The Clemson Tigers did exactly what they were supposed to Saturday afternoon when they blasted FCS-opponent Wofford to begin the ‘Championship Phase.’
The Clemson football team took control of the game and never looked back in a 59-14 rout of the Wofford Terriers Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers’ offense scored a touchdown on every single drive in the first half besides two and punted just one time in the first half. The defense shutout the Terriers and allowed them just 73 total yards of offense in the first half.
Here’s a look at the scoring plays, box score, stats and our analysis of Clemson’s blowout win over FCS-opponent Wofford Saturday in Death Valley during a special Military Appreciation Day.
Box Score:
Clemson Scoring Plays:
- Amari Rodgers 35 yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (13:00, 1st quarter)
- Lyn-J Dixon 19 yard rush (9:18, 1st quarter)
- Travis Etienne 47 yard rush (5:53, 1st quarter)
- Travis Etienne 86 yard rush (14:48, 2nd quarter)
- Tee Higgins 22 yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (8:02, 2nd quarter)
- Trevor Lawrence 2 yard rush (4:47, 2nd quarter)
- Justyn Ross 34 yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (10:48, 3rd quarter)
- Darien Rencher 3 yard rush (3:10, 3rd quarter)
- BT Potter 36-yard FG (5:07, 4th quarter)
Stats (Via ESPN):
Passing- Trevor Lawrence 12-of-16 for 218 yards, 3 TDs; Chase Brice 7-of-11 for 65 yards.
Rushing- Travis Etienne 9 carries, 212 yards, 2 TDs; Lyn-J Dixon 6 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD.
Receiving- Tee Higgins 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD; Amari Rodgers 2 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD; Justyn Ross 4 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD.
Clemson finished with 702 yards of total offense.
Analysis:
This is exactly what you wanted to see from a Clemson perspective. The Tiger starting offense was efficient and the defense was dominant through the first half.
Travis Etienne was dominant and broke a Clemson record for all-time rushing touchdowns, breaking James Davis’s previous record of 46 touchdowns.
There were a few disappointing areas- a Nolan Turner blown coverage for a TD; BT Potter missed FG; second-and-third string defense couldn’t keep Wofford from moving the ball, the second-string offense couldn’t get the job done (in terms of many scores); Vonta Bentley targeting- but overall this was a blowout and a great opportunity for the Clemson football coaching staff. There was plenty of good to outweigh any of the nitpicking.
The Tigers now have valuable film for many of the young guys and had a chance to develop more depth as a result.
It was good to see some of the young guys step up and make plays, particularly Jake Venables in that linebacker core. This game will be more valuable than any from the outside-looking in will understand.
Clemson will now focus its attention on NC State. The Tigers will travel down to Raleigh to take on the Wolfpack this coming Saturday with an opportunity to improve to 10-0 on the season.