Stunned Tigers: 'How did this happen?'
MCT
Alabama kept Aaron Kelly and the rest of the Clemson offense in check for most of Saturday's game.
CLEMSON — Clemson receiver Tyler Grisham normally reserves time on Sundays to watch the previous game's film.
Not this week.
"I definitely didn't want to watch that on my day off," he said Monday.
Clemson's players could be excused for their aversion to a replay of the carnage that unfolded in Saturday night's 34-10 loss to Alabama in Atlanta. After spending an entire offseason hearing about how good they were, the No. 9 Tigers found out that things are harder on grass than on paper.
"We all should learn that preseason rankings don't matter at all," Grisham said. "We were ranked number 9 just because we had guys who came back, and I guess voters respected us. That ranking doesn't mean anything.
"We worked hard, and we felt like we'd prepared well. But obviously not. There's something that went wrong. There's something that we didn't do that we have to work at. … I guess we've got to set our standards a little higher."
The Tigers' standards were set as high as possible — first ACC title in 17 years, maybe even contention for a national title. The second goal seems quite a reach now. And even though Clemson's worst defeat in five years didn't affect the ACC race, the Tigers know they'll be at risk of losing out on a conference championship if some things don't improve.
Clemson's struggles on the offensive line largely contributed to a meager output of 188 yards, including zero yards rushing. Star tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller touched the ball 11 times on offense (eight carries, three receptions) and combined for 20 yards on the ground.
Said Davis: "This is one you look at and say, 'Man, how did this happen?'"
MCT
Tommy Bowden tries to convince an official of a pass interference call against Alabama by pointing to the replay on the big screen in Saturday's loss in Atlanta.
Apparently, it happened in part because Alabama's tactics surprised Clemson on both sides of the ball. The Tigers liked their offensive matchups because they thought frequent blitzes would create advantageous one-on-one situations. But Alabama coach Nick Saban largely stayed away from blitzing when it became apparent his four-man defensive front could wreak havoc by itself.
"We were expecting a lot of stunts and stuff and different formations, but they didn't really have to do that stuff," said junior center Thomas Austin. "It didn't come to that. … You spend a lot of time preparing and stuff, and you know they're going to throw wrinkles in there that you might not be able to pick up. And you might get sacked off a five-man rush or a six-man rush or something like that.
"But to get sacked off a four-man rush is just inexcusable. It's something we have to remedy."
On defense, safety Michael Hamlin said the Tigers were surprised by Alabama's straight-ahead running style. The Crimson Tide ran right at Clemson's defense and totaled 239 yards rushing on 50 carries.
Hamlin said the defensive linemen expected zone blocking but saw very little of it. He also said Alabama ran to the short side of the field more than anticipated.
"It kind of caught us off guard, but there's no excuses," he said.
There's also no shortage of Tigers in the training room after Saturday's game. Starting right guard Barry Humphries will have surgery to repair a knee injury suffered against Alabama and is expected to miss at least this week's home opener against The Citadel.
Starting "bandit" end Ricky Sapp suffered a bruised knee and is listed as questionable for Saturday. Receiver Jacoby Ford missed the second half after taking several big hits, and he's listed as probable. Backup wideout Terrence Ashe (sprained foot) is questionable.
"It makes us look bad," Hamlin said of the defeat, "but it's just something we've got to try and put behind us."
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/
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Comments
theronce (anonymous) says...
It's going to be a loooonnnnnggg couple of weeks. Beating the Citadel will not help. At least Carolina is fattening up for us at the end.
September 2, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pullmyfinger (anonymous) says...
Maybe they need a few more thugs on the team to play better right bigriver1??
September 2, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
embarrassing! bowden just can't get it done! never have and never will. maybe schedule a couple of tough games, citadel, stratsford, summerville and byrnes. maybe he can win 0ne of those games.
September 2, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TAR1 (anonymous) says...
Has anyone heard this one berfore" That QB and 2 running backs couldn't start for slippery rock U" The games get a little tougher when played on grassy fields.
September 2, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Marianne0558 (anonymous) says...
Ha-ha-ha-ha HAHA
So.... Carolina won, although they played like poo.
September 2, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
His leaving is probably out of the question this year, unless he chooses to leave which is unlikely. His buy-out is tough both ways this year. In light of that, calling for his head is counterproductive for what Clemson has yet to face this year.
September 2, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rebel_Yell (anonymous) says...
It happened because Clemson fans bring bad karma to the world. They reap what they sew. My dog was all wet until he watched that game when all the hot air exiting clemson dried him right up. The so called class of the ACC could not give a bottom tier SEC team (who lost to La Monroe last year) a game. Self proclaimed paper champions. And I see that the early 5 star recruits for clemson have decided to look elsewhere. Who could blame them when Bowden accuses the players of not being ready. I hope playing that violent women beater was worth it. Now that was a tombstone game. Roll Tide! Go Dogs!
September 2, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MR_PRETTY (anonymous) says...
CLEMSON wish they had the BIG gentle giant this year! BIG BARRY "LARRY" RICHARDSON, "GOOD LUCK WITH THE CHIEFS, BARRY". - BIG CUZ
September 2, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
Marianne, if Carolina played like poo, would you please answer one question/ What did your kittens play like?
September 2, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigriver1 (anonymous) says...
Clemson will be 8-4, 9-3 and beat sc AGAIN, they own sc. What happened saturday? Simple. Bamma was ready to destroy someone, anyone and an unprepared Clemson team got in the way. sc dont worry you are still the laughing stock of college football. Clemson would have to play like that for 20 years to unseat sc for that title, not many teams that have a losing record against DUKE in FOOTBALL. LOL.
VANDY 27
sc 3
September 2, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
How 'bout another drink boys ?
Maybe a " Alabama Butt Kicked Slama "
sorry we're out of orange kool-aid LOL!
September 2, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Marianne0558 (anonymous) says...
Marianne doesn't like kittens. I like rooster :)
Yes, we won our game but come on! FOUR interceptions?!
At least we have strong D-E-F-E-N-S-E
September 2, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Clemson would get pounded in the SEC.
Last year they "owned" SC by two points.
Clemson also lost to Duke much more recently than SC.
SC had not played them in a long long time.
Duke was a good way way back in the day FYI.
My advice the Clemson is get a new coach, whatever the cost.
September 2, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whiskeyagogo (anonymous) says...
bigriver1 - Its true that Clemson usually beats USC at football. Why? Perhaps (like last year) USC is too banged up after playing SEC competition all season. Perhaps Tigers can relate to that SEC banged up feeling this morning. CU lounges all year at Club ACC and comes out fresh against a wounded foe and (like last year) barely wins. Your bravado would be slightly less silly if CU and USC played comparable competition. Until CU plays and beats good teams regularly, shut up. Lee Corso said, Clemson got hit in the mouth on both sides of the ball and quit. I know you are proud.
September 2, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SangareeCrew (anonymous) says...
bigriver-when will you give this up? 27-3? Let's talk about that prediction on Friday.
And why do you keep bringing up the past? Is that all you have? Your one tainted national title? Your ACC title from 18 years ago?
Let's talk about NOW. You lost to a 7-6 SEC team. Not only did you lose, you got beat up and down both sides of the ball. Your Offensive line was PATHETIC. Your defense wasn't good either. You got embarrased by a team that will finish around 5th in the SEC. Keep making fun of USC....that's all you have left......because your season is down the crapper, and you know it. And to top it all off, you have the biggest crybaby coach ever. He can recruit well (by promising the running back the first carry of the season....how did that work out for you?) but Tommy is a HORRIBLE gameday coach. He knew the game was over in the first quarter.
You will be lucky to make the Boise Smurf Bowl again. See you in November.
September 2, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
whiskey noe you know it is pointless to argue with bigriver. He is simple not capable of making a point. What does his whole Carolina vs Duke comment mean??? Just plain dumb and pointless.
I would like to see him comment on his beloved OU Sooners and the bar fight the OU players were involved in. It was your normal bar fight except that knifes, and crow bars were used.
And the beat down that CU got Saturday night was karma. How can you not punish a player who beats up his girl friend. If nothing else he should have not started. But that would be too much for Tommy.
September 2, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigriver1 (anonymous) says...
whiskey... excuse already? LOL. I think sc played in the acc, how mant titles do you have to show for it? Yeah, thats what I thought.
Nota... I never bring up the great team in Oklahoma, some of you do. I just get tired of lamecock fans tellimg me sc is better than OU. Idiots! Fact is OU would roll Clemson and sc.
Clemson is thin on both lines but will develop. sc does not have an o-line, qb, rb. sc will lose 7-8 games.
VANDY 27
sc 3
Crew... of course I will be here. Would not miss it. LOL.
September 2, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SangareeCrew (anonymous) says...
bigriver logic:
Win 34-0 against mid level ACC opponent: You will now lose 7 or 8 games, you have no offensive or defensive line, no RB, no QB.
Lose 34-10 against mid level SEC opponent: You will rebound and develop, thanks to that wonderful, inspiring Coach Bowden.
Um............ok. Let's see how that turns out.
September 2, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TIDEMAN08 (anonymous) says...
Keep your head's up Tiger player's and fan's I'm a huge BAMA fan it's just one game I know how you feel been there so many time's GOOD LUCK on the season.
September 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IslandGirl83 (anonymous) says...
Saturday's game was pathetic. I hate preseason hype. Hopefully they will learn from it and improve though. Just have to wait and see.
September 2, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigriver1 (anonymous) says...
I agree the sec is the best conference but sc does nothing to help. sc is like the little school yard weakling that hides behind the big guys and runs his mouth. LOL.
September 2, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ClemsonTi9er (anonymous) says...
What happened Saturday is simple.
If you refer back to the article, several players mention preparation.
Tyler Grisham - "We worked hard, and we felt like we'd prepared well..."
Thomas Austin - "We were expecting a lot of stunts and stuff and different formations, but they didn't really have to do that stuff..."
It is apparent that they were not PREPARED well. Losing that game had nothing to do with talent.
It had to do with COACHING! Nick Saban & Co. outcoached Tommy Bowden & Co. They PREPARED their players properly.
As you can see by the players' comments, they were under every impression that they had prepared well. Well...yeah. You are going to say that when you truly believe it. Our players put their belief in a system that failed them.
Sure coaches cannot play the game for them, but that all goes back to coaching them and teaching them what to do in EVERY possible scenario.
Should Tommy Bowden and his staff not win the ACC, not just get there, but win it, and especially if we lose to the Cocks (I was not impressed, yes y'all played a weak ACC team and that's really bad), he's gone.
Pay him off and then take a shot at our athletic director. Dr. Phillips made the decision to extend T.B.'s contract. He makes the decisions. Maybe we need new leadership there as well, maybe a Clemson alum???
Now I know this has been long, and S.C. fans have to love the mention of another "Fire Bowden!" post, but basically all I am saying is if he does not produce an ACC title (not National), then he should be gone.
Also, give C.U. fans some credit. Give Tommy the benefit of the doubt until he has his most talented team (which he admitted before Bama's game), then see what happens...Bama 34 C.U. 10. Now, wait until the end of the year and if no ACC title, pay Bowden off and boot Phillips.
Go Tigers!
C.U. Alum '08.
September 2, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
since when did SC even leave the bottom of the SEC? They just beat a team that will probably finish 10th or 11th in the ACC, and think that they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath of the mid to upper SEC? How can they compare themselves to alabama, who as i recall in their pregame or halftime show had flags from their national championships throughout the years. Just national, not even counting SEC. Perhaps they would do well to win at least one division championship before trying to lay claim to something they're not.
September 2, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coastal1 (anonymous) says...
The problem with Clemson IMO is that their O-line gets dominated whenever they face a higher tier team. Davis' and Spiller's YPC just plummet (not taper) when the line is having trouble. Both lines got crushed in this game.
September 2, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigerfan07 (anonymous) says...
Clemsontiger,
Apparently, James Barker stepped in and stopped Terry Don from letting Bowden leave in the winter. I didn't know this until recently, but Terry was willing to allow him to leave, but Barker wouldn't allow it.
September 2, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
ClemsonTi9er, hit it on the head. . .
poor coaching lost that game. Bama was hungrier!
Plus you have Fat Brad as your OL coach and lab rat Spence's poor play calling. Spiller was the only tigger to show up and "play".
Plus the fact that little tammy puts so much distance between himself and the players. If they want to talk to him they have to go through their coaches first. He has no relationship with his players. Why would you fight for a coach like that. . . Should have kept RR and put little tammy in the street along with Jo Don. . . Tammy is not a good recruiter, his coaches are. . .
September 2, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fjms (anonymous) says...
I think Bama will be better than a mid tier team in the S.E.C. this year. N.C. State is picked last in the Atlantic division of the A.C.C. this year, so to say they are a mid level team is a little misleading. I know Bama lost to Louisiana Monroe but they did kill the S.E.C. East Champs last year also!
September 2, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
I think it is funny how Clemson fans keep trying to convince themselves that Alabama is better than they were supposed to be.
Couldn't the loss have more to do with the fact that Clemson is worse than they were supposed to be?
September 2, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fjms (anonymous) says...
Yes but Bama could be better than predicted. Clemson could also be worse than predicted. It's a long season!
September 2, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebel1 (anonymous) says...
"There's also no shortage of Tigers in the training room after Saturday's game. Starting right guard Barry Humphries will have surgery to repair a knee injury suffered against Alabama and is expected to miss at least this week's home opener against The CitadelStarting "bandit" end Ricky Sapp suffered a bruised knee and is listed as questionable for Saturday. Receiver Jacoby Ford missed the second half after taking several big hits, and he's listed as probable. Backup wideout Terrence Ashe (sprained foot) is questionable". For all the idiots who say just because you play in the SEC doesnt mean your bad well I think this list of injurys say it all. And this after only 1 game. Try playing in the SEC all year like USC does. I guess all those 5 star recuits doesnt matter. lol. I guess promise them the first carry, how did that work out for ya. The #1 running backs and qb in the nation got ya how many yards? Hum 0000000000000. LOL. At least you have the CITADEL and the rest of the avg coast conf left. Puttykat football, the joke of college football.
September 2, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
This is not rocket science. The tiggers worked as hard as they could and were as prepared as possible. They were healthy and had lots and lots of top rated players. Their coach is the highest paid in the state. They have top notch facilities, ultra rich fan base, lots of clay and red necks and pick up trucks. They eat, sleep, dream, breath, and live for tigger football not because of the enjoyment of sport or athletic competition, but rather because it validates their otherwise mundane existence. Somewhere between 6 and 9 times a year, all of this works because they play in a girlie conference, but no matter, a W is a W. Only problem is they played a better team. Bama has been, is, and shall always be better them clemzun, and every time the tiggers play a better team, they lose. Every time. No exceptions. Losers to better teams. That means they haven't, didn't, and won't win. Get it? Just that simple. Hinky dink team in a hinky dink town in a hinky dink conference. Know what that means? Hinky Dink, all the way.
September 2, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
"sc is like the little school yard weakling that hides behind the big guys and runs his mouth"
bigriver is like the little school yard weakling that hides behind the internet and runs his mouth
Your team was utterly humiliated. Deal with it.
September 2, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
Time will tell boys. . . for both teams. . .
Pretenders or Contenders. . . ? ? ?
Its not where you are ranked in pre-season its where you are ranked after post-season, if at all. . .
Pre-Season rankings are a JOKE !
Folks don't give (big river aka. . little douche) any satisfaction or respose. . . he is a complete idiot. . .
all he does is "stir the pot" He11 he pulls for the OU sooners, the most corrupt program in all of the NCAA.
just like Lou Gossett Jr said:
"only 2 things from Oklahoma, gueers and steers"
and little douche doesn't have any horns. . .
"don't respond to the douche"
"don't respond to the douche"
repeat after me. . . .
September 2, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
Well, the AP Top 25 poll is out now.
South Carolina is 24th.
Clemson is not ranked.
Enough said.
September 2, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
" sc is like the little school yard weakling that hides behind the big guys and runs his mouth. LOL."
Bigriver, half of the SEC is in the AP Top 25 this week. Guess who one of those teams is? I'll give you a hint - it's the Gamecocks.
September 2, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
Enjoy your little bit of sucess chickens (if you call beating the wolfpack sucess) because it will not last long. Come November you will be 6-6 and home for the holidays and we will be playing in a bowl and you will have to pull for the other team for some joy. So enjoy !
just because you live in a bad neighborhood(SEC), it doens't
make you a tough guy. it just means you get your arse stomped a lot if you are one of the weaklings.
September 2, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
I'm sorry, youmanyo - what is Clemson's ranking again?
September 2, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
In usa today we are 22 and you are 24 . Like I said enjoy your sucess it will not last long .
September 2, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TTBoy (anonymous) says...
(rebel 1) talk about injuries: your qb is out this week vs the other stinker from the sec. garcia to get some time on the playing field? as long as he stays sober and doesn't pull anymore fire alarms. the preasure will get to him and he'll key another car, what an act of a spineless punk.
the last time these two teams (usc Clemson) played this poor throughout the season they had a fist fight. and we know who won the game and fight.
I hope both programs get their act together and win some games.
September 2, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
Wow, youmanyo. The USA Today poll? Really? You're grasping at straws there, buddy.
September 2, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rebel_Yell (anonymous) says...
What would clemson do in the SEC? I think we know the answer. Bama and Scar were tied last year at 6-6 at season's end. That means Scar and Vanderbilt are better than Clemson this year. You guys might still be the best of the ACC, but that is probably 12th in the SEC. That's just a fact. You guys are soooooooo overrated! 12-0, LOL
September 2, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TTBoy (anonymous) says...
summerville guy you are really having a hard time in the baby pool. stop flailling yours arms about, just stand up and take a bow. go look up some history - how many times have the shamecocks been in the top 25 at seasons end??? Clemson beats little usc, usc doesn't get a bowl invite. Fact.
September 2, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
Redneck yelp lets make a bet , if you guys win this year I will never post again and when we win this year you can never post again .
coot logic at its best, did you forget we beat you last year
What would clemson do in the SEC? I think we know the answer. Bama and Scar were tied last year at 6-6 at season's end. That means Scar and Vanderbilt are better than Clemson this year. You guys might still be the best of the ACC, but that is probably 12th in the SEC. That's just a fact. You guys are soooooooo overrated! 12-0, LOL
September 2, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GreenvilleGirl (anonymous) says...
You would think, with the experience the coaching staff at Clemson is supposed to have, especially considering the salaries paid to these guys, they would have SEEN what Alabama was doing and make the appropriate adjustments. I saw it, and their vantage point was much closer than mine!
We(just our family, no corporate money) had great tickets(Section E, LL) for almost 45 years. Yet when we got our IPTAY bill for what our 'donation' would be, it had increased almost ten-fold.
MY POINT(I deviate. Sorry.): Clemson football, as well as many other colleges' programs, have run amok. College football today is what pro-football was 10 years ago. No coach should be getting paid what Bowden and others get paid. Most families today can no longer afford to go to Division I games.
I'm sorry, but the NCAA shouldn't allow an athlete's SAT score of 820 to be acceptable for admission, then deny a non-athlete student with an SAT score of 1210. Colleges should provide EDUCATION, not ENTERTAINMENT.
I'm not opposed to having athletic teams, but good gosh, keep it in perspective. For every athletic scholarship given, the equivalent amount should be set aside for students who come to college to learn, not to use as a stepping stone to a pro career.
I'm afraid Clemson is reaping what they sow. Misappropriation of funds....more money for sports than for academics. Just my opinion.
I'll look forward to this weekend's game v. The Citadel. IF El Cid plays well,.....well, stranger things have happened!
September 2, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
huj (anonymous) says...
The proof is and has been there for 9+ years; Bowden is the worst gameday coach in college football. It's not even up for argument anymore. Anyone who still believes Bowden is a good coach capable of a producing championship-caliber Clemson team is a complete tool. It's beyond clear he's simply awful.
September 2, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SangareeCrew (anonymous) says...
Really, RW? You might want to pass along your little nugget of info to those who make the AP Top 25 poll. They seem to think that we are the #24 team in the country, and dropped you out of the poll completely.
Yeah, we suck all right.
September 2, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fjms (anonymous) says...
We are 22 in the coaches' poll. Not exactly dropped out completely. We're trying to hang in there!
September 2, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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