Clemson Football: The Smoldering Ruin – Classy in Defeat Edition

In this edition of “The Smoldering Ruin,” we take a look back at the week that was Clemson football vs. Louisiana Tech. It was hard fought with the Tigers coming out on top, but the Bulldogs were absolutely classy in their defeat on Saturday.

We’re a fourth of the way through the season. The Tigers are 3-0;  they have scored as many points as they have in 3 games in roughly the same time frame as 2014-2020 and have given up about the same as well. But you wouldn’t know it based on how everyone has acted lately.

I say “everyone” but it’s really just a group of people on (insert Clemson media site’s) message boards who think they have all the answers but would run the program in the ground if they were left in charge. I know most of you out there aren’t that, so I’m going to write this for all of the levelheaded people that I know read this.

I, sadly, was unable to attended Saturday. I know I harped all week about getting people to go if you could. In my instances, I live about an hour away, have a toddler that is in true toddler mode, and another baby on the way, so I figured it would be wise for my personal life to not blow my 1-night game I get to go to this year on Louisiana Tech.

Everyone talked about the lights and the pageantry of the new and improved  run down the hill on Saturday night. I’ll tell you, even on TV the camera’s had a view of the lookout from Howard’s Rock with all the cell phones lit up, and it looked quite phenomenal in this viewer’s eyes.

The game itself has been a microcosm of the season thus far: vastly better than 2021, but still inconsistent.

I have to dial back criticisms on certain aspects of the game. Did the pass defense look leaky and maybe something to keep an eye on? Sure, absolutely. At the same time, you were missing 3 key DBs and thrust 3 freshmen into the spotlight against an offense you can’t take lightly. It was baptism by fire and at times the triumvirate of Lukas, Pride and Covil had 1st year mistakes that made them look lost. By the same token, there were times (while not perfect) they were able to hold their own, and in the process gain valuable reps. We can assume the likes of Sheridan Jones, Mukuba, and Wiggins will be back either this week or next, but don’t discount the experience gained by these freshmen.

It’s also always a misrepresentation of the defensive performance when you’re playing against an Air Raid offense. The Bulldog’s compiled well over 300 yards passing, but less than 15 yards rushing. Although, most people who run these offenses would prefer a little bit more balance, that’s what this offense is designed to do- short and intermediate passes to supplement for runs and then pop a few big plays. Was it perfect defense? Absolutely not, but the adjustments I saw being made were a plus and there is still room for this defense to grow.

Offensively, I can’t complain about the performance. DJ continues to get better, the run game was very strong in the 2nd half, wide receivers are making plays, and 2 freshmen wide receivers are new discoveries that brought flashes of what this offense used to be.

The problem this week, as it has been the last 2 weeks prior, is inconsistency. This time, I believe in the play calling; I get it. If a G5 team is going to run man coverage on Clemson’s WRs then it should be open season. And while the team had its moments, it didn’t properly seize the1st half momentum it should have by simply running the ball. Clemson averaged 7.2 yards a carry and Will Shipley averaged a whopping 10.8 YPC. He was averaging 11.6 in the 1st half when the offensive staff seemed hesitant to take that advantage.

That is the lone frustration. You have a running back that is reeling off runs and helping build confidence in an O-line that needs just that. From this point on, don’t second guess that part. If you can run the ball, run the stinkin’ ball.

Once the staff got out of their own way, it was open season. There were 3 scoring drives in a row, including a wide-open TD pass that Clemson hasn’t seen the likes of in a good while. Running the ball help set that up. Keep on with that and this team has a chance to make some sort of post season run.

Clemson football played a Louisiana Tech team that was pure class starting with Sonny Cumbie buying and wearing an “E11A Strong” shirt

One other thing that I just need to say, commit to putting the game away before making mass subs.

We all want to see Cade play. That is totally fine, but unless you are running him with the 1’s or have a package for him to come in for, at least score 40 points before you start making those types of personnel moves. This isn’t just a 2022 thing. It happened in 2015 with Kelly B and Schussler, it happened some with Chase Brice, and it happened in 2020 when trying to get DJ early playing time. I understand trying to play your guys, and it is awesome to know as a player that your coach does that, but make sure you are far enough ahead that you don’t have to put your starters back in.

Lastly, as I mentioned, Louisiana Tech was an absolute class act. 

From Sonny Cumbie just buying an “Ella Strong” shirt unbeknownst to anyone, to the fact that he wrote a letter directly to Bryan Bresee, to having his whole team write the Bresee family during this time of mourning. It wasn’t just simply a tip of the cap, it was being intentional and showing humanity past something more than a game. It’s something that will not get much media play nationally, but locally, Sonny Cumbie just built a small army of fans by simply taking an extra step to show he cares for more than just his athletes.

I’ll be willing to bet there are going to be more viewers for Tech games coming from the upstate of South Carolina for as long as coach Cumbie is in Ruston.

As it should be.

Onward to Wake.