Clemson Tigers

Clemson Football vs. Auburn: Offensive, Defensive Grades

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney cheers on his players against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Writer Ben Greeson puts the Clemson football match-up with Auburn to bed with his weekly wrap up.

All of the nerves and expectations are finally put to bed.

The first game of the season is over and done and Clemson has achieved their first goal of the season. Win the opener.

Today I’ll take a look at the final stats on offense and defense and an overall synopsis of the game before we turn our attention to this week’s opponent. The Trojans of Troy University.

Here are some grades for the Clemson football match-up against Auburn on Saturday.

Let’s take a look at some thoughts and analysis from the season opener as turn the page and begin to focus on the Trojans of Troy.

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSE

If you watched a lot of football this weekend it was evident that it was week one. There were a ton of lackluster offensive performances. Some were attributed to the opposing teams solid defense. Most can be attributed however, to just a lack of talent and poor coaching.

Clemson proved that it can and will move the ball on anybody. Many people were discrediting the Auburn defense, but other than FSU, Auburn has the best front seven that Clemson will face this season.

Wayne Gallman was the work horse for the Tigers Saturday night. Gallman averaged 4.1 yards per carry. He ended the night with 30 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown by the way, was a one yard plunge in the 2nd quarter.

There’s usually not much to be said about a one yard touchdown run, however this one was fun to watch. The reason; The Tigers lined up in their goal line ‘Jumbo’ formation. Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence were the lead blockers for Gallman.

He had 650 pounds to follow into the endzone, which he did, untouched, for his first touchdown of the season.

Watson, who seemed to never really find a rhythm in the game still had a decent outing. We’re just spoiled by the eye-popping numbers he usually provides. Sure there were some drops, but a 55.9% completion percentage is much lower than you ever expect out of DW4.

He’s a 70% completion guy, and I think there were a few factors that led to the lower than normal completion numbers. Firstly, the Auburn defense. Let’s give those guys some credit. They were legit at every level.

Their first time starters in the secondary, while having trouble covering Mike Williams, they blanketed everyone else. There wasn’t much running room for Watson either.

He only had 21 yards on 11 carries. 248 yards a touchdown and an interception are decent numbers for some, but you can bet your best pair of orange overalls that the competitive fire has been stirred inside DW4 and he’ll come out and perform better than ever from here on out.

I think the star of the night was unequivocally, Mike Williams. He looked like a man on a mission and was unstoppable for most of the game. The back-shoulder throws that he and Watson were connecting on, is near impossible to stop.

It takes timing and talent, and Williams and Watson have both. It’ll only get better as the season progresses.

It will be fun to watch future opponents try to scheme against Williams. It’s a pick your poison situation. Double team Williams and watch the plethora of other receivers have a field day. In his first action in 20+ months Williams had 9 catches for 174 yards.

I know it’s only game one, but here are a few thing I think the Tigers need to improve on to be the elite offense we all desire them to be. Clemson was only 6 for 17 in third down conversions. That number has to reach above 50%.

Also, the Tigers only rushed for 151 yards Saturday night. Last season saw the Tigers run for an average of 223 yards per game. There were some penalties in the game that can be attributed to the first game, on the road, nerves.

Those will be cleaned up, as well as the confusion at times in where to line up. Also, the Tigers must improve it’s tempo. “Dance with the one that brought ya.” The Tigers tempo was much slower than last season, and it needs to be much quicker. It’s just a built-in advantage that the Tigers need to utilize.

Overall Offensive Grade: B

Let’s see how much improvement they can make against a lesser opponent in Troy, and in their own stadium.

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) lays on the ground after being tackled by Clemson Tigers linebacker Dorian O

DEFENSE

To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be the understatement of the year. The talent that this coaching staff has recruited, on the defensive side of the ball is just short of amazing.

To hold a tricky, run heavy offense like Auburn to 87 total yards rushing is a testament to those players and coaches. Holding any D1 team to under 300 total yards (262) is a major accomplishment. The most impressive stat of the night in my opinion was that Auburn only went 3 for 17 in third down conversions. That’s huge for any defense, and getting off the field is a key to staying fresh.

Speaking of fresh. How about that big ole’ freshman Dexter Lawrence. They squeezed the big man into that number 90 jersey and turned him loose on the Auburn offense. Lawrence, in his first college game was the second leading tackler. He finished with 5 tackles, a sack and a pass deflection. That’s some big time production from a true freshman.

More from Rubbing the Rock

Christian Wilkins also looked very comfortable at the defensive end position. He rushed the passer well, he looked fast and in shape.

He came away with 4 tackles and a sack. The move from defensive tackle to defensive end shouldn’t be that easy. Especially for a 310 pounder. It’ll be a ridiculously talented combo at defensive end when Austin Bryant gets back to 100%.

My biggest surprise on the defensive side of the ball was how good Kendall Joseph looked. The Belton, SC native, in his first college start at middle linebacker was fast, and he was everywhere. He led the Tigers with 6 solo tackles.

He’ll only get better as the season moves forward. Ben Boulware played well, but made a mental mistake that extended an Auburn drive at a critical time in the game. He’ll learn from that and has nothing to prove on the field. He all know what Boulware is capable of.

Overall the Tiger defense, who was questioned all off-season, again, showed that they are an elite defense.

Defensive Grade: A

Holding any opponent to 13 points, in their own house is good enough for an A grade. The young talent will only get better, and this defense is very very young. They are tough against the run. The line backers are fast and physical and the secondary, while inexperienced, played in position to make plays most of the night. Good times are coming for the Tigers in 2016.

This article originally appeared on