Ghost of Bowden cost Clemson momentum against Seminoles

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, November 10, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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The Clemson Tigers will take chances like never before.

Interim coach Dabo Swinney has made that clear since taking over earlier this season for the departed Tommy Bowden, who served as their skipper for almost a decade. That's understandably refreshing to fans, who grew tired of Bowden’s ultraconservative attack.

Swinney also stated awhile back that a game is won or lost on four or five plays, essentially saying that you have to treat each down like it’s your last.

If that’s the case, one of those four or five plays could be pointed out as a possible momentum-shifter in Clemson's 41-27 loss to Florida State over the weekend.

Early in the third quarter, Clemson went for it on fourth-and-6 at the Florida State 38-yard line, and made it. The team lived up to its billing and took a chance, and it paid off. You know Bowden would have never done that.

Five plays later, Clemson found itself in another fourth-down situation, at the Seminoles 2, but with much less yardage to go and a score awaiting instead of a first down. This time, though, the Tigers kicked a field goal. Hey, Bowden would have been proud.

That very moment, it appeared the conservative offensive attack that plagued Clemson for years reared its ugly head once again. Going for it likely would’ve led to a touchdown, which would have only given this ransacked team and its coaches confidence. Even if it didn’t, at least the Tigers took a chance.

Obviously you can’t blame the entire game on one play. After all, FSU sacked quarterback Cullen Harper six times and the offense rushed for fewer than 80 yards; further, it could not convert third downs to save its life. However, given its earlier success on the drive, that Clemson didn’t go for the end zone from the 2 is baffling.

Swinney served under Bowden for a long time, so perhaps old habits die hard. But this habit may have cost the Tigers momentum, which helped aid in their demise Saturday.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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