October 14, 2005
Clemson ends streaks in Raleigh
The Clemson Tigers ended their 3-game losing streak while also ending their winless streak on ESPN on Thursday nights as they won 31-10 (Box Score) over the N.C. State Wolfpack in Raleigh. Freshman running back James Davis was the story of the game for the Tigers as he racked up 143 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half before leaving the game with a fractured wrist on the first play in the 3rd Quarter. N.C. State has now lost 6 times in a row at home to conference opponents.
Charlie Whitehurst was 22 of 31for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Curtis Baham and Bobby Williamson caught a touchdown pass apiece. Jay Davis was 15 of 31 for 133 yards for State and was benched late in the game in favor of Marcus Stone, who was 4 of 5 for 42 yards. The Wolfpack only gained 88 yards in the first half compared to 299 for the Tigers. State's one touchdown was on the ground and running back Darrell Blackman was also strong in the return game.
Clemson led 21-0 before State scored. The halftime score was 28-10 with just a Jad Dean field goal scored in the second half. The offensive output for Clemson was impacted by Davis' departure as he fell on his wrist early in the half. He was taken to the locker room and later to another facility for x-rays. Davis, with his wrist immobilized, later returned to the sideline where he was interviewed on ESPN and said that if they needed him he could've returned tonight but that he would probably be back for the Georgia Tech game (2 weeks.) He will be re-examined tomorrow according to one report.
Tommy Bowden is probably off the hot seat for a few weeks now but Chuck Amato is apparently back on it after a one-week respite following the Georgia Tech game.
The Wolfpack are now 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the ACC. They play at Wake Forest next week. The Tigers are now 3-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play. They play Temple and Duke at home in their next two games. Clemson is expected to have several players serve their suspensions from last year's brawl during the Temple game.
Some other notes following the game:
Clemson has scored on all 23 trips inside the redzone this year with 13 touchdowns and 10 field goals.
Each team missed one field goal and Clemson had one punt blocked.
State's defense didn't get a single sack.
Whitehurst had some sort of minor toe or ankle injury and was walking with a limp at times and left the game once late.
One of the officials left the game early on with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He was untouched by anyone and apparently did it in his follow through as he threw a flag on State.
Others blogging:
CU Sporting News
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
wolfpack fb lover said:
posted on October 14, 2005 1:51 AM — 66.57.12.73 — link — abuse?1. Coach Amato needs to take over the Defensive Co-ordinator duties. Our great defensive line is average at best, probably at this point in the season below average; not because of the players...because of the scheme and a lack of innovation. No one fears Marion and Manny... our stunts are plain vanilla....replace the DC NOW.
2. No pressure to speak of was put on Whitehurst...boy did we pay. We have the players...new defensive co-ordinator is not creative nor does he make adjustments...Clemson ran great fakes in the first half...the same fakes were just as effective in the second half.
3. Offense continues to be ineffective. How does our offensive line coach for 3.5 quarters miss that our line is taking 6 inch splits and that the right guard is taking less than this...allowing Clemson to put our offensive squad in a tight box with little room to manuver on running plays and a quick route to the quarterback on passing plays.
4. Leroy Harris is our best lineman but is Not a natural center and it shows; move him back to guard, put the 2nd team center at first team. Move Leroy back to guard.
5. Tonight was embarissing...