Week 2 for Clemson football is upon us already. It feels like it was just yesterday, or four days ago that our Clemson Tigers graced the field for the opener against Georgia Tech. There are plenty of articles on Rubbing The Rock that you can view that have opinions of what we saw on Monday night.
Unlike some of our fans, I am excited for what this season holds. I saw a lot of promise for the latter three quarters. Equally as excited about the future, especially at the quarterback (Klubnik) and WR (Antonio Williams) position.
How good was that defense? Wow! I’m still wondering how Trenton Simpson came across the field to stop a swing pass for a loss when it looked like it would easily get five yards for the Jackets.
But as Dabo says, the most important game is the next one and this week the Furman Paladins invade Death Valley looking for an upset.
Here is your preview of the Fighting Paladins from up the street in Greenville.
Opponent: Furman Paladins (1-0) – 9/10 3:30 PM EST
Clemson, SC – Memorial Stadium
Head Coach Clay Hendrix enters his sixth season in Greenville (32-23 record). A Furman alumni, he has brought a lot of excitement to the program. After years of mediocrity, Furman has been one of the top programs in the Southern Conference, a very strong FCS conference. He’s made the FCS Playoffs in 2 of his 5 previous seasons and seem to have a roster good enough to compete for a SoCon title in year 6.
Offensive Coordinator Justin Roper in his first year with the ‘Dins after running a highly successful offense for FCS perennial power Holy Cross as well as a stint at Northern Iowa. Roper has a pedigree of developing high caliber FCS quarterbacks, and he has another one at Furman with Tyler Huff.
The Paladins won their opener this season 52-0 over North Greenville University and was ahead 45 – 0 at halftime. The offense was led by Grad Transfer (Presbyterian) Tyler Huff. The Graduate student went 10 for 12 passing for 189 yards and 2 TDs. He also was dangerous on the ground with 94 yards on only 5 attempts.
Here is a look at the projected starters on Offense. I would like to thank Furman for putting out a depth chart which helps in the research for Saturday afternoons tilt.
QB – Grad – Tyler Huff – 10-12 189yds; 2 TDs; 94 Rushing, 1 TD
RB – JR – Dominic Roberto – 9 carries 53 yards, 2 TDs
WR – JR – Wayne Anderson, Jr. – 4 catches, 35 yards, TD
WR – SO – Joshua Harris – 1 catch 5 yards
WR – SR – Luke Shiflett – 1 catch 64 yards
TE – SR – Ryan Miller – 4 catches 85 yards, TD
LT – SR – Anderson Tomlin
LG – JR – Jacob Johnanning
C – JR – Evan Jumper
RG – JR – Wyatt Hughes
RT – JR – Pearson Toomey
Tyler Huff is the engine that makes this offense go. Now, yes, it was only one game, but with the score out of reach before half, the numbers look a little light. But as with those out of hand games, Huff didn’t make it much past halftime. The dangerous signal caller can throw with a high rate of accuracy (83%), but can also use his legs to extend plays (long run of 56 yards). With the mobility of most of the quarterbacks in the ACC, Huff will be a nice one for the Clemson defense to play against.
Coordinator Roper tends to run out three wide receivers, one back, one tight end sets with lots of motions and different formations. Dominic Roberto will be the first guy out there at running back, but there is a steady rotation between him, Devin Abrams, Myion Hicks, Tyler Reed, just to name a few.
At the pass-catching positions, the stat leader from week 1 was tight end Ryan Miller. The 6’2” 221 lb. tight end is a nice target for Huff. He hauled in 4 passes, including a long of 33 against North Greenville. Luke Shiflett had a nice catch and run with his only catch a week ago (64 yards). Wayne Anderson Jr.,, Kyndel Dean, and Joshua Harris will all hear their name called against the Tigers.
The offensive line is led by unanimous All SoCon conference Left Tackle Anderson Tomlin. The senior has a real chance to play on Sundays in the coming years. At 6’5” 301 lbs, he will likely be matched up with Myles Murphy, and that will be a match-up to watch Saturday afternoon. Pearson Toomey received some pre-season All-SoCon accolades as well at RT. Evan Jumper, Wyatt Hughes and Jacob Johanning are the other starters.
Defensive Coordinator Duane Vaughn enters his 12th season in Greenville, and 4th as the leader of the defense. Vaughn’s defense pitched a shut-out in their only contest of the year. This week will likely be a different animal with Clemson being a jump in talent from their previous opponent, but it was a perfect start to the year for Furman.
Here is a look at the projected starters for the defense:
DE – SO – Jeremiah Jackson – 1 tackle
NG – SR – Cameron Coleman
DT – SR – Matt Sochovka
BAM – SO – Luke Clark
MLB – JR – Dan Scianna – 4 tackles, 1 QB hurry
WLB – JR – Bryce McCormick – 3 tackles
SPUR – RS FR – Amaah Achina – 4 tackles
FCB – SR – Travis Blackshear
SS – JR – Kam Brimson
FS – JR – Hugh Ryan – 3 tackles
BCB – SO – Micah Robinson – 2 tackles
The defense did not put up a lot of stats a week (plus) ago. The defensive line of Jackson, Coleman, Sochovka and Clark are all big-bodies that will try to force that much-maligned Clemson offensive line into mistakes leaving the linebackers and safeties available against the run.
Just four days ago Clemson football opened the 2022 season against Georgia Tech and now the Tigers face in-state opponent Furman in the home opener
Other names that we may hear on Saturday afternoon on defense are Safety Dae’one Wilkins, who led the team with 5 tackles. Bryce Stanfield and Alex Maier shared a sack against North Greenville. Cally Chizik, son of Gene Chizik, added an interception from his cornerback position as did Ivan Yates.
Here are the projected starters on Special Teams:
Punter – SO – Ryan Leahy – 47.3 yard avg. in Week 1
Kicker – SO – Ian Williams – 0-1 on the season
Kick Returner – Wayne Anderson Jr. – 27 yard avg.
Punt Returner – Cally Chizik* – 16 yard avg.
*Joshua Harris is listed on the depth chart at Punt Returner, however did not have a return in week 1.
Multiple FCS publications have Furman picked between 2nd and 4th in the pre-season conference projections. This team is veteran-laden and the coaching staff is good enough to compete for an FCS playoff birth.
However, this is a big step up in competition for the Paladins as they drive down 123 into Tiger Town. I like the Tigers here BIG!