Tag: jesse palmer

ESPN analysts react to Clemson’s narrow win over Georgia Tech

On ESPN’s College Football Final show, host Matt Barrie and analysts Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer talked about sixth-ranked Clemson’s narrow 14-8 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday at Death Valley. The Tigers improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in the ACC …

On ESPN’s College Football Final show, host Matt Barrie and analysts Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer talked about sixth-ranked Clemson’s narrow 14-8 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday at Death Valley.

The Tigers improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in the ACC despite a modest performance from quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who went 18-of-25 passing for 126 yards with no touchdowns through the air or on the ground, though he did rush eight times for 46 yards.

“He has really been struggling throwing the ball early this year, missing a lot of open receivers,” Palmer said. “Only 126 passing yards in this game.”

The Tigers, though, benefited from a strong rushing performance by freshman running back Will Shipley.

The former five-star prospect from Weddington (N.C.) High School recorded career highs in rushing attempts (21) and rushing yards (88) and tied his career high with two rushing touchdowns — Clemson’s only two scores of the game against Georgia Tech.

After recording his first two career touchdowns against South Carolina State on Sept. 11, Shipley became the first Clemson player to rush for multiple touchdowns in multiple games as a true freshman since Travis Etienne (three) in 2017.

“One of the best running backs in the country coming out of high school,” Galloway said. “They need everything they get on the ground because they have not been throwing the ball well.”

While Clemson’s offense continued to struggle on Saturday against the Yellow Jackets, the Tigers’ defense remained stout.

Clemson has now held three consecutive offenses without a touchdown for the first time since 1990 (Appalachian State, Duke and Georgia).

Per data available through Sports Reference, Clemson joined 2007 Iowa, 2008 Iowa and 2012 Florida State as the fourth team since 2000 to open the first three games of a season without allowing an offensive touchdown.

“Even though the offense is struggling, this is still one of the best defenses in the country,” Palmer said. “They’ve not allowed a touchdown yet this year.”

After surviving a test from Georgia Tech, Clemson will return to action this coming Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. road game against NC State in Raleigh, N.C.

“A win is a win is a win, I guess,” Barrie said.

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ESPN analysts react to Clemson’s win over SC State

On ESPN’s College Football Final, analysts Jesse Palmer and Joey Galloway, as well as show host Matt Barrie, reacted to Clemson’s 49-3 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday at Death Valley. After being held to just a field goal in the …

On ESPN’s College Football Final, analysts Jesse Palmer and Joey Galloway, as well as show host Matt Barrie, reacted to Clemson’s 49-3 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday at Death Valley.

After being held to just a field goal in the season-opening 10-3 loss to Georgia on Sept. 4, the Tigers marched right down the field on their opening possession against SC State.

Clemson (1-1) scored its first touchdown of the season on a 4-yard run by quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei to take a 7-0 lead and never looked back.

“It was important for this offense to get going,” Palmer said, “and on their very first drive, they go nine plays, 72 yards.”

Freshman running back Will Shipley made the score 14-0 with a 7-yard rushing touchdown at the 7:20 mark of the first quarter and later added 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

It marked the first two collegiate touchdowns for Shipley, who finished with a team-high 80 yards on eight carries.

“You know what I say about Clemson — when in doubt, give it to Will Shipley,” Barrie said.

Clemson rushed for five touchdowns against SC State, its most in a game since 2019 at NC State (five), and totaled 242 yards on the ground while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

“They ran the ball well in this game,” Galloway said. “Seven guys had multiple carries in this game. They spread it around.”

Clemson star wide receiver Justyn Ross got in on the fun late in the first quarter when he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Uiagalelei.

Ross racked up a team-best 52 yards receiving and a touchdown on three catches.

“You like seeing this,” Palmer said. “Justyn Ross missed last year with a spine injury. It’s good to see Tony Elliott and this offense getting him going.”

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ESPN analysts weigh in on Clemson’s loss to UGA

During ESPN’s College Football Final show, analysts Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer commented on third-ranked Clemson’s 10-3 loss to No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night. Clemson quarterback D.J. …

During ESPN’s College Football Final show, analysts Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer commented on third-ranked Clemson’s 10-3 loss to No. 5 Georgia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night.

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was sacked seven times — the most sacks the Tigers have allowed in a game under Dabo Swinney.

“This is the story of the game,” Palmer said. “Clemson could not protect D.J. U — seven sacks for the Bulldogs.”

“It’s an offensive line for Clemson that returns four starters, so you expected them to be able to hold up a little bit more,” Palmer added. “But it didn’t matter if Georgia was rushing three, four, if they were blitzing linebackers and safeties — it just seemed like [Georgia head coach] Kirby Smart and that defensive staff, they were always one step ahead.”

Added Galloway: “Every single time you saw a sack, the offensive line looked at one another, like what are we going to do about this, and they had no answer.”

The turning point in the game came late in the second quarter when Georgia’s Christopher Smith jumped in front of a Uiagalelei pass intended for Justyn Ross and intercepted it before taking it to the house for a 74-yard pick-six.

It gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 2:58 left before halftime, and that’s all the points they would end up needing.

“Clemson’s defense was keeping them in this game,” Palmer said. “Georgia only had 256 yards of offense, but they needed a defensive play to steal the momentum. Christopher Smith did that just there.”

“You see some confusion,” Galloway added of Uiagalelei’s interception. “So, he has time to throw this one. Didn’t have much time all night. He has time to throw this one. Didn’t read the coverage, didn’t see the safety, stared down his receiver. Georgia made him pay.”

Although Clemson has 11 games left in the regular season, Palmer sees its season-opening loss to UGA as a “huge hit” to the ACC’s chances of making the College Football Playoff, with North Carolina and Miami having already lost to Virginia Tech and Alabama, respectively, and without a true marquee game left on Clemson’s schedule.

“If you’re Clemson, where’s the statement win left on the schedule?” Palmer said. “NC State, Boston College, Wake Forest? They’re not playing UNC or Miami, but we already know now those two teams shouldn’t be in the discussion. So, a huge hit for the conference’s chances of getting in the College Football Playoff.”

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Adam Gase endorses Sam Darnold’s offseason QB guru

Jets head coach Adam Gase is pleased with the work Sam Darnold has been putting in with quarterback guru Jesse Palmer this offseason.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not prevented Jets quarterback Sam Darnold from doing everything in his power to make sure he is ready for 2020.

Darnold has spent most of the offseason working out with former NFL signal-caller Jordan Palmer, who has become one of the more renowned quarterback trainers in the industry following his playing days. The two have been working together for years, with Palmer serving as Darnold’s trainer during his pre-draft process in 2018. Palmer has remained in the picture as a go-to mentor and trainer for Darnold ever since.

Although Darnold and Palmer’s work has its differences from the training regimen the Jets have in place for him when team facilities are accessible, their individual workouts also feature what the Jets want him to work on. With the dialogue between Darnold, Palmer and the Jets regarding Darnold’s development remaining open, head coach Adam Gase is pleased with the work his third-year quarterback has been putting in this offseason.

“Sam does a really good job of hitting Dowell [Loggains] and myself up before he hits the summer,” Gase said on Friday. “Jordan does a good job of working with him on the things he wants to work on and some of the things we want to implement as well.”

Darnold and Palmer’s work this offseason dates back to when California put social distancing orders in place. In May, Darnold and Palmer hit the field with Redskins quarterback Kyle Allen for a training session that Palmer shared on his Instagram story.

Darnold and Palmer also hit the beach earlier this month with the focus being on improving Darnold’s footwork.

It’s good news that Darnold, Palmer and the Jets are all on the same page regarding what Darnold needs to work on in order to become a top-flight quarterback. Sometimes things get messy between trainers and organizations, as the trainer might have something different in mind for the player’s training than the team. That does not seem to be the case here.

Darnold has been putting in the work necessary to get where he wants to be following an up-and-down first two seasons in the NFL. Assuming Darnold can translate his offseason progress to success on the field, year three could be a special one for the California kid.