Clemson report card

OFFENSE

What in the world is there to say? Less than 200 yards of offense, and 21 rushing yards on 23 car­ries. If not for an interference call on Chip Vaughn and a circus catch by Jacoby Ford, the Tigers might well have been shut out. They’ve produced one touchdown and 310 yards of offense in their last six quarters. Not good.

Grade: F

DEFENSE

The defense was gashed often by gobs of forma­tions and misdirection by the Demon Deacons. But the Tigers kept this game from getting out of hand by making some key stops. Still, allowing Wake For­est to convert on third-and-24 from the Deacons’ 8-yard line is hard to stomach. It was the play of the game, and the Tigers blew it.

Grade: C

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Dawson Zimmerman took over for Jimmy Maners and sent his first try 54 yards to the 1-yard line. His other punts went for 36 yards or less, though. The longest of four kickoff returns was a 26-yarder by C.J. Spiller. The fake punt looked more like a bad call than bad execution.

Grade: B

COACHING

Offensive coordinator Rob Spence finally opened up his playbook in the second half, going with more play-action and drop-back passing. Where was it in the first half? The offense looked thoroughly unpre­pared for Wake Forest’s schemes. The play-calling on the final drive made it look like Clemson was down by 14 instead of five. Calling the timeout be­fore the stuffed fake punt was highly questionable. The defense showed impressive resolve but still didn’t look like it was ready for all the misdirection.

Grade: D-

OVERALL

The injuries hurt, sure, but they don’t come close to explaining how a team with this much talent can look this bad — mainly on offense. This team is coaching scared and playing scared, and it seems like opponents know it. So much for thinking the Tigers would respond well with their backs against the wall.

Grade: D

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