Clemson, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation representing the elite SEC conference, played mid-major school Troy on Saturday, and this play proves that no team should be exempt from making bonehead moments.
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Wayne Gallman, last year’s 1,500-yard rusher, ended with just 34 against Troy and was far from the punishing runner who carried the Tigers at times a season ago.
For the most part in the second half, each team’s defense kept the offenses in check. “I’ve never done that before”, McCloud said. “We built this team when we went Division I on having the mantra, ‘We will go anywhere and compete down to the very end.’ We did that today”.
Watson’s completion percentage could have been significantly better if not for the multitude of drops by Tigers wide receivers over the course of the game.
“Probably went to the well one too many times on that corner ball, and their guy made a heck of a play”, Elliott said.
“We’re way better than that”, Watson said.
That might be a good thing after a 30-24 win over Troy. As Kroll was being taken down, he pitched it back to Willis, who cut across the field and barely managed to score while being dragged down.
CLEMSON’S ROCK: The inspirational Clemson talisman, Howard’s Rock, turns 50 this season and will be honored by the program all year long. “We coach hand the ball to the ref, and when you do that you don’t have issues like that”. Ever since, Tigers have rubbed the rock before entering the field believing in the power and spirit of those who’ve gone before.
Then again, with an offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Deshaun Watson and featuring an assortment of talented skill players, there was a sense that Clemson didn’t need much defense anyway. As Troy defensive end Rashad Dillard beat Clemson left tackle Mitch Hyatt to bring pressure, Watson tried to connect with Deon Cain on a deep corner route and was picked off by Trojans safety Cedarius Rookard.
Troy head coach Neal Brown gestures on the sideline during the first half on an NCAA college football game against Clemson on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Clemson, S.C. When Swinney gained the fulltime job, he told Koenning he would not be retained and the defensive assistant resigned before the bowl game. After the game, though, Swinney said Boulware got his right ankle rolled up on and would be OK.
Cornerback Marcus Edmond started after being held out of last week’s game.
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The Trojans were the beneficiary of one lucky break, but Clemson had two others. The Tigers started 8-0 that season and won the ACC crown, starting a run of five straight seasons with 10-or-more victories.
