Give the rock to the running backs
Coming into the 2022 season, there was plenty of anxiety amongst Clemson fans about the passing game. The one thing everyone felt was a lock was that the running game would be the foundation upon which the Tiger offense would be built.
With a “three-headed monster” of Will Shipley, Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah, most expected the running backs to get plenty of touches.
Injury disrupted Pace’s season, but the other two were ready and willing to carry the ball, but they just didn’t get it nearly as often as expected.
Former offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter deferred to “taking what the defense gives you”. Since every opponent respected the running backs but didn’t respect the quarterback, Streeter tended to forget Shipley and Mafah were back there.
New offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has said he will play to Clemson’s strengths to dictate to their opponent, instead of letting the opponent dictate to them. Riley’s offense is remarkably balanced considering it is categorized as an Air Raid scheme.
Coach CJ Spiller described it like this:
"“Coach Riley, he’s gonna get the playmakers the ball. We’re not worried about if we’re not gonna run the ball. Trust me, I’m not losing any sleep about that. I just have to do a good job making sure I keep those guys healthy throughout the whole season to be successful.”"