Pre-Game:
Some simple, painful truths – Clemson under Bowden always shits the bed when it has an opportunity to take the “next step” – but with it’s collective back against the wall, they almost always win, and win easily. Naturally, we get version 2 of the Tiggers today.
Even worse, the temperature will approach 90 degrees as the game wears on. That means dehydration, cramping, and more playing time for 2nd (and even 3rd) string players. Giant advantage – Clemson.
My goals for Clemson game, repeated from last night’s thread:
1) Don’t get Wilson hurt.
2) Don’t get Irving hurt.
3) Don’t get Andre Brown hurt.
4) Don’t get shut out.
Accomplish those tasks and I’ll be as happy as the proverbial pig in shit. Live blogging will commence now.
First Half:
12:02 – Holy shit! We have HD coverage! I predict this is the happiest I will be all afternoon.
12:11 – Is there really only one Nate Irving on the field? He’s everywhere. One play, and it’s 6-0 Pack. Extra point is blocked, so he still might be the only State player to score today.
12:19 – Clemson moving at will. Not good.
12:21 – State catches break, as Harper misses wide open WR for six on first down. But State gets no pressure on Harper on 3rd and 8. A lot has been said about Clemson’s inexperienced OL, but they are acquitting themselves well so far. 7-6, Clemson.
12:27 – The first drop of the afternoon belongs to Andre Brown. But Wilson scrambles for a first on 3rd and long. Thank God he got out of bounds.
12:30 – Run, Russell, run!!!
12:32 – Time to punt. When Clemson blitzes, we are fucked.
12:33 – Punt goes 17 yards. It’s ankle-grabbing time for the Pack.
12:37 – Wow, Tiggers go 3 and out. This would be good news, except the ball is downed around the 4. A safety may be forthcoming.
12:41 – Wilson gets helmet knocked off. Shit. At least he got up. Time out, State.
12:45 – Underwood really playing well.
12:47 – Wilson’s pocket awareness is light year’s ahead of Beck and especially Evans. Offense isn’t threatening, but it is picking up first downs and giving the defense a breather. I am very pleased with the effort and execution so far.
12:56 – We sure do love jumping offsides today.
1:00 – Holding Clemson to 3 here would be huge. If we do it, there’s still a good chance that we can keep the score respectable.
1:03 – Mission accomplished. 10-6, Tiggers.
1:09 – Nice edge rush from Clemson, State punts, Tigger ball on their own 40. Gut check time.
1:11 – Fucking offsides AGAIN, Clemson gains 30 on the free play. Lack of discipline may open the floodgates.
1:14 – Yep, floodgates open. 2 play TD drive, 17-6 Clemson. The ass kicking is in full swing.
1:19 – Pre-planned series for Beck?
1:21 – Pierson shanks again.
1:24 – Just like after the last shank, defense holds. Maybe we will get to the half only down 11. Wilson returns.
1:27 – One can’t overstate just how shitty our OL is. Clemson almost throws another pick.
1:32 – Finally, we get a hit on Harper.
Halftime:
Everything went about as well as could reasonably be expected. In the morning Gameday thread, I predicted 34-10. Clemson is halfway there, State is 60% there. We’re certainly not going to win, and may not be able to keep our finger in the dike much longer (i.e., semi-respectable score). But I am satisfied – this is certainly a team that can beat Boston College, and maybe challenge the jackhole Pirates next week.
Second Half:
1:58 – Graham tries to do too much on kick returns.
2:05 – Big spearing penalty keeps Pack drive alive. Maybe Tammy should focus his guys on playing football, instead of killing our QB. Just some friendly advice.
2:11 – Bite me, Josh. This will completely deflate us.
2:13 – Why the fuck didn’t we pick up that fumble and run with it?
2:17 – Clemson continues to head hunt. Fucking assholes.
2:19 – If you had Curtis Crouch in a “first knee injury” pool, congratulations! Can our OL get any shittier? We are about to find out.
2:22 – Great 4th down throw. Thank God no field goal try.
2:29 – Inexplicably, we kick a FG on 4th and 1 from the 4. 8 point game after 3 quarters, but State has clearly blown its chances to be in position to win. Damn it all to fuck and back.
2:34 – Nate joins the fuck-up parade, drops sure pick. Tiggers get 3 for a 20-9 lead. The only remaining suspense is whether Clemson can get a backdoor cover in garbage time.
2:41 – Wilson has made great decisions all game long. In the second half, he’s made some really great throws as well. That’s the positive to take into next week.
2:44 – INT, but a chance Wilson had to take. And it works like a great punt, spotted at the 4.
2:47 – It must be hotter than hell – the officials aren’t calling anything. Missed a clear false start on Clemson and a late hit on us (same play).
3:08 – Wow, the last play of the game was exciting for gamblers, wasn’t it? Pack holds on for the 1/2 point cover!
Final Score: Clemson 27, NC State 9.
