Tag: Clemson vs. Furman

Shipley heaps praise on Uiagalelei: ‘We’re gonna follow 5 to the promised land’

Will Shipley got a front-row seat to what was arguably the best game of D.J. Uiagalelei Clemson’s career. Uiagalelei played the majority of the Tigers’ 35-12 victory over Furman at Memorial Stadium and never has he had a more efficient day through …

Will Shipley got a front-row seat to what was arguably the best game of D.J. Uiagalelei Clemson’s career.

Uiagalelei played the majority of the Tigers’ 35-12 victory over Furman at Memorial Stadium and never has he had a more efficient day through the air in his first three years as a Tiger. Uiagalelei finished 21 of 27 passing for 231 yards and a pair of scores, continuing his strong start to the season in the accuracy department.

“Five played a great game (Saturday). I was just so thankful to be in the backfield with him,” Shipley said. “He’s just leading the way so well, really just taking over, silencing the outside noise.”

Even before Saturday’s performance, there were calls to bench the second-year starter in favor of true freshman Cade Klubnik. 

“There’s a lot of that noise,” Shipley said with a smile. “It’s funny, I love both guys. They’re both great. I think D.J. went out there and yes, he silenced some of those critics out there (Saturday). I think he showed that he’s the guy right now and I know everybody’s gonna rally behind him and we’re gonna follow five to the promised land — it’s something I’ve been saying to him since last year. We’re following him to the promised land.”

And Clemson did just that Saturday in The Valley.

The difference from last year is not only Uiagalelei’s poise and his comfortability in the pocket but also his confidence. 

“I think we all saw it (Saturday). He’s going out there, he’s just slinging the rock,” Shipley said. “It’s so fun to watch when five’s got his confidence. I’m just so happy for him in everything that he’s doing, not only how he’s throwing the football, but also how he’s commanding the offense and his confidence on the field. Just everything along that nature, it’s really fun to be out there with five right now and see the direction he’s headed after the first two. Can’t wait to see where he goes the rest of the season.”

“It’s so unbelievable, it’s crazy. It brings a smile to my face,” Shipley said regarding Uiagalelei’s confidence at the moment. “I’m just in the backfield and I got a first-row seat. I see it happening. But, he’s just commanding everything. He’s telling me what to do. He’s getting the protection call. Doing things on the fly. That’s stuff that I haven’t seen yet. So, to be in the first row of D.J. kind of starting to find it again, and being able to take us where we want to go is awesome. I can’t wait for the rest of the season.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

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Clemson handles Furman in first home win of season

As Clemson’s offense seemingly turned a corner in the program’s home opener of the 2022 season, the defense didn’t seem to have the same sting in its 31-point win over Georgia Tech. Behind one of the best efforts of D.J. Uiagalelei’s career, Clemson …

As Clemson’s offense seemingly turned a corner in the program’s home opener of the 2022 season, the defense didn’t seem to have the same sting in its 31-point win over Georgia Tech.

Behind one of the best efforts of D.J. Uiagalelei’s career, Clemson strung together five touchdown scoring drives, which proved to be enough for the Tigers (2-0, 1-0 ACC) 35-12 win over Furman on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

After putting up four touchdowns in the first 30 minutes, Clemson outscored Furman just 7-3 in the second-half.

Taking a 19-point lead into halftime, Clemson didn’t need to come firing out of the gate. And the Tigers didn’t until Barrett Carter recorded his first career interception on Furman’s first second-half drive.

That placed the ball back in the hands of Uiagalelei, who was back under center for Clemson’s first offensive possession of the second half and remained as such until well into the fourth quarter.

On Clemson’s first offensive possession of the second half, all Uiagalelei had to do was hand the ball off to Will Shipley, who had rushes of 10, 13 and 18 yards. But once Shipley got the Tigers into the red zone, it was Uiagalelei who took over. The junior signal-caller threw a back shoulder touchdown pass to Beaux Collins for nine yards. It was their second connection of the afternoon and third of the season.

Shipley finished Saturday’s game with 68 rushing yards on 10 carries with two rushing touchdowns. It was Shipley’s sixth multi-touchdown game of his young career. Clemson’s rushing attack as a whole was much more sound than its season opener on Monday. The Tigers rushed for 147 yards on 28 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Shipley had two rushing scores, while Kobe Pace added another.

Uiagalelei, who finished Saturday’s contest with 321 passing yards, has now thrown for over 210 yards in the first two games of the season, something he did just twice during his first season as a starter.

Over more than three quarters, Uiagalelei completed 21-of-27 passes (78%) with two touchdown passes and an interception.

While Saturday was Uiagalelei’s most efficient day operating under center to date, he didn’t leave Memorial Stadium without a miscue. 

During the end of the third quarter, there appeared to be a miscommunication between Uiagalelei and Brannon Spector. On an option route, Clemson’s quarterback seemed to think that the junior receiver, who hails from Calhoun (Ga.), would keep continuing his route. Instead, the ball flailed off Spector’s fingertips and into the waiting hands of Kam Brinson.

Down by 23 and time against them, Furman had a chance to get itself back in Saturday’s game. Bryan Bresee and Sheridan Jones had other ideas, however, stopping the Paladins in their tracks and forcing Furman to turn the ball over on downs.

While Huff didn’t have the day that his quarterback counterpart did, Furman’s senior quarterback kept the score closer than it likely should’ve been. Clemson held Furman to 12 offensive points — two field goals, a touchdown and a missed extra point.

Huff completed 30-of-39 passes for 256 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

After Will Taylor muffed a punt, Furman had yet another chance to put more points on the board, but players like LaVonta Bentley, who had six tackles (2.5 for loss) and a sack, answered the bell.

Clemson stuffed Furman on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line to seal the win.

Next Up

Clemson will play host to Louisana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 17, for what will be the Tigers’ first night game in The Valley for the 2022 season.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Clemson’s fast start leads to halftime lead

Clemson wasted no time getting the scoring starting in the Tigers’ home opener against Furman Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Clemson headed into halftime with a commanding 28-9 lead over the Paladins. Will Shipley’s third rushing touchdown …

Clemson wasted no time getting the scoring starting in the Tigers’ home opener against Furman Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. 

Clemson headed into halftime with a commanding 28-9 lead over the Paladins.

Will Shipley’s third rushing touchdown of the season capped off a 7-play, 75-yard drive. D.J. Uiaglelei completed all three of his passes for 67 yards on Clemson’s opening drive, including a 40-yard strike to Beaux Collins.

Despite having his helmet knocked off on the first play from scrimmage for the Paladins by Ruke Orhorhoro, Furman quarterback Tyler Huff completed 4-of-4 passes for 55 yards, setting up his team for a 30-yard field goal.

It wasn’t the only time that Furman was able to move the football down the field, the Paladins just weren’t able to capitalize on further opportunities. Threatening to score late in the second quarter, Clemson turned the tables on Furman, as Malcolm Greene forced a fumble, which Fred Davis II recovered. 

It could’ve effectively been the turning point of Saturday afternoon’s game.

Instead, after Clemson’s first stalled offensive drive of the half, Huff led a five-play, 54-yard scoring drive, which culminated in a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Miller. Huff finished the first half 14-of-16 passing with 149 yards and a touchdown pass to Miller, who added seven receptions for 69 yards.

And while Clemson’s defense didn’t get off to the start it might’ve hoped for, the offensive unit didn’t take its foot off the gas.

In the first quarter, Uiagalelei completed 8-of-9 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. His eight completions went to five different receivers, including a Jake Briningstool two-yard touchdown to cap off Clemson’s second offensive drive. 

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney handed the keys to true freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik on the team’s fourth offensive drive of the afternoon. After Klubnik failed to construct much of a drive, Swinney turned back to Uiagalelei on Clemson’s fifth and final offensive possession of the first half.

Uiagalelei finished the half 15-of-18 passing with 203 yards and a touchdown pass.

Shipley, who got the scoring started, would later find paydirt for a second time, as the sophomore running back had seven rushes for 27 yards and two scores in the first half of Saturday’s home opener. 

Kobe Pace would follow that up with a one-yard touchdown run of his own. In the game’s first 30 minutes, Pace had four rushes for 25 yards. In the first half alone, Clemson ran for a total of 103 yards on 22 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Furman will receive the second-half kickoff.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Top prospects headed to Death Valley for Clemson-Furman game

Clemson will again play host to some top prospects for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game against Furman in Death Valley. Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the Clemson-Furman game. A couple of …

Clemson will again play host to some top prospects for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game against Furman in Death Valley.

Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the Clemson-Furman game.

A couple of headliners among the recruits expected to be in attendance are a five-star class of 2024 prospect in Jefferson (Ga.) linebacker Sammy Brown and a four-star class of 2023 prospect in Phenix City (Ala.) Central defensive end Tomarrion Parker.

Brown is the No. 1 linebacker in the 2024 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, which also tabs Parker as the No. 12 defensive lineman in the 2023 class.

Brown was contacted by multiple members of Clemson’s staff — including head coach Dabo Swinneydefensive coordinator/linebackers coach Wes Goodwin and co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn – on Thursday, Sept. 1, when college coaches across the country could begin actively reaching out to junior prospects in the class of 2024.

“I heard from most of the defensive coaching staff, Coach Goodwin, Coach Conn, etc.,” Brown told The Clemson Insider shortly after. “I actually heard from Coach Swinney as well.”

Brown became the first prospect in the 2024 class to receive an offer from Clemson when he picked up the offer while on campus for the program’s underclassmen day on March 12. He then returned on April 6 to take in the Tigers’ final spring practice prior to their April 9 spring game, before most recently traveling back to campus for another visit during the Swinney Camp in June.

The 6-foot-2, 227-pound blue-chip recruit told TCI he is planning to visit Clemson again for its first home game of the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Furman.

“I think that we’re going to the Furman game (Saturday),” he said. “My parents went to Furman, so kinda lines up.”

As for Parker, after receiving an offer from Clemson on Aug. 11, he set up two visits to Death Valley — an unofficial visit for this Saturday and an official visit for the Syracuse game on Oct. 22.

A big-time receiver from the Garden State is slated to be on hand for Saturday’s game as well in Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic three-star Emanuel Ross, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising junior in the class of 2024 – who worked out at the Swinney Camp the weekend of June 10-12.

Ross certainly left Clemson impressed following his first-ever visit to the school.

“Honestly, the family environment – the school’s very family oriented,” Ross told TCI earlier this summer. “It’s not like a state college, so everything felt so close, and I just loved it.”

Among other notable recruits on Clemson’s anticipated guest list for Saturday’s game are Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit 2024 three-star linebacker Drew Woodaz, Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School 2024 RB Ryan Henley, Greenville (S.C.) 2024 WR Mac McLean, Lexington (S.C.) River Bluff 2025 QB Parker Murray and River Bluff (S.C.) 2025 K/P Tripp Bryant.

*Prospects like Chula Vista (Calif.) Mater Dei Catholic 2024 four-star cornerback Isaiah Buxton and Austin (Texas) Vandegrift 2024 offensive lineman Blake Frazier were invited to Saturday afternoon’s game but will be unable to attend.

Further updates to follow

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!