Turnovers, third-down futility stymie Tigers

Columbia -- Looking for holiday recipe tips? Dabo Swinney said Clemson offered one for offensive failure Saturday.

The ingredients for a 34-17 loss at South Carolina included three turnovers, first-down futility and a 3-of-13 third-down conversion rate. Clemson produced a season low 260 yards.

The offensive stall came as the 15th-ranked Tigers (8-4) had been on a school-record offensive streak, scoring at least 34 points in each of their previous six games. During the record offensive run, Clemson freshman quarterback Kyle Parker drew Drew Brees comparisons, and C.J. Spiller had surged in Heisman projections.

A regression, or market correction, occurred against a talented SEC defense -- perhaps the best defense Clemson has faced since TCU.

The regression kept the Clemson defense on the field for 80 plays as USC rushed for 223 yards, and converted three Clemson turnovers into 17 points.

"We had to play uphill a lot," Swinney said.

The uphill battle started on first down.

During their six-game win streak, first-down success had been a common thread, spearheaded with more two tight end and I-formation sets.

A similar shift to more power formations led to the Tigers' rushing success last season in a win against the Gamecocks.

On Saturday, the Tigers were limited to 14 rushing yards on their first 10 first-down rushes. The inability to run the ball effectively led to eight third downs of five yards or more.

On third down Parker was often picking himself up off the Williams-Brice turf, and it was third-and-8 in the first quarter when Parker threw his interception.

During the six-game win streak, Clemson converted 31-of-53 third downs (58 percent).

The Tigers converted just one of their first nine Saturday.

"I think that was a huge, huge deal," Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier said. "I think they did a nice job getting some things to create a pass rush a little bit differently. Obviously our decision- making, execution and focus wasn't there."

The Gamecocks' front of Clifton Geathers, Cliff Matthews and Ladi Ajiboye had a little something to do with that, overwhelming the Clemson offensive line time after time.

USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson added several pressure packages Clemson didn't expect.

Swinney was not pleased with the protection. Parker was sacked twice and hit seven times.

Parker completed 22 of 42 passes for 212 yards, and 127 yards came with Clemson trailing in the fourth quarter. It was his poorest yards per attempt performance against an FBS opponent since Week 3 against Boston College. And it was the Tigers lowest yardage output since its loss to Maryland (274 yards).

Said Swinney: "We don't have time to wallow."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.