Hunter Rayburn – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Starting offensive lineman among unavailable players against Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Clemson has announced the players that won’t be available against Syracuse on Friday. Among them is offensive lineman Hunter Rayburn, who started at center in the Tigers’ most recent game against Boston College. Tight end Braden …

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Clemson has announced the players that won’t be available against Syracuse on Friday.

Among them is offensive lineman Hunter Rayburn, who started at center in the Tigers’ most recent game against Boston College. Tight end Braden Galloway, receiver E.J. Williams, cornerback Fred Davis and safety Joseph Charleston are among the other players who were listed on the depth chart at the start of the week that won’t be available for tonight’s game.

Injuries and COVID-19 protocols are among the reasons why players would be unavailable, though Clemson doesn’t categorize the reason for each player’s unavailability. But Williams had his knee scoped recently while Davis has been recovering from a sprained ankle.

Kickoff from the Carrier Dome is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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Can Clemson’s running game build on breakout performance?

Clemson didn’t look like the same team running the ball against Boston College that it’s been for much of the season. That’s good news for the Tigers. After weeks of going virtually nowhere on the ground (not counting its meeting with a physically …

Clemson didn’t look like the same team running the ball against Boston College that it’s been for much of the season.

That’s good news for the Tigers.

After weeks of going virtually nowhere on the ground (not counting its meeting with a physically overmatched FCS opponent in South Carolina State), No. 25 Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) finally found some consistency in the running game against the Eagles. The end result was the Tigers’ second 200-yard rushing game of the season.

After averaging 87.6 yards per game on the ground against its first three FBS opponents, the Tigers racked up 231 yards in their win over Boston College, which was allowing just 99.7 rushing yards coming in, a stat that ranked in the top 25 nationally. The S.C. State game (242) is the only one in which Clemson has rushed for more.

“We stopped the run and got the run game going,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “It was definitely the difference in the game.”

Clemson has dealt with attrition at running back throughout the season. First, it was senior Lyn-J Dixon deciding to leave the program three games in. Then freshman Will Shipley sustained a lower leg injury late against North Carolina State that will keep him out multiple games, but it was hard to tell against Boston College.

Kobe Pace had a career-high 125 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown that doubled as Clemson’s longest play from scrimmage this season. True freshman Phil Mafah got his first collegiate snaps because of that attrition and ripped off 58 yards on just eight carries. The Tigers averaged 5.8 yards per tote, easily the most against a team not named S.C. State.

Clemson will try to build on that performance its next time out Friday at Syracuse (3-3, 0-2). But to get a better idea of how the Tigers may try to go about doing that, it’s important to understand what led to the breakthrough against Boston College.

The first part of the equation isn’t complicated, Swinney said. The Tigers’ retooled offensive line tried a couple of different starting combinations through the first four weeks of the season and went with a third against the Eagles out of necessity. It was also the most effective one to date.

With right guard Will Putnam (toe) injured, the Tigers slid Matt Bockhorst over and inserted Hunter Rayburn into the starting lineup at center. Freshman Marcus Tate also got another start at left guard after being replaced by Paul Tchio there a week earlier.

It’s a group that’s struggled with sheer physicality as well as blocking assignments and communication at times with so many moving parts, but Swinney said none of that was an issue against the Eagles.

“The offensive line really played well,” Swinney said. “We didn’t have the critical errors. We didn’t have miscommunication. We weren’t turning guys that were supposed to be blocked loose. We really communicated well, targeted well and were very physical.”

Mafah echoed his coach’s sentiment when asked why he felt like the running game was more effective than it’s been for much of the season.

“As a team, we’ve just been talking about just really imposing our will on our opponent,” Mafah said. “Dabo is always talking about in practice that we need to bring that to the game field, and I just feel like the o-linemen and the offense, we just came with that intensity. I felt like the offensive line did a great job (last week), so I give a lot of props to them, (offensive line) coach (Robbie) Caldwell and our coaches for allowing us the opportunity to get that open.”

Clemson also made a point to get the backs out on the perimeter with stretch plays, pitches and options. Mafah’s longest run — a 26-yarder late in the first half — came on one of those stretch plays where he ran through an opening off tackle and wasn’t met by a Boston College defender until he was more than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Mafah broke a couple of would-be tackles to help turn it into one of Clemson’s longest runs of the night, but Swinney said attacking the Eagles on the edge wasn’t necessarily about how Boston College was defending the Tigers. The stretch has been a staple of Clemson’s playbook this season, but Swinney again pointed to the group up front for the primary difference in its effectiveness this time around.

“We run the inside zone and the outside zone, but we just blocked it better the other night,” Swinney said. “When you block it well, good things happen. And we ran it well. Ran the right tracks. Again, we were able to get in rhythm and, all of a sudden, you start playing some complementary football as far as how you can complement plays and get in a rhythm as far as calling the plays.”

And, more heavily than he’s been all season, Clemson also got D.J. Uiagalelei involved in the running game again. The Tigers’ 6-foot-4, 247-pound quarterback had a season-high 12 carries for 50 yards, most of those coming on designed runs between the tackles. The Tigers also ran their share of zone reads, where Uiagalelei has the option to hand off or keep the ball based on how the defensive line plays it. Swinney said there were a couple of times where Uiagalelei could’ve likely picked up even more yards on the ground had he pulled the ball, but he largely made the right decisions to hand off to Pace and Mafah in those situations, Swinney added.

The Tigers’ success on the ground forced Boston College to commit an extra defender or two to the box and play more man coverage than Clemson has seen this season. Uiagalelei didn’t connect on any of those throws deep down the field, something Swinney said has to start happening if Clemson is going to make defenses pay for playing that way, but it’s largely up to the running game to keep giving the Tigers one-on-one matchups on the outside.

“We had to prove we can run the ball, and when you can do that, then you open things up in the passing game,” Swinney said.

As for which lineup the Tigers go with on the offensive line against Syracuse, that’s something that continues to be evaluated, Swinney said. Part of that depends on if Putnam is able to give it a go against the Orange, another defense ranked in the top 35 nationally in rushing yards allowed (114 per game).

If so, Clemson could move Bockhorst back to left guard, where he played last season, and keep Rayburn at center. Another option would be to stick with the same lineup as last week if Putnam has to miss another game.

Ultimately, the Tigers need the running game to continue doing its part if the offense is going to maximize its potential over the final seven games and help keep Clemson in the ACC title race.

“If the defense wants to give us a box to run on all day, we’ve got to do our best to run against it,” Rayburn said. “If they want to play a little light coverage and let us throw the ball, then let’s throw it. We’ve got to be ready for whatever defense we play and just take what they give us.”

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Rayburn staying ready wherever he’s needed up front

Hunter Rayburn has been waiting for an opportunity like the one he had last week for nearly three seasons. Clemson’s offensive lineman took full advantage of it. After spending much of his first two seasons in the program playing in mop-up duty up …

Hunter Rayburn has been waiting for an opportunity like the one he had last week for nearly three seasons.

Clemson’s offensive lineman took full advantage of it.

After spending much of his first two seasons in the program playing in mop-up duty up front, Rayburn got his first career start at center against Boston College. With right guard Will Putnam injured, Matt Bockhorst moved back to guard to fill in for him while Rayburn took over snapping duties, though Rayburn didn’t really care how his insertion into the starting lineup came about.

“It was special. It’s something I prayed about and that I’ve dreamed out. Getting to go out there and play was awesome and really rewarding. I hate to see that for Put because Puts a great guy and a great player. But I tried to be ready for my opportunity.”

Putnam helped pave the way for Tigers’ second-best offensive output of the season in terms of total yards (438) and rushing yards, the latter being one of the unit’s most glaring weaknesses this season. The Tigers entered their game against Boston College 99th out of 130 FBS teams in rushing but racked up 231 yards on the ground in their 19-13 win.

Rayburn attributed the increased production on the ground to improved communication among the starting five.

“That’s the biggest part of any play,” Rayburn said. “If we’re not all the same page and one guy messes up, it can be a bust.”

Rayburn’s assignments came at the position he admitted to being most comfortable with up front. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound sophomore played 97 snaps over 10 games the previous two seasons with most of that playing time coming at guard and even tackle. Rayburn said that was largely out of necessity as injuries piled up at those spots.

Rayburn said he still reps at different positions during practice unless otherwise ordered by coaches. Before last week, though, his only game reps this season had come at guard.

But Rayburn was back at center against the Eagles, a position where he had competed with Bockhorst and fellow sophomore Mason Trotter during fall camp. As for his performance last week, Rayburn was satisfied with it outside of one low snap to D.J. Uiagalelei in the second half.

“I feel like I did all right,” Rayburn said. “That snap for sure could’ve been better. The ball, it was pretty wet. And my towel was pretty wet at that point. Other than that, I feel like I did all right.”

The way the line performed as a whole could prompt the coaching staff to keep Rayburn at center and move Bockhorst back to left guard, where he played last season, assuming Putnam is able to return for the Tigers’ next game Friday at Syracuse. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said all possible lineups up front would be evaluated before then.

“I was just just ready to play wherever they put me,” Rayburn said.

He’ll continue to stay that way going forward.

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Uiagalelei’s presence in run game key for Tigers’ offensive success

When D.J. Uiagalelei went back on the filed at Memorial Stadium following last Saturday’s win over Boston College, no one in the Clemson locker room was surprised. “D.J has always done a good job handling his business. He is a hard worker. He is one …

When D.J. Uiagalelei went back on the filed at Memorial Stadium following last Saturday’s win over Boston College, no one in the Clemson locker room was surprised.

“D.J has always done a good job handling his business. He is a hard worker. He is one of the hardest workers we got,” center Hunter Rayburn said.

Uiagalelei spent more than an hour throwing the football to a team manager, as he went back and worked over and over again, all the bad throws he made just a few hours before. It was way after 1 a.m. before he finally called it a night.

“He is out here every day doing what he can to be as successful as he can be, in terms of helping us be successful,” Rayburn said.

And his hard work is starting to pay off, even if the fans do not necessarily see it.

“I just thought his mindset, what he did with his legs, how he managed the pocket, how he took care of the football. I just thought it was just a really good step forward for us,” head coach Dabo Swinney said.

Uiagalelei finished the BC game 13-for-28 for 207 yards. It was not a great night throwing the football, but as Swinney said, he took care of the ball. He did not try and force anything and he looked confident and comfortable in the pocket, going back to how he looked in the fourth quarter and overtime against NC State.

“How he managed the pocket, that is the best he has been in the pocket. He really did some good things there,” the Clemson coach said. “He made good decisions. He took care of the football. So, I am really proud of him.

“He missed some throws still. He missed a couple of touchdown opportunities, and then we had a couple that were dropped as well. We still have a lot of work to do in order to get really dialed in where we can be the type of offense we want to be.”

And what the Tigers want to be is explosive and balanced. Two things they finally showed they can be in the BC game.

Kobe Pace had a 59-yard touchdown run. Phil Mafah had a 28-yard gallop, while Uiagalelei completed passes of 54 and 33 yards to Joseph Ngata and Pace.

Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) finished the night with 231 yards on the ground and 207 through the air.

Swinney contributed the more balanced offense to the way his quarterback played, especially in the running game. Uiagalelei gained 59 yards on 11 true carries.

“He has made his presence known in the run game,” Swinney said. “Actually, he still left a little bit out there. There were a couple of plays that I thought he still had a little bit more to get. But he is making his presence known in the run game, which is really good. He is starting to really hit his stride there. He is a problem. That is a big strong man that is hard to get down.

“Getting the run game going, creates some things in the passing game and that is what we have not been able to do is run the football. A lot of that has been miscommunication. A lot of fundamental stuff, honestly. We really played well up front (against BC). I can’t tell you how proud I was of those guys.”

Clemson hopes Uiagalelei and the offense continues to improve when they visit Syracuse next Friday at the Carrier Dome.

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Grading Clemson’s offense through the first half of the season

Clemson won’t officially hit the halfway point on its 12-game regular season until after its game at Syracuse next week, but it’s close enough. With an open date to take a step back and evaluate where the Tigers are as a team, TCI is handing out …

Let’s hand out some grades for each position on offense through five games:

Quarterback

D.J. Uiagalelei entered this season with plenty of hype taking over the offense after Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall draft pick. It came not only from the fact Uiagalelei was a former five-star recruit himself but also because of his breakout performances against Boston College and Notre Dame in his spot starts last season. But the first half of this season has served as a jarring reminder that he’s still a young player figuring things out just seven starts into his college career.

In terms of pure arm talent, Uiagalelei may be the best Clemson has ever had during the Dabo Swinney era. There’s not a throw on the field the 6-foot-5, 247-pounder can’t make, but consistently finding the mark on those throws has been another story. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been efficient at times (65% completion rate in wins over South Carolina and Georgia Tech), but Uiagalelei is last in the ACC — and 105th nationally — with a completion percentage of 54.3% largely because of a lack of accuracy and touch on the intermediate-to-deep throws. To be fair, the lack of a consistent running game has kept the pressure on Uiagalelei on the receivers to constantly produce, but Clemson ran the ball as well as it has all season last week against Boston College, resulting in more man coverage on the outside. But Uiagalelei misfired on every deep shot and left some points on the field.

Uiagalelei has gradually been used more in the running game and has provided a spark there (21 carries for 113 yards the last two games combined). But as Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, Uiagalelei simply has to start connecting with his receivers down the field when those opportunities are there if the offense is going to do its part in keeping Clemson in the ACC title race going forward. Grade: C

Running back

Not only are the Tigers feeling the impact of Travis Etienne’s loss, but there’s attrition that’s affecting the backfield as well. There’s not a back on the roster with the same kind of skill set as Etienne, and the one that might be the closest, true freshman Will Shipley, is out for the time being. Meanwhile, Clemson’s most experienced back, Lyn-J Dixon, isn’t around anymore either after choosing to leave the program three games into the season.

That’s left sophomore Kobe Pace and another true freshman, Phil Mafah, as the primary backs. Darien Rencher and Michel Dukes are also around, but they haven’t been used much outside of the South Carolina State game. The blocking in front of them has been iffy, but the youth has shown up with some missed holes and cutbacks. The pass protection has been solid for the most part, though, and Pace had a career game with 125 yards on 18 carries against Boston College. Mafah also had 58 yards on just eight carries in his collegiate debut, an encouraging sign for a running game that needs to get going. Grade: C+

Receivers and tight ends

Justyn Ross hasn’t made every play (there was that drop in overtime against North Carolina Stated before that strange last play), but Clemson’s top wideout has been solid in his return from spinal fusion surgery. He leads the Tigers with 23 receptions, three of those going for scores. And a healthy Joseph Ngata has flashed all of that potential coaches have been talking about in the former five-star recruit. Ngata has been the Tigers’ most explosive pass-catcher at 19.6 yards per reception.

But nobody else still on the roster has caught a touchdown this season. Tight end Davis Allen is Clemson’s third-leading receiver, and the Tigers haven’t utilized their tight ends a ton in the passing game. Braden Galloway, known more as Clemson’s receiving tight end, has just four catches for 14 yards, and he’s now dealing with concussion. Receivers Frank Ladson (groin) and E.J. Williams (hand/knee) are also dealing with injuries. Blocking on the perimeter has been spotty, too.

Uiagalelei’s inaccuracy at times has played a factor. So has the way defenses have played the Tigers. But Clemson has struggled to get other receivers involved, something that needs to change going forward. Grade: B-

Offensive line

Tackles Jordan McFadden and Walker Parks have been solid on the edges, but it’s been a rough go for Clemson’s retooled group as a whole through five games. With two new starters joining three returning starters — two of which (McFadden and Matt Bockhorst) are transitioning to different positions than they played last season — Clemson has yet to settle on a five it’s comfortable with. The Tigers have already tried three different starting combinations up front, but missed assignments and a lack of push in the running game have plagued the unit.

Clemson ranks 117th nationally in total offense and 83rd in rushing at 146 yards per game, a number that was below 127 on average before last week. The line had perhaps its best performance against Boston College, paving the way for 231 rushing yards and 438 total yards. With Will Putnam injured, the Tigers found maybe their best interior combination with Bockhorst moving back to guard and Hunter Rayburn repping at center.

Bockhorst could go back to left guard (where he played last season) when Putnam returns to the starting lineup on the right side, something Swinney is hopeful will happen when the Tigers return to action at Syracuse. There’s some time to evaluate that with that game not being played until Oct. 15, but the line improved its grade with its latest performance. Grade: C-

Overall

With some new players at key positions, Clemson’s offense has looked borderline dysfunctional at times, performing far below the standard set by many of the Tigers’ offenses over the last decade. Was Boston College a turning-the-corner moment? The offensive line needs to settle on its best five, the running game needs more consistency and Uiagalelei and his receivers need to make plays when they’re there through the air. There’s loads of talent and potential. Now it’s a matter of putting it all together. Grade: C

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Swinney ‘very encouraged’ by offensive line play in win over BC

Clemson’s offensive line has been a work in progress, to say the least. The unit had largely struggled coming into Saturday’s game against Boston College and turned in their best performance of the season during Clemson’s 19-13 victory. “We really …

Clemson’s offensive line has been a work in progress, to say the least.

The unit had largely struggled coming into Saturday’s game against Boston College and turned in their best performance of the season during Clemson’s 19-13 victory.

“We really played well up front,” Dabo Swinney told reporters Monday. “I can’t tell you how proud I was of those guys.”

Leading into this past Saturday’s game, Swinney indicated that Clemson was considering everything in terms of reshuffling things upfront. Instead of pulling a starter from the lineup due to poor play, Will Putnam did not suit up due to a toe injury.

With Putnam sidelined, Clemson reinserted Marcus Tate back into the starting lineup, shifted Matt Bockhorst to right guard and placed Hunter Rayburn at center.

While everyone graded out quite well, Clemson will likely have another different starting combination upfront against Syracuse. Swinney described Putnam as “a little better” and that he’s hopeful that by Sunday, he’ll be able to start practicing again.

While it came at the expense of an unfortunate injury, Clemson’s decision to make a change at center and move Bockhorst back to his natural position of guard, paid off immensely.

“Rayburn man, I was super proud of him,” Swinney said. “He did have that one little series down in the red zone, critical. We had the pick play, that was just a bad play by E.J. (Williams) and then we jumped offsides, and then we had the bad snap. It was like bam, bam, bam, right there in a row. But man, Rayburn played really well. I was super, super proud of him. He had a couple of plays where he got on the edge a little bit, but he was physical. The first time for him to go in there and play that amount of snaps and manage it.”

“Rayburn really did a nice job, really pleased with him,” he added. “I think that’ll be huge for his confidence to have that amount of experience.”

Bockhorst came into the season as Clemson’s most experienced offensive lineman, but the team’s vocal leader’s move to the center position has been inconsistent at best. He turned in his best performance of the season against Boston College.

“Bockhorst was our player of the game,” Swinney said. ‘He was just outstanding. He and Kobe (Pace). Bock was tremendous, by far his best game. (He was) physical, and did a great job of helping Rayburn.”

Overall, Swinney was impressed with what the entire unit was able to do up front all game. Clemson was finally able to run the ball efficiently and effectively. The Tigers gained 231 rushing yards on 40 carries, while D.J. Uiagalelei had ample time in the pocket.

“The whole group really played well. There was a lot of things on tape that was really good to see, that I’m very encouraged by,” Swinney added. “Marcus Tate looked like he took a step forward as well. The game slowed down just a little bit for him. (Jordan) McFadden has been solid as they come all year. The same thing with Walker (Parks), I thought he did a heck of a job for us too.”

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On Putnam’s injury and the offensive line situation going forward

Dabo Swinney remained tightlipped about the injury to one of Clemson’s starting offensive lineman throughout the week. The Tigers’ coach never mentioned Will Putnam’s toe injury leading up to Clemson’s game against Boston College. And Swinney wasn’t …

Dabo Swinney remained tightlipped about the injury to one of Clemson’s starting offensive lineman throughout the week.

The Tigers’ coach never mentioned Will Putnam’s toe injury leading up to Clemson’s game against Boston College. And Swinney wasn’t asked about it given the fact Putnam started and played the whole game last week against North Carolina State just like he usually does at right guard.

But following Clemson’s 19-13 win over the Eagles late Saturday night at Memorial Stadium — a game the Tigers had to play without Putnam — Swinney revealed Putnam sustained the injury on the first series of Clemson’s loss to N.C. State. Yet Putnam never said a word about it despite his foot being “as black and blue as it could be” after that game, Swinney said.

“He couldn’t even walk hardly on Sunday,” Swinney said. “The whole bottom of his foot was black and blue, so he paid the price for it this week.”

Clemson had already made one change on the offensive line against N.C. State, inserting Paul Tchio at left guard in place of freshman Marcus Tate against. Leading up to the Boston College game, Swinney said he was “considering everything” when asked if he was contemplating any other changes to one of the more maligned position groups amid the Tigers’ sluggish start to the season offensively, but Putnam’s injury forced his hand.

With Putnam unavailable, Clemson slid center Matt Bockhorst over to fill in at right guard and plugged Hunter Rayburn in at center. Rayburn competed with Bockhorst throughout fall camp for the starting center job, but his only game reps before Saturday had come at guard. The Tigers also reinserted Tate into the starting lineup at left guard.

The shakeup helped Clemson turn in its best rushing performance of the season against an FBS opponent. The Tigers, which came in ranked 99th nationally in rushing, racked up 231 of their 438 yards on the ground, finishing just 11 yards shy of their top rushing performance through five games (242 against FCS member South Carolina State).

Aided by a 59-yard touchdown run from Kobe Pace — Clemson’s longest play from scrimmage this season, the Tigers averaged 5.8 yards per carry, getting as much push up front as they have all season.

“I thought (Rayburn) did a nice job, and I thought Bock did a great job, moving him over there to right guard with Putnam out,” Swinney said. “On the field, it looked like him and (right tackle) Walker (Parks) did a nice job on some double teams.

“Proud of Rayburn. He’s a young player, and that’s a big moment for him. So hopefully that’s something he can grow from with some confidence. And same thing with Tate.”

The question is, what does the offensive line look like once Putnam returns, particularly on the interior?

Swinney said he expects Putnam to be available again at some point this season, and it could be in time for Clemson’s next game at Syracuse on Oct. 15. An open date before then will give the 6-foot-4, 305-pound junior an extra week to rest, but whenever Putnam returns, he’ll slide back in as the starting right guard.

“Putnam has actually been very consistent for us,” Swinney said. “He’s played well.”

As for which direction the Tigers go at center and left guard, that’s less unclear. Bockhorst started the first four games at center but started every game last season at left guard. The fifth-year senior is also a far more experienced player than Tate and Tchio, who’ve combined for five career starts.

Might Clemson move Bockhorst back to his his more familiar left guard spot once Putnam returns and keep Rayburn at center? Swinney said the Tigers have some time to evaluate all of that.

“It’s nice that we’ll have more experience and a little bit more experienced options as we figure out how we’re going to go, so we’ll look at everything,” he said. “We’ve got an open date to figure out several things that we’re going to have to do from a personnel standpoint to give ourselves a good chance moving forward.”

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Clemson ‘considering everything’ to improve its offensive line

It took just four games for Clemson to make a change on its retooled offensive line, and Dabo Swinney isn’t shutting the door on the possibility of more coming. “We’re considering everything,” Clemson’s coach said. “There ain’t nothing we ain’t …

It took just four games for Clemson to make a change on its retooled offensive line, and Dabo Swinney isn’t shutting the door on the possibility of more coming.

“We’re considering everything,” Clemson’s coach said. “There ain’t nothing we ain’t considering because we’re just not very good right now.”

It’s been a rough start for a unit that began the season with two new starters and a pair of returning starters that are playing different positions than they did a season ago (former guard Matt Bockhorst at center and left tackle Jordan McFadden flipping over from the right side). One of the newbies, true freshman left guard Marcus Tate, was replaced by third-year sophomore Paul Tchio in the starting lineup against North Carolina State.

Fellow sophomore Hunter Rayburn also rotated in at that spot, but Swinney said the coaching staff is continuing to search for the right combination up front after the group again had issues with communication and blocking assignments in the Tigers’ 27-21 double-overtime loss.

The unit was physically overwhelmed by Georgia in the season opener with the Bulldogs holding Clemson to 2 net rushing yards while racking up seven sacks. But while the pass protection has gradually improved (just two sacks allowed since), a consistent lack of push up front still hasn’t given much room for the Tigers’ running backs to operate between the tackles.

No. 19 Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) rushed for just 103 yards against N.C. State and was averaging less than 2 yards per carry before quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei broke free for a 37-yard run late in the fourth quarter. It dropped the Tigers to 98th out of 130 FBS teams in rushing yards (126.2 per game), which is actually one of their better statistical national rankings through four games. Clemson, which has yet to eclipse 14 points in regulation against an FBS foe this season, is 105th in scoring (21.5 points per game), 115th in passing and 121st in total offense.

Tchio is still listed as the starter at left guard heading into Saturday’s game at Boston College (4-0, 0-0), though that’s the only change on the depth chart for now. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said Monday another move the Tigers are contemplating up front is whether or not to move backup tackle Mitchell Mayes inside, a strong indication of how the coaching staff feels about the production — or lack thereof — it’s getting from its interior linemen.

“Tchio did OK. Rayburn got a few plays here and there,” Swinney said. “It’s something we’re constantly evaluating, working on and trying to find the right combination. Just looking for consistency.”

The Tigers are also dealing with attrition in the backfield with Lyn-J Dixon (transfer) and freshman running back Will Shipley (leg injury) both out of the equation for now. Swinney said it will likely be at least a few weeks before Shipley returns, which will force fellow true freshman Phil Mafah into action. Swinney had hoped to be able to redshirt the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, but the attrition has likely taken that option off the table. Mafah is listed as the No. 2 back on this week’s depth chart behind Kobe Pace.

Regardless of who’s getting handoffs, though, they’ll need more help from a line that’s clearly working through some growing pains. But just because Swinney has decided to go with a more experienced player at Tate’s position for the time being doesn’t mean he’s necessarily down on the newcomer.

Swinney compared Tate’s situation to that of one of his former kickers, Chandler Catanzaro, who made just 63% of his field goals as a freshman before leaving Clemson as the program’s all-time leading scorer and kicking five seasons in the NFL.

“We’ve got some kids that are kind of in that situation right now, that when it’s all said and done, the story is done and written, the date is on the other end of the dash and they’re out of here, they’re going to leave their mark,” Swinney said. “A kid like Marcus Tate, he’ll be as good as we’ve had roll through here. He’s going to be a great one.

“Same thing with Tchio and all these guys, these young bucks that are trying and getting their nose bloodied a little bit in the meeting room, on the practice field and in the game.”

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Little things adding up to major breakdowns for Clemson’s offense

Tony Elliott is done with social media for the time being. Clemson’s offensive coordinator is off Twitter and Instagram even if he is technically on both applications. He has accounts that he usually checks from time to time, but Elliott knows …

Tony Elliott is done with social media for the time being.

Clemson’s offensive coordinator is off Twitter and Instagram even if he is technically on both applications. He has accounts that he usually checks from time to time, but Elliott knows there’s plenty of criticism being pointed in his direction given the way the Tigers have performed on that of the ball so far. So he’s chosen to limit his exposure to all of the negativity on the outside.

“That’s kind of their space,” Elliott said of fans’ criticism, “and I’m going to let them have their space.”

One of the perceived knocks on his offense — one that’s averaging just 12.6 points against FBS competition and ranked no better than 99th nationally in rushing, passing, total yards and first downs — is a lack of creativity. Elliott said he knows that because it’s typically the default complaint when any offense isn’t performing up to expectations.

“Well you’ve got to be able to execute the fundamentals first and foremost,” Elliott said.

That’s where the Tigers are having too many breakdowns, Elliott said, which also makes improvement in those areas the top priority as the Tigers try to get things turned around starting Saturday when Boston College visits Memorial Stadium.

“The biggest thing is we’re just out of sync right now,” Elliott said. “It’s 10 guys and then one guy not doing the right thing. Or it’s nine and we’ve got two guys not doing the right thing. Some of that can be attributed to youth. Game speed is a little bit different even though the practice speed is still pretty fast here for us on our practice field, it still happens fast in the game and it takes time to be able to work through those things to be able to anticipate.”

Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei spent part of his meeting with reporters Monday again shouldering the bulk of the blame for the offensive ineptitude after going 12 of 26 for 111 yards and two touchdowns in Clemson’s 27-21 double-overtime loss to North Carolina State over the weekend, but Elliott was quick to point out it’s also on Uiagalelei’s supporting cast, particularly the offensive line, to help make the young quarterback more comfortable. Uiagalelei added 63 yards with his legs against the Wolfpack and was easily the leading rusher for an offense that continues to struggle mightily getting anything on the ground (126.2 rushing yards per game).

The offensive line is still trying to find the right combination. Sophomore Paul Tchio got the start at left guard Saturday in place of true freshman Marcus Tate. Hunter Rayburn also rotated in there, and Elliott said the Tigers are looking at the possibility of moving backup tackle Mitchell Mayes inside to help on the interior.

Whether it be miscommunication along the line, missed blocking assignments or misreads by the backs, the Tigers continue to make fundamental mistakes in games that aren’t necessarily showing up in practice. Elliott said he’s seen improvement in some of those miscues while more have popped up based on the different alignments of each defense the Tigers have seen to this point.

Even receivers’ blocking has been spotty at times when Clemson tries to get the perimeter runs and screen game going, something Elliott said has to be a collective effort when it comes to emphasizing its importance.

“I think where we’ve got to get better is just finishing off blocks,” Elliott said. “I think we initially get things started, but we’ve got to play all the way through the whistle and finish those blocks because that’s what results in those explosive plays. I think of one in particular (against N.C. State) on a screen to (Justyn) Ross. We just threw a bubble out there to Ross, and he makes a jump cut. And if we hold that block a little bit longer, then he’s going to take off and he’s going to run But we don’t, and we get tackled by the ankle.

“We’ve just all got to do a better job of the details, the footwork, the hand placement, the understanding and then just that relentless finish all the way through the whistle. And then just understanding that we have to do a good job as coaches, too, of pointing out to those guys how that extra effort can turn into big plays in the run game.”

For a relatively young offense, it starts with mastering the basics.

“That’s where we’ve got to get better,” Elliott said.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Clemson still working on its depth at this position

As Clemson’s first game against Georgia grew closer in late August, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expressed optimism about the depth being built along the Tigers’ offensive line. There were nine – and as many as 10 – linemen Swinney said he’d be …

As Clemson’s first game against Georgia grew closer in late August, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expressed optimism about the depth being built along the Tigers’ offensive line. There were nine — and as many as 10 — linemen Swinney said he’d be comfortable playing if Clemson had to play a game then.

Fast forward three games into Clemson’s season, and those words haven’t exactly translated onto the field.

The Tigers have played more than 10 offensive linemen in a game, but the only time the count has been that high was their 49-3 rout of FCS member South Carolina State when the lopsided score allowed Clemson to empty its bench. Clemson played just six linemen in that opener against Georgia. And in the Tigers’ great escape against Georgia Tech over the weekend, the starting five logged all 66 offensive snaps.

“Yeah, we’ve got to play more guys,” Swinney said this week.

Some of the depth up front has taken a hit with three backup linemen already done for the season. Tayquon Johnson, John Williams and freshman Dietrick Pennington have all sustained season-ending injuries, but the bulk of Clemson’s top nine up front remains intact.

Hunter Rayburn and Mason Trotter competed throughout camp for the starting center job along with Matt Bockhorst, who slid over from left guard after winning out. Swinney said Rayburn and Trotter were capable of playing guard if that competition didn’t go their way.

But Trotter is dealing with an injury of his own. A broken hand means the sophomore is limited to repping at guard for the time being, but Rayburn is the only one of the two that’s gotten game reps to this point. Paul Tchio, the only lineman outside of the starting five that got in against Georgia, has seen the most playing time of any backup as freshman Marcus Tate’s backup at left guard, though that’s not saying much.

The same could be said for the tackle spots, where Mitchell Mayes and freshman Tristan Leigh have only spared Jordan McFadden and Walker Parks during the S.C. State game. Swinney said he planned on playing more linemen against Tech, but the competitiveness of the game didn’t provide many opportunities to do so.

Still, Swinney said it’s on the coaching staff to find spots to rotate more linemen.

“Being able to get (Trotter) in there some,” Swinney said. “We need to get Rayburn going. Give them some more opportunity and let them see what they can do in some game situations.”

McFadden shared his coach’s sentiment. While Clemson’s senior left tackle said he likes the challenge of playing every snap, he added he has confidence in the depth behind the starting five to perform well. He also acknowledged there’s no better way for some of the younger linemen to develop while simultaneously giving the starters a breather than to get in-game experience.

“The only way to grow is you make mistakes. You have to learn from them,” McFadden said. “So I think once they get in, they’ll see the film and see areas they need to improve. And I think they’ll get better.”

While right guard Will Putnam is the only starter back up front playing the same position he did last season, offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said the group’s collective performance during camp gave the coaching staff hope that it would be further along in its development than it is through three games. But it’s clear there’s plenty of work still to do.

While the group hasn’t allowed a sack since Georgia racked up seven in Week 1, technical breakdowns and missed assignments are still issues at times, particularly in the running game. With their backs not having much room to operate, the Tigers’ 4.02 yards per rush are the fourth-fewest in the ACC.

The bond up front is a work in progress regardless of who’s doing the blocking.

“It’s just taking a little bit of time for the cohesion and chemistry of those guys to come together,” Elliott said. “In the past, we’ve had it happen quickly, but this is a situation where it’s taking a little bit of time. And, as coaches, we’ve got to do a good job of just trying to help them week in and week out as they kind of find their rhythm and cohesion together as a unit of five.”

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!