NC STATE (1-2, 0-1) vs. No. 15/14 CLEMSON (3-0, 1-0)
DATE: Saturday, September 22, 2007
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EDT) at Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC (57,500)
RADIO: Wolfpack Sports Network. Airtime: 11:00 a.m. (EDT)
TELEVISION: Raycom/Lincoln Financial Sports (ACC Network)
OPPONENT—Undefeated after three games for the first time since 2000, the Tigers have one of the nation’s most efficient pass offenses, but the running game—Clemson’s bread and butter in ’06—has lagged behind. That could be an area of concern for the Tigers who dropped four of their final five games last season when opponents forced Clemson to throw by loading up against the run.
Redshirt junior quarterback Cullen Harper, a first-year starter who has shown good accuracy and game management skills, completed 16 of 19 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns last Saturday in a 38-10 win against Furman. The Paladins stacked the area near the line of scrimmage with sometimes as many as nine defenders which provided Harper with some open receivers.
Fourth nationally in pass efficiency, Harper has completed an impressive 72 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Harper’s favorite target is redshirt junior Aaron Kelly (6-5, 190) who has 14 catches (6 against Furman) including 3 for touchdowns. He has caught a touchdown pass in 4 straight games. Junior Tyler Grisham (10 catches) is a steady veteran while sophomore Jacoby Ford has used his blazing speed to convert 5 catches into 123 yards and 2 scores.
With Harper’s positive growth at quarterback, the need for a devastating ground attack wasn’t necessary in beating Florida State, Louisiana-Monroe and Furman, but that could change against N.C. State. The Wolfpack is No. 2 the ACC in pass defense, but has surrendered an average of 216 rushing yards in its first three games. That’s last in the league.
State will also be without two experienced defensive tackles. DeMario Pressley and John Bedics will both miss the game with injuries.
Clemson’s dangerous runningback tandem of powerful James Davis (5-11, 210) and speedster C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190) combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards last season. However, after three games in ’07, the pair stands at only 313 yards. Other than Davis' 56 rushing yards in nine carries, the Tigers' running game was unimpressive against Furman. Spiller netted minus-1 yard on nine attempts.
Coach Tommy Bowden has complained about a lack of toughness in an offensive line—a unit that was Clemson’s biggest question mark (in addition to the quarterback position) entering the season. Against Furman, the Tigers gave up five sacks, but Bowden said the line played with better intensity.
Left tackle Barry Richardson (6-7, 330, Sr.) is the anchor up front. The Outland and Lombardi Award candidate is a fourth-year starter, but nobody else comes close to his experience level.
Center Barry Humphries (6-3, 295, So.) and the entire right side of the line are all first-year starters who are trying to develop chemistry. However, there is some depth. Backup right guard, Brandon Pilgram, a redshirt senior, has played in three bowl games.
Even with a running attack that is not hitting on all cylinders, the Tigers rank No.2 in the ACC in scoring (37 ppg.) and total offense (391 ypg.) and are third in passing (265 ypg.). They also lead the league in touchdown passes (11).
Behind Harper is the most highly-decorated Clemson quarterback signee since Steve Fuller. Parade High School All-American Willy Korn has played in two games this season. The 6-2 freshman, who started school in January and went through spring practice, has completed 8-of-11 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown
Defensively, Clemson gave up 384 yards last week, but forced five turnovers and turned back three Furman scoring threats. The Paladins ran for 142 yards and completed 20 of their first 22 passes, but were picked off three times.
Like NC State, the Tigers would like to improve a run defense that’s surrendering nearly 176 yards an outing (No. 11 ACC). Overall, opponents are averaging 18 points (No.2 ACC) and 353 yards a game.
The strength of the defensive unit is in the front-seven. Tramaine Billie, a third-year starter who missed last season with an injury, is back at outside linebacker. On the other side is another third-year starter, senior Nick Watkins. His 32 tackles lead the team. In the middle, redshirt junior Courtney Vincent has moved up after two years as a reserve.
Up front, junior end Phillip Merling (6-5, 280) is difficult to block and is an All-ACC candidate. The third-year starter leads the Tigers in tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. Nose guard, Dorrell Scott (6-4, 320), is also very talented and experienced. He had 4 stops in last year’s win over NC State.
The safeties, Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin are solid veterans. The pair has combined for two of Clemson’s three interceptions this season. Hamlin is a third-year starter who is one of the best in the ACC.
Experienced reserves from ’06 have stepped up to fill starting roles at cornerback. Sophomores Crezdon Butler (6-0, 185) an All-ACC Freshman selection in ‘06 and Chris Chancellor (5-10, 170) won the starting jobs in preseason practice.
In Ford and Spiller, the Tigers have a very dangerous return duo. Ford was the only player in Division-1 to return a kickoff and a punt at least 90-yards for a touchdown in ’06. He was also the ACC indoor track champion in the 60-meters. Spiller, who has a 31-yard kickoff return average this season, was All-ACC in both football and track a year ago.
Redshirt junior Mark Buchholz continues to make it tough on opponents to establish field position. His kickoffs have been returned for an average of only 19 yards. The average starting position for Clemson opponents has been the 21-yard line. Buchholz has also converted both his field goal attempts, but nothing longer than 31-yards.
First-year starter, Jimmy Manners, has punted 15 times for a 41 yard average—good for seventh in the ACC.
Clemson has won its last three games against NC State, including a 31-10 victory in Raleigh in 2005.
NOTES: State is 11th in the nation this week in pass defense (126 ypg.)...Eight of the last 10 State-Clemson games have been decided by 8-points or less, including two of the last three...In the Pack’s last win over Clemson in 2003, Philip Rivers led the Pack. Clemson’s QB that night was Charlie Whitehurst who now backs up Rivers in San Diego...Clemson rushed for 223 yards in last year’s 20-14 win over State...Darrell Blackman leads the ACC in all-purpose yards, averaging 173 a game. He’s also sixth in the league in receiving yards/game (82)...The Wolfpack is rushing for 119 yards a game (8th in ACC)...State is No. 5 in the ACC in total offense (365) and fourth in pass offense (245)...Harrison Beck will make his third college start Saturday at quarterback for the Wolfpack. The Nebraska transfer is 1-1 as a starter... For the last 26 years the Clemson-NC State game has been called the “Textile Bowl” to salute that industry and the renowned textile colleges at both schools. Clemson leads the bowl series 17-9...State owns the ACC’s best third-down defense this season (11-of-50) at 22 percent... The Wolfpack’s last overtime game was a 27-21 win at home over Wake Forest in 2004...State is 6-4 in overtime games...NC State has scored in 142 consecutive games, the fourth-longest streak in ACC history...Senior linebacker Ernest Jones leads the Pack in tackles, averaging 11.3 stops a game...Wolfpack defensive tackle Ted Larsen has 4 quarterback pressures in 3 games—a team best...Clemson’s Nick Watkins is tied for the ACC lead in fumble recoveries with three... Players from the 1957 and 1967 Wolfpack teams will be honored during Saturday’s game. The ’57 squad won the ACC Championship while the ’67 team finished second.
INJURIES--NC State: DT DeMario Pressley (knee)-out; DT John Bedics (ankle)-out; RB Toney Baker (knee--out for season; TE Anthony Hill (knee)-out for season; FB John Kane (concussion)-out for season; TE Rashad Phillips (rehab from auto accident)-out for season. Clemson: MLB Cortney Vincent (lower leg)-probable; MLB Antonio Clay (lower leg)-probable.
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Courtesy: Peyton Williams/NC State
