Clemson Football: Uiagalelei grades well in game 2, tougher tests await
Clemson football quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei undoubtedly improved from Monday to Saturday last week.
You can see that in the numbers, but you could also see it with your eyes if you watched both games.
He moved better, made quicker and more confident decisions and generally placed the ball well in most instances.
It wasn’t all perfect, of course, playing quarterback rarely is, though revisionist history would likely tell you something different.
It’s easy to say, “Yeah, but that was Furman”, and I tend to agree with that assessment, but in this instance you can have it both ways – Uiagalelei played better and “Yeah, but that was Furman”. Bigger tests are ahead.
Still, if we’re going to point out the negatives we should also point out the positives and there were plenty per Pro Football Focus’ grading.
Uiagalelei’s passing grade of 90.1 included two big time throws and an adjusted completion percent of 85.2% when you factor in the 2 drops Clemson receivers were charged with.
For the season, Uiagalelei’s adjusted completion rate sits at 82.1% and he’s suffered 6 drops.
Uiagalelei was forced to scramble 4 times against Furman, while being pressured 8 times, which is not a comforting thought as the Tigers move to the more difficult part of their schedule next week.
Clemson football quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei’s play hasn’t been perfect, nor has it been a linear progression and the toughest games are still ahead on the schedule
There’s another little column that interests me and it’s something I’ve harped on repeatedly over the summer – not turning the ball over. Per pff.com, Uiagalelei has 0 turnover worthy plays through 2 games, albeit against not the greatest defenses in college football.
His play has been far from perfect or linear and the toughest games are still ahead on the schedule, so no grand conclusions can be made.
That said, as fans we ask for improvement and accountability and I think we’ve seen both of those through two games.
Another solid game this week would be optimal, because after that, there’s Wake Forest on the road and then the tough, physical defense of North Carolina State on the first of October.
Next. ACC Power Rankings after Week 3. dark
The cake walk is over after Saturday.