Clemson win creates questions in Winston-Salem

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Tuesday, October 10, 2006  |  Comments( 6 )

Clemson Tigers
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Although the Clemson Tigers fashioned a 24-point fourth-quarter comeback victory over Wake Forest last weekend, the win generated many questions and proved costly for head coach Tommy Bowden's squad.

The Tigers, who had dropped their last two games in Winston-Salem in 2003 and 2005, appeared as if they were going to lose their third game in four tries against the Demon Deacons. Not only were the Deacons playing outstanding defense, but Wake Forest entered the fourth quarter with a 17-3 lead on Bowden's Tigers.

Clemson's Gaines Adams, arguably the nation's best defensive end, single-handedly turned the game around for the Tigers, however.

In one fell swoop, Adams forced a fumble on a botched Deacon field goal and then returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. Just over seven minutes later, a 20-yard touchdown catch by Aaron Kelly and a game-winning 72-yard rushing touchdown by true freshman C.J. Spiller gave the Tigers the lead. A 23-yard field goal by Jad Dean with 1:12 left killed any chance of a Wake Forest comeback, and the had Tigers escaped a very close game for their fifth win of the season.

The Tigers' special teams, however, struggled yet again. The kickoff coverage, which has been abysmal all season long, allowed a 93-yard opening return by Wake Forest's Kevin Marion. Clemson punter Cole Chason, who has struggled throughout his entire career at the school, averaged only 34 yards per boot. Kicker Jad Dean, who has declined since last season, also appeared to struggle. Although he made all of his attempted kicks, two of Dean's three field goal attempts were wobbly and poorly kicked.

Along with the Tigers' trend of bad special teams play has been the number of injuries suffered to Clemson starters this season.

Entering their contest in Winston-Salem, the Tigers were without starting linebackers Tremaine Billie (ankle) and Anthony Waters (ACL), free safety Michael Hamlin (foot), and wide receiver Chansi Stuckey (foot).

Though Hamlin made a speedy return to the Tigers and played in the Wake Forest game, the Tigers lost yet another starter in wideout Rendrick Taylor, who suffered a broken arm while attempting to catch up to a bobbled pass.

Taylor and fellow sophomore WR Aaron Kelly were slated to share the starting position left by Stuckey's injury, but instead is likely out for the season.

The Tigers' come-from-behind victory over Wake Forest cannot go without praise, though. Senior leaders, such as Gaines Adams and much of the offensive line, stepped up when called upon, and younger players, such as C.J. Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, and LB Antonio Clay, played like seasoned veterans to keep the Tigers' ACC championship dreams alive.

Special teams play and injuries to the starters, however, do call Clemson's legitimacy into question.

Expectations are high for the Tigers now, but the depth of Bowden's squad is beginning to show as the season moves along. With the meat of the Tigers' schedule coming up in a home game versus Georgia Tech in two weeks and then an away trip to Virginia Tech only five days later, Clemson will need to play better than ever if the Tigers hope to make it to the ACC Championship Game.

If the Tigers can find a solution to their special teams woes and somehow prevent more injuries to key players at key positions, then Clemson should have no problem competing with the ACC's elite. If the poor special teams play persists and the Tigers continue losing starters to injuries, the Tigers will have a difficult time proving they are a legitimate ACC contender.

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