Clemson Football: Player to Watch vs. Wake Forest

Last Saturday, center Gage Cervenka proved that Clemson football has some quality depth on the offensive line. 

When starting right tackle Tremayne Anchrum left the Syracuse game with an ankle injury, right guard Sean Pollard shifted out to replace him and Gage Cervenka stepped in at right guard.

Both Anchrum(ankle) and Pollard(foot) are listed as probable heading into today’s matchup with Wake Forest.

Just a week ago, Cervenka was on the field for 57 significant snaps in Saturday’s 27-23 win over Syracuse, a season and career high for him. Cervenka, listed as a center on the roster, filled in at both positions and helped the team gain 293 rushing yards.

While backup quarterback Chase Brice orchestrated the game-winning drive and Travis Etienne darted through holes, Cervenka blocked like a man possessed.

Offensive linemen put in the dirty work and usually go unnoticed but like other players, good plays are praised and a mistake can bring negative recognition. For Cervenka, he played well but his mistake could have made it a sad day in Death Valley.

On a crucial 4th and 1 play at the 2:50 mark of the fourth quarter, he was called for a false-start penalty and Travis Etienne’s first down run was nullified.

ESPN commentator Todd Blackledge saw the redshirt junior’s mistake before the referee’s announcement. “The right guard leaves early. Gage Cervenka, who’s a backup guard and center, he’s pulling, and he leaves early.” Blackledge said.

Fortunately, for Clemson and Cervenka, Brice was able to find receiver Tee Higgins 20 yards down the field to convert the 4th and 6. More importantly, that conversion probably kept the Tigers playoff hopes alive, and Cervenka sustained his stellar play.

On 2nd and 11 with less than 1:35 left in the game, running back Tavien Feaster picked up another first down with a rush to the Syracuse 5 yard line, and Blackledge called the reserve lineman’s name again, “What a great job by Gage Cervenka.”

Blackledge noted the blocking of Cervenka and so did someone else, very familiar with his athletic abilities.

“I kinda had my eyes on him, because I saw him go in pretty early.” said Timothy McMahon, Cervenka’s former head coach at Emerald High School. “I was proud of him. I thought he was very physical and very physical the whole game. On the last drive, I thought he had some very impactful blocks.”

"Looked Tired? He was tired."

McMahon wasn’t at the game but watched from home and later texted Cervenka. “I told him that I was very proud of him, thought he had a great game and that he needed to get his butt in shape,” McMahon added. “I know he hadn’t played that many snaps since he was there.”

Before Saturday, the Greenwood, SC native had participated in only 236 total snaps and for the entirety, of the game-winning 94-yard final drive, he stood with hands on hips between snaps. Frankly, he looked tired to me, and I told McMahon the same thing.

“Looked tired?” McMahon laughed. “He was tired.”

He had also seen that stance a few times from the former three-star defensive tackle and state wrestler champion at Emerald.

McMahon noticed Cervenka’s athletic abilities early too and felt he had the potential to be a Division I football player.

“He’s a rare athlete,” McMahon said, “I had the opportunity to coach Stephone Anthony in Wadesboro[NC] and some kids you look at and you say, that kid has DI written all over him. I saw that in Stephone,” he continued. “Gage’s the same way, but he’s just a different type athlete. He has the ability to bend and stretch that is unusual for a guy of his size and strength.”

Cervenka received eight scholarship offers and finished his wrestling career as a four-time heavyweight state champion with a final mat record of 199-1. His four state division titles are a state record.

Clemson was his dream school and once he got the offer in April of 2014, he knew he would become a Tiger.

Thus far, Cervenka hasn’t seen the field as often as he would like but after his play against the Orange and with Anchrum and Pollard nursing injuries, he could see more snaps against Wake Forest.

McMahon plans to watch the game and is optimistic about Cervenka’s future.

“He went through the move{from defensive tackle} and learning to play offensive lineman is one of the hardest places to learn on the field. It takes time. It’s taken him a little bit longer than expected.” McMahon said. “But he will get there. I was very impressed. The more Gage plays. The better he will get.”

Clemson faces Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. today in Winston Salem, N.C.