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Clemson Football: 5 Things that went wrong vs. UNC

By Andrew Boardwine

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nolan Turner #24, James Skalski #47 and Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers stop Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels short of the goal line on a two-point conversion in the final minute of the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nolan Turner #24, James Skalski #47 and Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers stop Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels short of the goal line on a two-point conversion in the final minute of the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nolan Turner #24, James Skalski #47 and Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers stop Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels short of the goal line on a two-point conversion in the final minute of the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nolan Turner #24, James Skalski #47 and Xavier Thomas #3 of the Clemson Tigers stop Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels short of the goal line on a two-point conversion in the final minute of the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 21-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. Defense couldn’t get off the field when it mattered

Despite bending in the rushing game, the defense played well for the most part.

After giving up the touchdown to start the game, they didn’t allow another UNC touchdown until the Etienne fumble.

The defense kept the Clemson football team in the game when the offense couldn’t get anything going in the second half. They pressured Sam Howell, came away with sacks and did an excellent job.

However, they couldn’t get off the field when it mattered.

With more than nine minutes remaining, the defense was tasked with getting one last stop. They had North Carolina in fourth down situations twice and allowed a freshman QB to make plays to extend the drive. Ultimately, North Carolina scored a touchdown and made it a one-point game.

You have to credit the defense for getting the stop on the two-point conversion, but you also have to realize that it wasn’t a great call from that Tar Heel offense. Had they just ran the ball up the middle, they likely would’ve had a great chance at converting.

Even so, the defense showed grit making the stop, but they never should’ve been in that situation to begin with.

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