Clemson Tigers

[TXHusker05]

Clemson finishes Powerhouse Season One 13-1 (9-1 in the ACC), winning both the ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl. It was an uncertain start to the season with a couple shaky offensive performances early on, but once the Tigers hit their groove they reeled off 10 straight victories to end the year.

The Tigers put up eye popping offensive numbers in the season, but their defense was outstanding despite the amount of yards given up. Clemson defenders received all but one individual award for defensive performance on the season. Clemson Tailback Zac Brooks finished 2nd in the Heisman balloting by just 4 points, the closest final Heisman tally in the history of the award. In addition to 5 major award winners, the Tigers had 9 First Team All-Americans.

Season One

13-1 (9-1)
ACC Champions
Orange Bowl Champions
#2 Final Ranking​

Award Winners

Bednarik
Jayron Kearse

Walker
Zac Brooks

Lombardi
Carlos Watkins

Best LB
BJ Goodson

Thorpe
Jayron Kearse​

​

​

All-Americans
​

First Team

QB: Deshaun Watson
HB: Zac Brooks
TE: Jordan Leggett
DT: DJ Reader
DT: Carlos Watkins
LB: BJ Goodson
LB: Ben Boulware
FS: Jayron Kearse
SS: Jadar Johnson

Freshman

WR: Deon Cain
OL: Mitch Hyatt
DT: Christian Wilkins
CB: Mark Fields
​

All-ACC
​

First Team

QB: Deshaun Watson
HB: Zac Brooks
TE: Jordan Leggett
OL: Ryan Norton
OL: Joe Gore
DT: DJ Reader
DT: Carlos Watkins
LB: BJ Goodson
LB: Ben Boulware
FS: Jayron Kearse
SS: Jadar Johnson
K: Ammon Lakip
P: Andy Teasdall

Second Team

WR: Charone Peake
OL: Mitch Hyatt
OL: Eric MacLain
OL: Tyrone Crowder
CB: Mackensie Alexander
​

Season 1 Team Statistics
​

Total Offense: 509 yards per game (66.1 plays per game)

Passing Offense: 246.7 yards per game (27.4 pass attempts per game)
Rushing Offense: 262.3 yards per game (38.7 rush attempts per game)
Points Per Game: 48.6
Passing Touchdowns: 35
Rushing Touchdowns: 54
First Downs: 327
3rd Down Conversions: 66% (77 of 116)
4th Down Conversions: 86% (13 of 15)
Red Zone Percentage: 89% (82 attempts, 67 TD, 6 FG)
Turnover Differential: +28
Takeaways: 38 (23 INT, 15 Fumbles)
Giveaways: 10 (6 INT, 4 Fumbles)
Blocking: 48 Pancakes, 20 Sacks Allowed
​

Season 1 Individual Statistics
​

Passing

Deshaun Watson (So QB) - 265 of 361 (73%) for 3363 yards; 34 TD, 5 INT
Nick Schuessler (Sr QB) - 10 of 22 (45%) for 91 yards; 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

Zac Brooks (Sr HB) - 216 rushes for 1506 yards (6.9 per carry); 22 TD
Wayne Gallman Jr (RSo HB) - 121 rushes for 942 yards (7.7 per carry); 12 TD
Deshaun Watson (So QB) - 120 rushes for 735 yards (6.1 per carry); 9 TD
Tyshon Dye (RSo HB) - 48 rushes for 316 yards (6.5 per carry); 5 TD
Nick Schuessler (Sr QB) - 8 rushes for 63 yards (7.8 per carry); 0 TD
Jay Jay McCullough (RJr TE) - 11 rushes for 39 yards (3.5 per carry); 1 TD
Mike Williams (Jr WR) - 11 rushes for 38 yards (3.4 per carry); 4 TD
CJ Fuller (RFr HB) - 4 rushes for 20 yards (5.0 per carry); 1 TD
Artavis Scott (So WR) - 1 rush for 3 yards (3.0 per carry); 0 TD
Charone Peake (RSr WR) - 1 rush for 1 yard (1.0 per carry); 0 TD

Receiving

Jordan Leggett (Jr TE) - 55 receptions for 779 yards (14.1 per reception); 7 TD
Mike Williams (Jr WR) - 46 receptions for 684 yards (14.8 per reception); 4 TD
Charone Peake (RSr WR) - 43 receptions for 616 yards (14.3 per reception); 9 TD
Artavis Scott (So WR) - 33 receptions for 277 yards (8.3 per reception); 2 TD
Deon Cain (Fr WR) - 26 receptions for 401 yards (15.4 per reception); 6 TD
Zac Brooks (Sr HB) - 25 receptions for 238 yards (9.5 per reception); 3 TD
Stanton Seckinger (RSr TE) - 24 receptions for 303 yards (12.6 per reception); 0 TD
Jay Jay McCullough (RJr TE) - 12 receptions for 94 yards (7.8 per reception); 2 TD
Wayne Gallman Jr (RSo HB) - 4 receptions for 26 yards (6.5 per reception); 0 TD
Trevion Thompson (RFr WR) - 3 receptions for 11 yards (3.6 per reception); 1 TD
Germone Hopper (RJr WR) - 3 receptions for 28 yards (9.3 per reception); 1 TD
Tyshon Dye (RSo HB) - 1 receptions for -3 yards (-3.0 per reception); 0 TD

Defensive Leaders

Tackles: Jayron Kearse (Jr FS), 81
Tackles For Loss: DJ Reader (Sr DT) and Carlos Watkins (Sr DT), 16
Sacks: Carlos Watkins (Sr DT), 12
Interceptions: BJ Goodson (RSr LB), 5
Pass Breakups: BJ Goodson (RSr LB), 10
Forced Fumbles: Jayron Kearse (Jr FS), 3
Fumbles Recovered: Jayron Kearse (Jr FS), 3

Kicking

Ammon Lakip (RSr K) - 12 of 13 FG, Long of 54; 91 of 92 PAT

Punting

Andy Teasdall (RSo P) - 16 punts for 699 yards (43.6 per punt), Long of 67

Kick Returns

Charone Peake (RSr WR) - 21 returns for 561 yards (26.7 per return); 0 TD, Long of 66

Punt Returns

Charone Peake (RSr WR) - 22 returns for 317 yards (14.4 per return); 1 TD, Long of 68 (TD)
​

New School Records
​

Rushing Yards (Season) - Zac Brooks, 1506 yards (1345)

Rushing Touchdowns (Season) - Zac Brooks, 22 TD (17)
​

 

[TXHusker05]

​

Clemson wins the ACC Championship for the second consecutive season, defeating the #3 Virginia Cavaliers 45-27 to secure a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. The game looked to be headed for a shootout early as Virginia scored just two plays into the game on a 67 yard touchdown run with Clemson answering just 4 plays later but instead Clemson went on a 24 point run scoring 17 points in the second quarter to lead 31-7 at halftime.

That lead extended to 38-0 less than a minute into the third quarter when Deshaun Watson ran over two defenders for a 49 yard touchdown run. UVA looked to make a game of it, scoring a touchdown less than a minute later and another a minute after that on an interception return for a touchdown but Clemson's offense regrouped and went the length of the field for a touchdown. UVA answered with another score, but they would not see the ball again as Clemson ran the final 4:42 off the clock, taking 3 knees at the 2 yard line to seal the win.

Clemson's offense was rolling all game long, running 64 plays for 542 yards in the game. The Tigers rushed 45 times for 354 yards and 6 TD and threw 13 of 19 for 188 yards. The Clemson offense converted 9 of 12 third downs and all 6 red zone visits, except for the final one when they took a knee. UVA's offense struggled mightily in the first half after scoring on a 67 yard TD run on the second play of the game. A second long run set them up in plus territory but two sacks took them right out and forced a punt. In total, UVA managed 313 yards, rushing 12 times for 105 yards and throwing 20 of 31 for 208 yards and 2 TD. UVA was just 2 of 7 on 3rd down, 1 of 2 on 4th down, 1 of 3 on 2 point conversions and had just one red zone visit. Clemson held the ball 18:27 of 28 minutes and each team had a turnover.

Deshaun Watson was fantastic once again, throwing 13 of 19 for 188 yards and rushing for 67 yards and 3 TD but the real story was Senior CJ Davidson. Davidson came on early after Wayne Gallman left injured AGAIN and Davidson ran 25 times for 209 yards and 3 TD, carrying the load for the Tigers on offense. Gallman did managed 66 yards on his 3 carries, but left following the third on the first drive of the game. Tight end Jordan Leggett caught 4 passes for 59 yards and slot receiver Deon Cain added 4 for 79. The Tiger OL had 10 pancake blocks. Clemson defensive line turned in another special performance, putting up 5 TFL and 2 sacks while the back 7 added an INT.

Clemson Head Coach Chip Kelly improves to 26-1 and will play for the BCS National Championship.​

 

[TXHusker05]

​

Clemson finishes Powerhouse Season Two 14-0 (10-0 in the ACC), winning both the ACC Championship and the National Championship. The youthful Tigers, starting just 6 Seniors, dominated the entire season running their offense at a record pace. Despite two new tailbacks and a mostly new offensive line for the Tigers, the offense improved in every statistical category from a year ago.

Defensively, the middle core of players including both DTs, both LBs and the FS dominated for the Tigers, cleaning up the major defensive awards and all five were named First Team All-Americans.

Clemson once more came in second place in the Heisman Trophy balloting, this time quarterback Deshaun Watson fell short but Watson was named first team All-American and the Davey O'Brien Award winner and led the Tigers to the National Championship. The Tigers as a team had 7 major award winners, including back to back Thorpe Award Winner Jayron Kearse and 9 First Team All-Americans.

Season Two

14-0 (10-0)
#1
BCS National Champions
ACC Champions​

Award Winners

Bednarik
Ben Boulware

O'Brien
Deshaun Watson

Lombardi
Scott Pagano

Best LB
Ben Boulware

Thorpe
Jayron Kearse
(Back to Back Winner)​

​

Groza
Carl Jones

Ray Guy
Andy Teasdall​

​

​

All-Americans
​

First Team

QB: Deshaun Watson
WR: Mike Williams
DT: Christian Wilkins
DT: Scott Pagano
LB: Dorian O'Daniel
LB: Ben Boulware (2x)
FS: Jayron Kearse (2x)
K: Carl Jones (FR)
P: Andy Teasdall
​

Second Team

OL: Eric Mac Lain

Freshman

FB: Vincent Wynn
OL: Jake Fruhmorgen
K: Carl Jones
KR/PR: Ray Ray McCloud III
​

All-ACC
​

First Team

QB: Deshaun Watson (2x)
WR: Mike Williams
OL: Mitch Hyatt
OL: Eric Mac Lain
OL: Jay Guillermo
OL: Tyrone Crowder
DT: Christian Wilkins
DT: Scott Pagano
LB: Dorian O'Daniel
LB: Ben Boulware (2x)
FS: Jayron Kearse (2x)
K: Carl Jones (FR)
P: Andy Teasdall (2x)

Second Team

WR: Deon Cain
TE: Jordan Leggett (2x)
DE: Albert Huggins​

KR/PR: Ray Ray McCloud III

​

Season 2 Team Statistics
​

Total Offense: 558 yards per game (73.8 plays per game)

Passing Offense: 276.6 yards per game (31.1 pass attempts per game)
Rushing Offense: 281.4 yards per game (42.7 pass attempts per game)
Points Per Game: 53.4
Passing Touchdowns: 38
Rushing Touchdowns: 55
First Downs: 357
3rd Down Conversions: 61% (99 of 162)
4th Down Conversions: 79% (19 of 24)
Red Zone Percentage: 84% (91 attempts, 67 TD, 10 FG)
Turnover Differential: +16
Takeaways: 35 (25 INT, 10 Fumbles)
Giveaways: 19 (14 INT, 5 Fumbles)
Blocking: 65 Pancakes, 18 Sacks Allowed
​

Season 2 Individual Statistics
​

Passing

Deshaun Watson (Jr QB) - 280 of 400 (70%) for 3643 yards; 35 TD, 12 INT
Zach Johnson (Fr QB) - 19 of 34 (55%) for 230 yards; 3 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

Wayne Gallman II (RJr HB) - 184 rushes for 1335 yards (7.2 per carry); 15 TD
CJ Davidson (RSr HB) - 120 rushes for 959 yards (7.9 per carry); 13 TD
Deshaun Watson (Jr QB) - 139 rushes for 753 yards (5.4 per carry); 12 TD
Zach Johnson (Fr QB) - 61 rushes for 349 yards (5.7 per carry); 8 TD
Vincent Wynn (Fr FB) - 41 rushes for 183 yards (4.4 per carry); 6 TD
Adam Choice (RSo HB) - 12 rushes for 12 yards (10.4 per carry); 0 TD
Mike Williams (Sr WR) - 14 rushes for 88 yards (6.2 per carry); 1 TD
Tyshon Dye (RJr HB) - 16 rushes for 80 yards (5.0 per carry); 0 TD
Ray Ray McCloud III (RFr WR) - 4 rushes for 45 yards (11.2 per carry); 0 TD
Deon Cain (So WR) - 4 rushes for 19 yards (4.7 per carry); 0 TD
Artavis Scott (Jr WR) - 1 rush for 7 yards (7.0 per carry); 1 TD

Receiving

Mike Williams (Sr WR) - 66 receptions for 1082 yards (16.3 per reception); 11 TD
Deon Cain (So WR) - 58 receptions for 754 yards (13.0 per reception); 6 TD
Jordan Leggett (Sr TE) - 45 receptions for 503 yards (11.1 per reception); 5 TD
Artavis Scott (Jr WR) - 40 receptions for 562 yards (14.0 per reception); 3 TD
Germone Hopper (RSr WR) - 23 receptions for 329 yards (14.3 per reception); 4 TD
Wayne Gallman II (RJr HB) - 20 receptions for 140 yards (7.0 per reception); 0 TD
CJ Davidson (RSr HB) - 15 receptions for 104 yards (6.9 per reception); 2 TD
Milan Richard (RSo TE) - 8 receptions for 131 yards (16.3 per reception); 1 TD
Garrett Williams (RFr TE) - 7 receptions for 108 yards (15.4 per reception); 1 TD
Vincent Wynn (Fr FB) - 4 receptions for 17 yards (4.2 per reception); 2 TD
Ray Ray McCloud III (RFr WR) - 4 receptions for 45 yards (11.2 per reception); 2 TD
Jay Jay McCullough (RSr TE) - 3 receptions for 21 yards (7.0 per reception); 0 TD
Trevion Thompson (RSo WR) - 3 receptions for 72 yards (24.0 per reception); 0 TD
Adam Choice (RSo HB) - 1 receptions for 2 yards (2.0 per reception); 1 TD

Defensive Leaders

Tackles: Dorian O'Daniel (RJr LB), 87
Tackles For Loss: Christian Wilkins (So DT), 23
Sacks: Christian Wilkins (So DT), 12
Interceptions: Ben Boulware (Sr LB), 8
Pass Breakups: Dorian O'Daniel (RJr LB), 10
Forced Fumbles: Dorian O'Daniel (RJr LB) and Jayron Kearse (Sr FS), 3
Fumbles Recovered: Scott Pagano (RJr DT), 2

Kicking

Carl Jones (Fr K) - 19 of 19 FG, Long of 55; 95 of 95 PAT

Punting

Andy Teasdall (RJr P) - 15 punts for 713 yards (47.5 per punt), Long of 70

Kick Returns

Ray Ray McCloud III (RFr WR) - 21 returns for 533 yards (25.3 per return); 0 TD, Long of 79

Punt Returns

Ray Ray McCloud III (RFr WR) - 31 returns for 437 yards (14.0 per return); 1 TD, Long of 65 (TD)
​

New School Records
​

Passing Touchdowns (Career) - Deshaun Watson, 69 (49) (Ongoing)
Interceptions (Season) - Ben Boulware, 8

​

Graduating Seniors
​

CJ Davidson, HB; Clemson, SC
Mike Williams, WR; Valencia Heights, SC
Germone Hopper, WR; Charlotte, NC
Jordan Leggett, TE; Niceville, FL
Jay Jay McCullough, TE; Fort Mill, SC
Eric Mac Lain, OL; Hope Mills, NC
Shaq Lawson, DE; Centerville, SC
TJ Burrell, LB; Goose Creek, SC
Ben Boulware, LB; Anderson, SC
Cordrea Tankersley, CB; Batesburg, SC
Jayron Kearse, FS; Fort Myers, FL
Jadar Johnson, SS; Orangeburg, SC

​

 

[TXHusker05]

Breaking News​

(Clemson, SC) - In a short press conference, Clemson Head Coach TXHusker has announced that he is stepping down in order to spend time away from football. Former Head Coach and current recruiting coordinator Dabo Swinney has been reinstated as Head Coach, effective immediately.

Taking questions after the announcement, Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said Coach TXHusker approached him on the team charter back from the National Championship and said he needed to step down for personal reasons. The team was informed in a meeting the following day and all current assistants will remain with the program.

The oft vilified TXHusker ends his two year Clemson career with a 27-1 record, 19-1 in the ACC, having won two ACC Championships, an Orange Bowl and a National Championship. Clemson did not finish lower than 2nd in the Coaches Poll over those two seasons. TXHusker's retirement comes on the highest possible note, much like his coaching hero Tom Osborne.

Over TXHusker's two seasons, the Tigers had 2 Heisman Finalists, 12 major award winners, 19 All-Americans, 35 All-Conference players and set numerous school records for offensive performance. The lightspeed hurry-up, no-huddle offense that Clemson installed early in Year 1 ran roughshod over the competition with some games getting so out of hand that Clemson's starters rarely played all four quarters.

It is unclear what the future holds for Coach TXHusker, who did announce he will remain close with the program.