Clemson back in the hunt for an ACC title

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Tuesday, September 19, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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After suffering a heartbreaking, double-overtime loss to Boston College in Week 2, it didn't take long for the Clemson Tigers to rebound and push their way back into the race for the ACC championship.

In the eighth annual Bowden Bowl, head coach Tommy Bowden took his Tigers to battle with his father Bobby's Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers emerged from the father-son rivalry with their third victory in the last four games with the 'Noles, which also earned them their first win in Tallahassee in nearly 20 years.

"We haven't done it in 17 years so I was real proud of our team and our coaches," said Tommy Bowden.

The Tigers' offense kicked off the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown run by Clemson tailback James Davis. The extra point was blocked, however, and FSU's Tony Carter returned the blocked kick for a safety.

Three drives later, the Tigers were within field goal range and opted to put some more points on the board. The field goal was blocked and returned by Carter yet again, except this time it was for a touchdown.

What made matters worse for the Tigers' kicking team is the fact that Clemson had lost to Boston College just a week earlier on a missed extra point. Florida State had just earned nine quick points from two consecutive botched kicking opportunities, and the Tigers were trailing 9-6.

The Tigers' offense struck again, however, as QB Will Proctor found the ACC's leading receiver, Chansi Stuckey, for a touchdown. The Tigers, after having the first two kick attempts blocked, opted to go for two, instead, and converted.

Although the Tigers went into halftime with a 14-9 lead, Tommy Bowden was furious at his special teams' play. In Boston, the Tigers allowed over 200 kick return yards - including one for a touchdown - and now the field goal unit wasn't getting the job done. Bowden was so frustrated that, when ESPN's Holly Rowe interviewed him prior to his exit from the field to the locker room, Clemson's head coach stated his kicking team would not see action for the remainder of the evening.

When the Tigers returned for the second half, it took them a mere two minutes and 46 seconds to score, yet again. As promised, the kicking team was left on the sidelines, and the Tigers failed to convert the two-point attempt.

After the 'Noles kicked a field goal late in the third quarter, and tied the game at 20 with a touchdown and a failed two-point conversion early in the fourth, the game turned into a deadlock.

Clemson's offense, which had rarely been stopped all night, couldn't seem to get anything started, and were forced to punt on four consecutive drives, none of which lasted longer than a minute and 50 seconds. After the Tigers' defense came through, as it had nearly all night long, Clemson's offense took over with just over two minutes to play.

In a seven-play, 85-yard drive, James Davis punched the ball into the end zone, giving the Tigers a 26-20 lead with only eight seconds left on the clock. With the immediate decision to go for two or attempt the extra point, Bowden reverted to his kicking game, which gave the Tigers a 27-20 lead and would ultimately become the final score.

Although Clemson had earned its first win in Tallahassee in 17 years and its third victory in the last four tries versus Bobby Bowden's Seminoles, the most important aspect did not have much to do with the rivalry.

With their win over the Seminoles, the Tigers have regained a position in the race for the ACC Atlantic Division crown. Although Clemson sits behind Boston College due to the Eagles' victory over the Tigers, the Eagles have a tough conference schedule ahead of them that includes Virginia Tech at home and both FSU and Miami on the road. The Seminoles, however, have a fairly easy conference schedule remaining, with a host game versus BC being the toughest matchup.

With such a potent offense that is averaging 38 points per game, as well as a tenacious defense that is quickly learning to overcome without three starters who were lost to injury, the Tigers are still a legitimate contender to win the Atlantic Division. With a home game versus Georgia Tech and a road trip to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech, however, the Tigers have no room for error if they plan on making the trip to Jacksonville.

If Boston College loses a conference game, and the Tigers can maintain a large offensive presence while running the table in their remaining ACC games, then Clemson can punch its way into the ACC Championship Game.

Get daily Clemson Tigers coverage at RealFootball365.com
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