Ellington, Harper combine to create new version of 'thunder and lightning'

CLEMSON -- The "thunder and lightning" label was naturally attached to Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington because of the success of their forerunners at Clemson.

The label still hovers over Ellington and Harper. Posters depicting former Clemson star James Davis as "thunder" and C.J. Spiller as "lightning" remain hanging in the concourse at Memorial Stadium.

In Clemson's season-opening 35-10 win against North Texas, Ellington and Harper showed the world Clemson could still have a productive running game and furthered their independence from their predecessors by unveiling a new moniker: "New Storm."

The new label enjoyed an excellent branding opportunity Saturday. Harper and Ellington each eclipsed 100 yards rushing, becoming the first pair of Clemson rushers to break 100 yards in a game since Spiller and Davis accomplished the feat against Maryland in 2007.

Dabo Swinney learned of the nickname before the game.

"I told them before the game today at the hotel we are going to find out if you are a tropical depression, a Category 1, or a real deal Category 5," Clemson's coach said. "Which one are y'all going to be?"

If Saturday's performance is a sample of things to come, it could be

the later designation.

Ellington, a former Berkeley High star, finished with a game-high 122 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Harper finished with 101 yards on nine carries and two scores, one via the pass.

"It's more of a together thing than a separate 'thunder and lightning' thing," Ellington said of the nickname. "There are a lot of people that doubt us out there. We're here to show them we are on a mission."

Ellington rushed for a 60-yard score on his first play from scrimmage. North Texas crashed the line of scrimmage on a blitz, leaving no second line of defense, and Ellington found a seam around the left end.

Last season, Spiller took his first touch of the 2009 season 96 yards on a kickoff.

"I think C.J. was texting Andre last night, busting his chops," Swinney said. "I told Andre after he did that to text him back and tell him anyone can score on a kick return. But to score on the first play from the line of scrimmage takes a little something."

Like the second half of last season when the Tigers enjoyed a 5.4 yards per carry average, Clemson was again productive on the ground (246 yards on 25 carries). The running game bailed out a passing attack that was initially stagnant. Kyle Parker did not complete a pass until the second quarter, finishing with 170 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 9 of 17 passing.

"We had to change some things we were doing concept-wise," Swinney said. "They were playing press and weren't playing anything deep."

While the areas of strength were familiar, so were the areas of weakness.

Clemson allowed North Texas to breach 100 yards rushing in the first half and the Mean Green finished with 193 rushing yards for the game (3.9 yard average), while outgaining Clemson 462 yards to 423.

It was an inauspicious debut for a defense that allowed 162 yards rushing in four of Clemson's five losses last year.

"We missed a lot of tackles," Clemson linebacker Corico Hawkins said.

Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele concurred, but added that North Texas running back Lance Dunbar could play anywhere. Dunbar gained 116 yards on 23 carries.

"We were not crisp, "Steele said.

Clemson was also surprised by the North Texas game plan. The Mean Green featured a new offensive coordinator and new offensive elements.

Steele called the Mean Green playbook "thick."

North Texas also converted 11 of 22 third downs. Said Swinney of the opener: "The best thing about it is that it's over."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com, check out the Clemson blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks and follow him on Twitter (@travis_sawchik).