.

Player of the game. Wayne Gallman and Deshaun Watson carried the offense and they both deserve to be players of the game. Gallman finished with 150 yards and is now the single season(1482) record holder for Clemson after surpassing Raymond Priester’s 1,345 yards. Watson rushed for 145 yards and passed for 187. He became the third quarterback in FBS history to have over 3,500 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in a single season.

Layla Ewald(left), Jennifer Shore(middle), and friends celebrate the New Year in Miami after the Clemson defeats Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl.
Layla Ewald(left), Jennifer Shore(middle), and friends celebrate the New Year in Miami after the Clemson defeats Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. /

Defensive review. Fans had to be a little worried after watching running back Samaje Perine get a 17 yard gain and to see Oklahoma score on their first drive. The Clemson defense gave up 17 points and quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for 226 yards in the first half.

The second half was an entirely different story. The defense was dominate on all fronts and harassed Mayfield and kept the Sooners’ running game in check. Oklahoma finished the game with a season low 67 yards and finished with 311 yards passing. Keep in mind that Mayfield had 226 passing yards at the half, so he was only able to muster 85 more yards the whole second half.

Whatever adjustments defensive coordinator Brent Venables made at half time should be bottled up, because he managed to stymie one of the most potent offenses in college football. The players obviously bought into his plan and executed it to near perfection.

Player of the game. Defensive end Kevin Dodd had to play without his tag team partner Shaq Lawson who left the game with a leg injury. But Dodd didn’t let Shaq’s absence affect his performance. He finished the game with 4 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Dodd’s play was instrumental in containing Mayfield which was key coming into the game.

On January 11th, Clemson football will face #2 Alabama and try to win its’ second national championship. They will be an underdog again despite being number one and undefeated.

Just like the team, fans show up with confidence and love proving the naysayers wrong time and time again. Rain, doubt, 750 miles, nor floods have kept the fans from showing up to cheer on the best team in college football. The Sun Life Stadium was covered with orange, and there is no doubt that Glendale, Arizona will see more orange than they would see on a scary night in October.

Robert Grainger(right) and his friend Troy Chestnut at the Orange Bowl game to cheer on Clemson.
Robert Grainger(right) and his friend Troy Chestnut at the Orange Bowl game to cheer on Clemson. /

Layla and Dustin Ewald, Jennifer Shore, and Robert Grainger made the trip to Miami and all four of them will be in Glendale, Arizona. The Ewalds know that this is a special moment for the team, their alma mater, and the state; and they wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Shore has a chance to uphold her Tiger family legacy and do something that her Dad didn’t get to do-watch Clemson fight for a National Championship. He may have missed the 1981 game, but he will probably be in attendance on Monday with a big smile on his face.

Robert is new to Rubbing the Rock but not to the Clemson Tigers. He is a lifetime fan who feels that ESPN wants Alabama to win badly. In his opinion, a 14-0 team should have respect and shouldn’t have to keep earning it.

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