Joey Galloway – Page 3 – Syndication Server

ESPN analysts react to Clemson’s win over Wake

No. 10 Wake Forest came into Death Valley on Saturday looking to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division title with a win over Clemson. The Tigers had other ideas. Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC) won its 13th consecutive game against Wake Forest (9-2, 6-1), rolling …

No. 10 Wake Forest came into Death Valley on Saturday looking to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division title with a win over Clemson.

The Tigers had other ideas.

Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC) won its 13th consecutive game against Wake Forest (9-2, 6-1), rolling up 543 total yards — including 333 yards on the ground — en route to a 48-27 victory over the Demon Deacons.

“This was an offensive explosion for Clemson,” ESPN analyst Sam Acho said. “333 rushing yards, over 540 total yards.”

Kobe Pace and Will Shipley combined for 303 of those rushing yards and totaled four rushing touchdowns on 43 total carries, averaging 7 yards per attempt between them.

Shipley even got in on the action in the passing game, throwing a 2-yard jump pass TD to Davis Allen for the Tigers, who won their 34th consecutive home game.

“It wasn’t pretty, but that’s a running back throwing a pass, so be excited about that,” ESPN analyst Joey Galloway said.

Among the other offensive highlights for Clemson was D.J. Uiagalelei’s 52-yard completion to Beaux Collins in the first quarter after Uiagalelei evaded a couple of potential sacks in the backfield to get the throw off.

“Stays on his feet, keeps his eyes down the field and throws it up and his receiver makes a play,” Acho said. “That’s what Clemson has been missing — receivers making plays for D.J. U.”

Collins, who also made a spectacular one-handed TD grab in the third quarter, recorded four receptions for 137 yards and the score.

Uiagalelei, Collins’ former high school teammate at St. John Bosco in California, finished 11-of-19 passing for 208 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Meanwhile, Clemson’s defense held Wake Forest’s offense — which entered the game averaging 44.7 points per contest — to a season-low 27 points while racking up seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

“We knew the Wake Forest defense, not very good,” Galloway said. “They had to score a lot of points, which they didn’t do in this game.”

Clemson hopes to carry the momentum from Saturday’s victory into this week’s road matchup against rival South Carolina (6-5, 3-5 SEC).

“All of a sudden, you wake up and Clemson has won four in a row,” Acho said.

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ESPN analysts weigh in on Clemson-Wake matchup

During ESPN’s College Football Playoff: Top 25 show this week, a couple of ESPN analysts weighed in on Saturday’s matchup between Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) and Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0). Although the Demon Deacons checked in at No. 10 in the latest CFP …

During ESPN’s College Football Playoff: Top 25 show this week, a couple of ESPN analysts weighed in on Saturday’s matchup between Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) and Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0).

Although the Demon Deacons checked in at No. 10 in the latest CFP rankings while the Tigers remained unranked, it’s Dabo Swinney’s team that is currently a 4.5-point favorite heading into the noon kickoff at Death Valley.

“Which is surprising to me that Clemson was favored in this game,” ESPN’s Joey Galloway said. “But what (quarterback) Sam Hartman has done with this offense — and especially in their last game against NC State — at the end, having to make plays, having to find ways to go down and score points, stay ahead, was very impressive by Wake Forest. I believe they go beat Clemson this weekend.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that they couldn’t stop a nosebleed,” ESPN’s David Pollack responded, in reference to the Wake Forest defense that ranks 86th nationally in points per game allowed (29.1) and 108th in the FBS in total defense (440.1 yards per game allowed).

“Again, they’re not going to,” Galloway answered back. “That’s not their game plan. They’re going to win 70 to 65.”

Pollack added that he believes Clemson’s defensive line could cause problems for Wake Forest’s offense, which relies on its read-option and RPO delayed mesh.

“Here’s what I’ll say about Wake Forest,” Pollack said. “I think Wake Forest can score on anybody. I would love to see them against a good defensive line. Clemson might present that challenge for them with them messing up that mesh point, that slow-play offense. I think it will take everything Wake’s got to win this weekend.”

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Were expectations too high for Clemson? ESPN analysts weigh in

On ESPN’s College Football Live, a couple of ESPN analysts discussed whether there were unrealistic expectations for Clemson entering the 2021 season given the departures of key players like Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Here’s what Greg …

On ESPN’s College Football Live, a couple of ESPN analysts discussed whether there were unrealistic expectations for Clemson entering the 2021 season given the departures of key players like Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Here’s what Greg McElroy and Joey Galloway had to say about whether expectations were too high for the Tigers, despite the fact that a talented quarterback was taking over for Lawrence in D.J. Uiagalelei:

McElroy: “Yeah, probably. And I think it wasn’t just Trevor Lawrence — I think it was Travis Etienne. I think that there was a presence at wide receiver that’s not there right now. I think that there’s an awful lot on this Clemson team that has really kind of faced some adversity that they haven’t seen in the past. They’ve also lost two of their best interior defensive linemen for the season. Bryan Bresee is now out with a knee injury, we saw (Tyler) Davis out with the biceps. So, they’ve had some adversity that they’re not really used to. So, they’ve kind of been the product of what’s been somewhat difficult circumstances. Not saying it’s an excuse, just saying they’ve been dealt a bad hand and haven’t responded as wonderfully as they have in years past. So, I think the expectations were probably a little bit too high. But at the same time, this is a team that has overcome mass departures in the past only to have the same result.”

Galloway: “It’s the past and where they’ve set the bar is why we expected them to continue to roll. We expect it out of Alabama every single season, no matter who leaves. We expect it out of Ohio State, no matter who leaves. We expect it out of teams like Clemson, no matter who leaves. We expect these teams to continue to roll, and it’s because they set the bar that high in what they’ve been able to do. When it doesn’t look the same, we’re all shaking our heads, like what happened, what’s going on here?”

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ESPN analysts react to Clemson’s loss to NC State

A few ESPN analysts gave their reactions to Clemson’s 27-21 loss to NC State in double-overtime on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. During College Football Final, Matt Barrie, Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer discussed the Tigers’ upset …

A few ESPN analysts gave their reactions to Clemson’s 27-21 loss to NC State in double-overtime on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

During College Football Final, Matt Barrie, Joey Galloway and Jesse Palmer discussed the Tigers’ upset loss – which snapped their 36-game winning streak against unranked opponents – and talked about what’s gone wrong for quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and company through the first four games of this season.

“This has been building up with this Clemson team,” Galloway said. “We don’t really know what they are and why they’ve struggled, especially on the offensive side. Defense has been pretty good until (Saturday).

“But if you look at Clemson, against Georgia, great defense. It was like OK, that’s Georgia. Then it’s been South Carolina State, then it’s been Georgia Tech and NC State in this game. Clemson is last in the ACC in (total) yards per game (295.5), they’re last in the ACC in points per game (21.8). D.J. U doesn’t have a 200-yard passing game. (Will) Shipley doesn’t have a hundred-yard rushing game and Justyn Ross doesn’t have a hundred-yard receiving game.”

This marks the first time that Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) has suffered two losses in September since 2014, when the Tigers fell to Georgia and Florida State.

After Saturday’s action around college football, the Tigers currently rank 105th among FBS programs in scoring offense (21.8 points per game), 99th nationally in rushing offense (126.25 rushing yards per game), 115th nationally in passing offense (169.3 passing yards per game) and 121st nationally in total offense (295.5 total yards per game).

“They literally look like they don’t understand at times,” Galloway said of Clemson’s offense. “We talked about Oklahoma being off schedule. That’s the way Clemson has looked early in this season where it looks like they’re just not clicking on all cylinders, as if they don’t understand the defensive looks they’re getting or something. It is completely off. That’s how you get two losses in September. But it is amazing what Clemson has looked like through four games with the amount of talent they have. To not have anybody have a big game in that schedule, four games, is amazing.”

Through four games, Uiagalelei is averaging 146.5 passing yards per game and has thrown for three touchdowns with three interceptions.

Not only was Saturday’s loss painful for the Tigers on the scoreboard, but it was painful from an injury standpoint as well.

“The scary part, too, they’ve got a lot of their impact players injured,” Palmer said. “In this loss against NC State, we saw Bryan Bresee up front, a D-tackle, go down. James Skalski went down again, a linebacker, a leader on that defense. And Will Shipley, he’s been one of the few bright spots for this offense early this year. He went down as well. I think D.J. U is just missing guys. He’s got guys open, he’s just missing them.”

Following the loss to NC State, Clemson now just has an eight-percent chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN’s FPI.

“I think Clemson now at this point, you can put them aside for the year in terms of the playoff, then see what they do towards the end of the season,” Barrie said.

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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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Do ESPN analysts still think FSU can make noise in the ACC?

On College Football Live this week, ESPN college football analysts Greg McElroy and Joey Galloway discussed whether they still believe in the Florida State Seminoles following their gut-wrenching loss to FCS team Jacksonville State last Saturday in …

On College Football Live this week, ESPN college football analysts Greg McElroy and Joey Galloway discussed whether they still believe in the Florida State Seminoles following their gut-wrenching loss to FCS team Jacksonville State last Saturday in Tallahassee.

Former Clemson quarterback Zerrick Cooper threw a 59-yard touchdown pass as time expired to give the Jacksonville State Gamecocks a 20-17 victory over the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Despite the agonizing defeat, McElroy still believes FSU can make some noise in the ACC moving forward.

Up next for the Noles is a trip to Wake Forest for a 3:30 p.m. game against the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem on Saturday.

“We’re going to learn a lot this week. But yes, I think there’s things to look at this team and feel somewhat positive about,” McElroy said. “Now, last week was an embarrassingly bad performance. They have to respect the opposition regardless of what level the opposition plays at. And granted, yes, FBS should never lose to an FCS team. You’re Florida State.

“However, in Week 1, I thought they did a pretty dang good job against a solid offensive and defensive line for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and I think that’s been the biggest point of concern, for me, is that line of scrimmage. So, I’m still cautiously optimistic, in a down ACC, Florida State can make a little bit of noise throughout the rest of the season.”

Galloway didn’t necessarily agree with McElroy.

“Very kind of you, Greg. I don’t know that I’m with you there,” Galloway said. “I don’t think they’re as bad as they played on Saturday to lose to Jacksonville State. I think if these two teams played 10 times, Florida State probably wins nine of them — and if they figure out how to play prevent defense at the end of a football game, they might win that one.

“But I don’t know if there’s enough there that I feel good about. They have to start finishing some of these games and find ways to win games. Because then that’s when your players start to feel better about what you’re doing, and until you do that, then you just have a nasty taste in your mouth, especially when you go and lose these kind of games.”

Clemson and FSU are scheduled to play on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Death Valley after not meeting in 2020 after FSU’s administration canceled the scheduled game in November three hours before kickoff.

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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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ESPN analyst makes prediction for Clemson-UGA

On ESPN’s College Football Live Special: Schedule Breakdown, analysts Joey Galloway and David Pollack discussed Clemson’s projected win total for the 2021 regular season and whether they think the Tigers will be over or under it. According to ESPN’s …

According to ESPN’s FPI, Clemson has a projected win total of 11.5. So, either the Tigers will have a perfect 12-0 regular season and be over that total, or they will be under it if they lose a game.

Galloway went on record saying he thinks Clemson will lose to Georgia in the season opener in Charlotte on Sept. 4 and thus is taking the under.

“They’re going to lose to Georgia. I’m going to go ahead and take the Bulldogs to win that game,” Galloway said. “So, the number was 11.5? Then I’m going under.”

“It’s not Clemson’s fault that the ACC is terrible, but that is what it is,” Galloway added regarding Clemson’s schedule. “They have one game on their schedule that we looked at and said this is the game they can lose, and I think they’re going to lose it.”

Pollack, meanwhile, called Clemson-UGA a “coin-flip game.”

“Both teams are really talented,” he said. “Here’s the thing. Here’s what stinks about college football and what we’re looking at. The rest of that schedule? I know what they’re going to do. … NC State might be the next-toughest game for them I think.”

“They’ll be double-digit favorites probably in every other game,” he added.

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ESPN analysts discuss significance of Clemson-UGA game

On ESPN’s College Football Live: Schedule Breakdown Special, ESPN college football analysts David Pollack and Joey Galloway weighed in on the significance of the marquee Week 1 showdown featuring Clemson and Georgia in Charlotte on Sept. 4. The …

The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll that was released earlier this week, while the Bulldogs check in at No. 5. Clemson is seeking its seventh straight College Football Playoff appearance, while UGA hopes to make the playoff for the first time since 2017.

Citing the respective schedules for Clemson and UGA, Pollack believes the season opener between the Tigers and Bulldogs is a bit more important for the latter.

“If you look at it from Georgia’s perspective, I think it’s the season,” Pollack said. “Your mulligan’s gone if you lose Week 1 to Clemson. You know your schedule’s going to be extremely tough, you know you’re rated really highly. But JT Daniels and this offense are going to come out blazing Week 1 because if you lose this game, you’re telling me you’re going to run the rest of the schedule, beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game or whoever you face? It’s going to be a very tough task.

“Clemson? I don’t see a loss on their schedule regardless. If you can find me one, find me one. But I think for Georgia, it’s a little bit more significant.”

Galloway agreed, adding that if the Tigers can get past the Dawgs, they can run the table the rest of the way with quarterback DJ Uiagalelei at the helm, though he wants to see more athleticism from Clemson defensively.

“When you look at Clemson’s situation, they need to get more athletic on the defensive side of the football,” he said. “Trevor Lawrence is gone, obviously, but DJ steps into the position. We’ve seen him play before, we know he’s talented. So, Clemson is in a position that if they win this game, you’re right – they don’t have another loss on that schedule unless they just slip up somewhere along the way.

“Georgia needs to get off to a good start. Everyone believes Georgia’s a very talented football team all the way around with JT Daniels. Getting off to a great start, going 1-0 against a Clemson team could mean a lot to their season getting going in the right direction.”

Galloway was asked whether a loss would be more detrimental to Clemson or UGA.

“A loss would probably hurt Clemson more because then they won’t have a signature win to get later on if they need one,” he said. “Now, in the past seasons they haven’t really needed one. The ACC hasn’t been very good. They just haven’t needed that signature win. But if things fall into place and a lot of teams go undefeated … Say the Pac-12 produces an undefeated conference champ, the Big 12 maybe does the same, the Big Ten does the same, then for Clemson, you need a signature win. If they beat Georgia, they have one.”

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