Clemson special teams still inconsistent

By Bob Wilson  |   Wednesday, October 04, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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The Clemson Tigers are running on almost all cylinders. The offense has been great, scoring almost 44 points a game and churning out an average of 240 yards on the ground. The defense has played better than expected and is giving up only 13.4 points a game, despite missing key starters. However, the special teams are anything but consistent.

Last week, Jad Dean had yet another extra point blocked. After the Florida State debacle, the senior kicker seemed to have corrected his form and against North Carolina, all of his kicks were true. However, in the Louisiana Tech game, he had a kick blocked and his kickoffs were short. While the coverage team didn't do him any favors, Dean needs to start kicking the ball deeper.

Cole Chason only punted twice last week, and he got off a good effort. The senior last week averaged 51 yards, including a 54 yarder, and long hang-times on both kicks.

The punt return game also has some question marks. Both Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller have great speed and are a threat to break a big play at any moment, but first they must catch the ball. Both muffed punts against Louisiana Tech.

Special team errors have already cost the Tigers once. Had they been able to contain Boston College's kick returner, the game probably would not have reached overtime. These errors need to be fixed soon, at least before the Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech games.

The Hokies have traditionally feasted on the special teams errors of opponents, and no Clemson fan needs to be reminded how the Yellow Jackets took advantage of a poor snap to steal a win in Death Valley a few years ago. If the team is still making mistakes during these games, another loss could occur.

Clemson should be able to get by Wake Forest even with some sketchy special teams play, although it would be nice if the coaches could fix the problems in practice this week. The Demon Deacons are 5-0 for the first time since 1987, but they haven't exactly played a tough schedule. They have beaten Division I-AA Liberty, Syracuse, Duke, Connecticut and Mississippi, teams that are a combined 6-12.

However, it is unlikely the Tigers will take the Demon Deacons lightly. Tommy Bowden is one of only three Clemson coaches to have lost twice to Wake Forest (Ken Hatfield and Frank Howard are the other two) and doesn't want to lose a third time. Bowden should be somewhat concerned that the Deacons have already beaten a team (Duke) by blocking a field goal as time expired. Fortunately for Bowden, this game should be out of reach well before the fourth quarter. The Team did receive a bit of bad news though Tuesday when the top wide out, Chansi Stuckey, broke his foot and will probably be out three to five weeks. Look for the offense to rely on the run even more with Stuckey out.

A few facts that are in the Tigers' favor include the fact that Wake Forest has lost seven straight games against teams ranked in the Associated Press' Top 25, and hasn't beaten a ranked team since a 38-24 win over No. 14 North Carolina State on Sept. 6, 2003.

The Deacons lead the ACC in scoring defense, giving up a little over 10 points a game, but the Clemson running attack should be more than enough to at least triple that number this Saturday.

The Tigers will win big and put to rest the theory that Wake Forest has their number. The team will have the opportunity to play its way into the ACC Championship Game if the special teams can get it together.

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