AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat we learned at FSU-Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry I’m running a little late today. After the Mother of all traffic jams in Clemson last night, your humble scribe did not get back to Atlanta until 4 a.m. But here are some things that are worth noting coming out of Clemson’s 24-18 victory over Florida State.
1. The FSU offense will be a work in progress: Jimbo Fisher, Florida State’s new offensive coordinator, was dumbfounded by what happened in the first half when the Seminoles were held to just 62 total yards and one first down-and that one came on a 22-yard scramble by QB Drew Weatherford on the first play of the game. “I don’t know that I’ve ever had a team respond that way in a first game,” Fisher said. “If I could have fixed it, I would.” Things were better in the second half as Florida State had 196 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
2. The FSU O-line will get better: New offensive line coach Rick Trickett, one of the best in the business, has made the Seminole offensive line leaner and quicker. It didn’t work in the first half, as Clemson’s defensive front manhandled them. But in the second half that conditioning paid off and the Seminoles were able to start opening some creases for running back Antone Smith. “Our guys have a lot to learn but nobody has outworked them,” Trickett said after the game. “We’ll be okay.”
3. Clemson has some serious weapons: Running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller you know. But throw in speedster Jacoby Ford and wide receiver Aaron Kelly and Clemson can attack in a lot of different ways. I know it’s early but Clemson looks like the fastest team in the ACC.
4. When will Davis throw the ball? Running back James Davis of Atlanta lined up in the shotgun formation on Clemson’s first possession. He ran nine yards. “The quarterback is not in my way and C.J. (Spiller) is in motion so the defense has to respect him,” Davis said. “There is usually going to be a lane.” Davis, like all backs, hopes he eventually gets a chance to throw the ball out of that formation, a la Darren McFadden of Arkansas. “Oh, I’m already talking to coach (Bowden) about that,” Davis said. He had 102 yards rushing on 18 carries.
5. Harper is the man: Clemson’s coaches have to be encouraged with the play of junior quarterback Cullen Harper of Alpharetta (Sequoyah). Harper managed the team, completing 14 of 24 passes for 160 yards and no interceptions. Highly touted freshman Willy Korn did not get on the field. Harper made one really tough throw for an 11-yard touchdown and Aaron Kelly turned a short completion into a 41-yard score. Unlike a year ago, when Clemson had a very inconsistent passing threat, Harper appears good enough to keep opposing defenses honest.
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Comments
By Old Dawg
September 4, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Fine column and right on point. Pardon me for saying so but, “Who cares?” It was FSU and Clemson! They will both find ways to self-destruct before the season is out!
By Ramble ON!
September 4, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
TONY still standing by your annual pick of FSU winning the ACC?
By Tony Barnhart
September 4, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
That pick (of Florida State) sure didn’t look good last night, did it?
Not ready to give up on Florida State just yet, but Clemson and Boston College look better after one game.
TB
By gt2nash
September 4, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
What I saw was the typical two-faced Clemson program…hot one moment, cold the next. Neither team looked promising at all, even Clemson with its “thunder and lighting.”
By GTlaxfan
September 4, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
gt2nash: “….neither team looked promising at all”? you’ve got to be kidding. One could say it was inconsistant between the halves, but that first half for Clemson was as dominant on defense and offense as any team could hope for.
By Seminole with bag over head!
September 4, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Sheesh- another year with no qb, is another year of disgust for FSU fans. It is a sad state of affairs for us when Clemson is faster and more aggresive then us. Kudos to Tommy and the team he has put together, but they need to get consistant, his flaw since taking over at Clemson.
By Gary
September 4, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
I thought in the first half it was deja-vous all over again. I had to look twice to make sure Rix wasn’t still the QB and Jeff Bowden wasn’t calling the plays. The second half showed a lot more promise. I still believe FSU will be in the chase this year along with Clemson and Tech. There are just too many great coaches on Bobby Bowden’s staff, and too much talent on the team for them to suffer through another mediocre season. Go Dawgs and Noles!
By jccnole
September 4, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Typical knee-jerk reactions coming from every direction. This or that is the third sign of the apocalypse for FSU. At least TB is tempered.
Yeah, FSU was probably over-estimated by the media (again). Yeah, Clemson kicked our butt the first half.
But coach Rick Trickett said it the best last night: “We played the worst half of football a team could possibly ever play and we still had a chance to win the game,” [FSU Offensive Line Coach Rick] Trickett said. So go chew on that for a second.
Oh yeah …Old Dawg, just remember, as long as Richt is your head coach, and whether you like to admit it or not, there’s Seminole blood running through your veins. Just you ask him … Otherwise, turn the page my man.
By Ed
September 4, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I know that all elite major programs go through up and down periods, but FSU’s fall is shocking considering that they still have the same head coach and defensive coordinator they had in the glory years. This is one Dawg who hopes Bowden can turn it around the way Paterno was able to at Penn State.
By RickNole
September 4, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
So we lost our first game with new coaches and new system, in a hostile 90,000 stadium against a worthy opponent.
The world is not ending. Its unfortunate that we didnt have a K-state or Marshall or West Kentucky to beat up on and proclaim we are the best team in the country.
We lost by 6 and for Gods sake can XL get some PT. Weatherford is awful, no 3rd year QB should be taking sacks at the end of the game.
By Spike
September 4, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Can’t blame this on Jeff Bowden this time. FSU payed a boatload of $$$ for Jimbo and didn’t get much for it last night. They could not tackle, could not run block an looked confused most of the game. If Clemson had not given them a safety with the high snap, they would never have had a chance. This is the cream of the ACC this year??
By REGGIE BALL
September 4, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
How gay are you? Why would you even think that anyone would care about the F$U/clemsuck game. Why are you not doing lessons learned from the UGA or TECH game.
By Tiger Time
September 4, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
To Reggie Ball:
think that anyone would care about the F$U/clemsuck game.
Are you still having nightmares from your visit to the Thunder and Lighting Show last year?I know it hurts. Come on. You played well against Notre Dame. Good Job! That doesn’t erase what we did to you last year, Don’t worry, we will take care of you soon enough. Have some patience!
P.S. try not to lose to Samford, UVA, or BC. Our strength of schedule could use the help.
By John
September 5, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
If all of you expected a couple new coaches to show up and FSU to instantly morph into an offensive juggernaut, then you need to evaluate yourselves moreso.
It will take time for these changes to take effect. How did Spurrier’s offense do at SC his first year? How did Charlie Weiss’ offense look on Saturday?
There were A LOT of blown assignments and that will probably continue for some time. FSU started 3 Freshman on the OL on Monday night. I’m betting in 2 years, that OL will be a wall.
By Bob
September 5, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Clemson runs a sideways junk offense…Harper made two plays all night long…the first TD pass which he may should have never thrown and the 18 yard run in the second half…anything else he did you,me, or a Michigan QB could have done…he failed to step up into the pocket,was ineffective when moving outside the pocker, and never looked for a second receiver…make a few plays and it’s a blowout but between sideways junk, one back offense in short yardage situations….hey guess who’s getting the ball and Harper not producing plays Clemson is hanging on for dear life