Home runs power Clemson past South Carolina for second straight day

Will Taylor, Nolan Nawrocki, and Blake Wright hit home runs, and Clemson held off a ninth-inning rally from South Carolina to defeat the Gamecocks, 5-4, in the Palmetto Series Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Will Taylor, Nolan Nawrocki, and Blake Wright hit home runs, and Clemson held off a ninth-inning rally to defeat South Carolina, 5-4, in the Palmetto Series Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The Tigers (9-1 overall) won both contests of this weekend’s series by identical scores.

“I’m proud of our guys and proud of the way we competed the past two days,” Clemson coach Erik Bakich said afterwards. “It goes back to two heavyweight punches. We were just one run better again. I thought we competed really well and got some big hits again.”

In this one, they had to come from behind after Cole Messina’s two-run first inning home run off Clemson starter Aiden Knaak staked the Gamecocks to a quick 2-0 lead.

The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Taylor went deep off South Carolina starter Dylan Eskew to cut the lead to 2-1. It was the fourth home run in the past week for Taylor, who went deep three times in Tuesday’s Clemson win over SC Upstate.

Dylan Brewer, the former Tiger who spent three seasons at Clemson, singled down the right field line in the third to extend the Gamecocks’ lead to 3-1 in the third inning.

Clemson tied the game in the fourth. Jimmy Obertop grounded to the left side of the infield to score Taylor and cut the lead to 3-2. Andrew Ciufo then followed with a two-out soft single that dropped into right field to score Blake Wright from second and even the game at 3-apiece.

“We played the game. Get ’em on, get ’em over, get ’em in,” Bakich said.

In the sixth, Nawrocki gave Clemson the lead at 4-3 when he turned on a fastball from Roman Kimball and sent it well over the left field fence.

South Carolina threatened in the seventh, but Nick Clayton struck out Messina to end the inning and strand the potential tying run at third.

When Wright homered off Kimball to lead off the eighth on a deep drive just to the left of straight-away center field, it gave the Tigers an insurance run and made the score 5-3.

Austin Gordon came on to work the ninth inning and allowed a two-out solo home run to Ethan Petry that made it a one-run game. Messina followed with a walk after being behind 0-2 in the count before Gordon got Talmadge LeCroy to ground to third for the final out.

“Ninth innings are tough. They never go 1-2-3,” Bakich said. “It was only fitting that there was some drama in the ninth, but ultimately I loved the way our guys competed and that we clinched the series.”

Drew Titsworth (1-0) earned the win in relief for Clemson, tossing 1 1/3 innings of shutout ball. The Tigers used four pitchers in relief of starter Aiden Knaak, who allowed three runs on four hits in five innings. Knaak got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning when he coaxed Brewer on a fly ball to left before facing the minimum three batters in the fifth.

Clayton recorded four outs and got out of a couple of key jams. The senior right-hander ran into trouble in the eighth inning when he issued a pair of walks to put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base for Will Tippett. Matthew Marchal entered in relief and got Tippett to fly out to third base to end the threat.

The Gamecocks (8-3) left 11 runners on base Sunday and managed only one hit after the fourth inning.

“The situational pitching throughout the game was really good,” Bakich noted. “Aiden Knaak battled and then Drew Titsworth came in and was really good. Nick Clayton… to strand the runner at third with their two dudes up, Petry and Messina, to get a groundout and a strikeout there, that was big time.”

Kimball (1-1) suffered the loss in 3 1/3 innings of relief.

Dylan Eskew started for South Carolina and pitched 3 2/3 innings. Eskew allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits. He struck out four and walked one.

UP NEXT: Clemson will host Kansas State Wednesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast by ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

Swinney dishes on Will Taylor’s decision to commit to baseball

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said that Will Taylor’s decision to commit to baseball full-time was “definitely the right choice.”

If his former coach’s comments are any indication, there is no ill will toward Will Taylor leaving the Clemson football program.

After two years of being a dual-sport athlete, Taylor announced on July 12 that he was leaving the football team to pursue his passion for baseball full-time.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said the decision to focus on baseball “was definitely the right choice” for Taylor.

“I think we all knew that long term, that was going to be his future,” Swinney said. “Will wants to be a first-round draft pick, and he really felt like this is what he needed to concentrate on this fall. I love that kid, and hopefully, he’ll just come over here and sit around and hang out with us some because he’s just one of those guys you love being around.

“He wouldn’t give anything for the experience he’s gotten; this is what he wanted. He wanted the college experience, and not many guys have the ability to play one sport, much less two. And (he got) to be a champion in both sports.”

Taylor came to Clemson in 2021 and immediately earned playing time as a punt returner before a torn ACL derailed his freshman season. He finished his career as a wide receiver with seven receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 16 punts in his career for an average of 5.63 yards per return.

“Obviously, it didn’t go quite according to script — it rarely does —but he got off to a really good start and was really kind of on his way,” Swinney said.

As Swinney mentioned, Taylor won an ACC championship in two different sports this past academic year, the first Clemson athlete to do so since 1991-92.

While Taylor didn’t find his footing on the football field, he shined on the diamond this past spring, hitting .362 with 67 runs, 16 doubles, two triples and five homers in 62 games (60 starts). He was also fourth in the ACC in on-base percentage at .489.

With Taylor’s commitment to baseball, Clemson’s wide receiver room consists of Beaux Collins, Adam Randall, Antonio Williams and Cole Turner, among others.

pic.twitter.com/vnN2gYiFjf

— Will Taylor (@willtaylor_10) July 12, 2023

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Swinney provides injury updates on Kobe Pace, Will Taylor

Follwing Clemson’s win over Louisville, head coach Dabo Swinney updated the status of a backup running back and gave an injury update on a sophomore receiver. Swinney said junior running back Kobe Pace, who’s been making progress from a high ankle …

Follwing Clemson’s win over Louisville, head coach Dabo Swinney updated the status of a backup running back and gave an injury update on a sophomore receiver.

Swinney said junior running back Kobe Pace, who’s been making progress from a high ankle sprain that’s kept him out of the last five games, wasn’t 100 percent but was close to playing against Louisville. He could have entered the game at the end, according to Swinney, who wanted to hold him out and not risk it.

Receiver Will Taylor missed Saturday’s game with a “small meniscus” injury according to Swinney, who said Taylor will be out for a couple of weeks and may have to have the knee cleaned up with surgery.

Swinney believes it’s the same knee as his surgically repaired ACL.

Swinney also provided injury updates on Trenton Simpson, Walker Parks, Beaux Collins and Tyler Venables after the Louisville game.

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 to be without multiple key starters vs. Louisville

Clemson will have to make do against Louisville without multiple key contributors.

Clemson will have to manage without multiple starting players on Saturday.

Facing off against Louisville in Memorial Stadium, the Tigers will be without starting right guard Walker Parks and starting linebacker Trenton Simpson, as both are expected to be unavailable.

Parks has been an instrumental part of the Tigers’ offensive line, starting at right guard, while Simpson is one of the leaders of the defense and has a team-high 57 total tackles this season.

Wide receiver/punt returner Will Taylor, cornerback Fred Davis II and defensive end Xavier Thomas will also not play.

As the Tigers look to capture their ninth win of the season on Saturday, other players will have to step up and fill the shoes of those who don’t play.

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Five Clemson players to keep an eye on against Florida State

Here are five Tigers that fans should watch carefully during Clemson’s game with Florida State on Saturday.

No. 4 Clemson takes on Florida State on Saturday, and multiple Tigers will be under the spotlight when the two teams kick off at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Heading into Week 7, Clemson (6-0) leads the pack in the Atlantic Divison, with Florida State (4-2) not too far behind.

The Tigers have won the past six matchups, but winning this road game in Tallahassee, Fla., will be no easy task.

Last year, Clemson defeated the Seminoles by 10 points — a score that was not reflective of how poor head coach Dabo Swinney thought his team played.

“I wanted to vomit watching the Florida State game last year,” Swinney said on Tuesday. “It was so painful to watch it. We were so bad. We won, which was a miracle, but we were so bad.”

Swinney and the Tigers will look to rectify that performance on Saturday, and here are some Clemson players to keep a closer eye on during the game.

A week of re-evaluation looming for Clemson’s punt returners

Clemson used a couple of receivers to return punts Saturday night. That approach had mixed results. Will Taylor and Antonio Williams both took their shot at returning punts in the Tigers’ win over Boston College. At times, Taylor was by himself …

Clemson used a couple of receivers to return punts Saturday night. That approach had mixed results.

Will Taylor and Antonio Williams both took their shot at returning punts in the Tigers’ win over Boston College. At times, Taylor was by himself fielding punts. Other times, Williams was the lone man back. And on a few occasions, the Tigers used both at the same time to increase their odds of a return regardless of which side of the field the Eagles targeted with their punts.

Taylor has been the primary returner for most of the season, returning to a role in which he served last season as a true freshman before a knee injury cut it short. But Taylor has averaged just 2.3 yards per return.

On Saturday, he unintentionally let the ball hit the ground with a couple of muffed punts, though the first one wasn’t all his fault. One of Taylor’s teammates ran into him as he tried to field a punt midway through the second quarter. Taylor ran down the loose ball to save possession for the Tigers.

In the second half, Taylor simply dropped another. He jumped on that loose ball, too, but lost 10 yards on those two plays.

“He’s back there because we trust him,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said of Taylor. “And we still trust him. But we’re very, very fortunate that we were able to get those balls.”

Williams’ two returns were much more fruitful for the Tigers, including one that went for 20 yards to spark Clemson late in the second quarter. It set the offense up with its second-best starting field position of the night at Boston College’s 28-yard line, and the Tigers scored on their ensuing drive to take a 10-3 lead that they never relinquished.

Swinney said he will use practice this week to re-evaluate Taylor and Williams before making a decision on whether or not to use one or both of them in that role when Clemson travels to Florida State on Saturday.

“Just like every week, you evaluate the game, what you see, go back to work and make decisions through the week,” he said.

The good, the bad and the ugly from Clemson’s win over Furman

Clemson’s fast start was enough for the Tigers to keep their distance from Furman for a comfortable win Saturday at Memorial Stadium, but the Tigers were far from flawless against the in-state FCS opponent. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from …

Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Tigers’ 35-12 victory:

The good

The last time Clemson played an FCS opponent before Saturday, D.J. Uiagalelei completed just 58% of his passes. Against Furman, his completion rate was nearly 20 percentage points higher.

Simply put, it’s been a while since Uiagalelei has shown as much precision and fluidity throwing the ball in a game as he did this weekend.

Building on his final three quarters against Georgia Tech, Uiagalelei started fast against the Paladins and stayed on the mark far more often than not. He hit on his first six passes, 12 of his first 13 and was 15 of 18 by halftime. Clemson found the end zone on each of the first five possessions led by Uiagalelei, who completed five third-down throws on four of those drives to keep them alive. Uiagalelei often stepped up in the pocket as he went through his progressions, and he used touch when he had to. His drop in the bucket over the shoulder of Beaux Collins for Clemson’s fourth touchdown was a thing of beauty.

By the time he was done, Uiagalelei was 21 of 27 passing for 231 yards. He’s completing 67% of his passes through two games, which is more along the lines of the kind of efficiency Clemson needs from him if it’s going to get back to being a College Football Playoff contender this season.

“Proud of D.J.,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Just awesome to see him play the way he’s playing.”

Uiagalelei also got more help from his starting receivers, who combined for just four catches against Georgia Tech. They weren’t perfect – E.J. Williams had a couple of notable drops – but Collins, Williams, Joseph Ngata and Brannon Spector combined for 14 receptions. True freshman Antonio Williams, who tied Collins for the team lead with four catches, also continues to be a factor in the passing game.

The offense also got more assistance from a running game that averaged just 3 yards per carry in the opener. The offensive line opened up more holes up front, and Will Shipley, who went for 68 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, led a group of rushers that averaged 5.3 yards a tote this time around.

Defensively, the Tigers forced multiple turnovers for the first time this season, one of which ended a Furman scoring threat in the red zone during the first half. Clemson improved to 115-14 under Dabo Swinney when at least tying the turnover margin.

The bad

As improved as Uiagalelei has been so far this season in the accuracy department, he’s yet to play turnover-free football.

After losing a red-zone fumble against Georgia Tech, Uiagalelei was intercepted late in the third quarter when he threw in the direction of Brannon Spector. Uiagalelei, Swinney and offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter all agreed it was a poor decision on the quarterback’s part to try to force that pass with coverage coming in underneath, which led to a tipped ball and the pick. Uiagalelei hasn’t had many decision-making miscues through two games, but that’s one he’d like to have back.

Will Taylor later muffed a punt near midfield, and Clemson needed a goal-line stand afterward to keep Furman from scoring more points. It was part of a sluggish second half for the Tigers, who mustered just 14 yards of offense in the fourth quarter and went the final 25 minutes, 8 seconds without scoring. It didn’t help that Clemson’s defense was on the field for more than 34 minutes of game time.

“We definitely would love to have gone down there and gotten a couple of more scores in. Of course. And had more yards and all of that,” Streeter said. “Wished we could’ve gotten more guys in the game, but it was just one of those games right there where we had to play, a majority of the time, our first group. But it was good work for them as well.”

Speaking of defense…

The ugly

What exactly was that from Wesley Goodwin’s unit?

After suffocating Georgia Tech for the better part of the Tigers’ 41-10 win on Labor Day, the Tigers didn’t come close to duplicating that success despite having a distinct advantage in size, speed and athleticism. Behind the play of quarterback Tyler Huff, who completed his first 12 passes, Furman (384) outgained Clemson (376) in total yards. The Tigers’ offense, which had just two possessions apiece in the first and fourth quarters, ran just 59 plays in large part because the defense couldn’t get off the field.

Furman converted a whopping 10 of 18 third downs usually with chunk plays through the air. In particular, the Paladins dialed up multiple screen passes with Clemson seemingly making few adjustments to it. Huff finished 30 of 39 passing as Furman averaged nearly 9 yards per completion.

“I don’t remember the last time someone was 10 of 18 on third down on us,” Swinney said. “We did not play anywhere near what we need to defensively. So that was frustrating.”

Swinney also mentioned coverage that was too loose at times in the secondary. Furman didn’t do much on the ground (3.7 yards per carry), but the pass defense left a lot to be desired.

Defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin chalked some of it up to his group being too aggressive and overpursuing at times, particularly on some of those screens. But it was an uncharacteristic performance that won’t cut it against the better teams on Clemson’s schedule.

“A lot of things to clean up obviously,” Goodwin said.

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

What We Heard: Will Taylor

Wide receiver Will Taylor spoke to media on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s game against Furman. Taylor, who caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik against Georgia Tech, was candid about coming back from a torn ACL and how the …

Wide receiver Will Taylor spoke to media on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s game against Furman.

Taylor, who caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik against Georgia Tech, was candid about coming back from a torn ACL and how the severity of the injury made that touchdown special.

“It was a very special moment for me and my family,” he said. “It has been a long 10-month process, so for me I was just ready to get back out there and compete at a high level. And more than anything, just thankful to be out there, compete and be healthy.”

With a Monday night game, it is a quicker-than-usual turnaround for the Tigers this week. However, Taylor expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the opening game in Death Valley.

“It’s been a while for me since I have been able to play a game in Death Valley,” he said. “I’m excited to get back out there and just be back in front of our great fan base, get back out there with my brothers.”

Taylor suffered a season-ending ACL injury last season when Clemson faced Boston College. Taylor reflected on the 10-month recovery and how influential it was to speak to others players on the team who had endured that same recovery process.

“I talked to a bunch of guys who went through the same process, and that’s part of it,” he said. “That’s part of life, and you need to learn from it and move on. It ended up being good in the end.”

He also noted that he talked with Amari Rodgers, who gave him advice about coming back from an ACL injury. Taylor leaned on his teammates with the similar recovery experiences to help aid him in his own process.

Taylor also reflected on the special relationship he shares with freshman wide receiver Antonio Williams, who was prep teammates with Taylor at Dutch Fork High School. Taylor expressed the gratitude he has to be able to compete alongside Williams at the slot receiver position.

“I actually enjoy it because he teaches me a lot,” he said. “It’s my first year playing receiver, and I kind of watch him, how he does things and the way he runs routes. Because that’s the way it should be done.

“The way he moves his body and influences the type of routes. His speed is like no other. He’s got a special tool in his speed. Not many people who play football have what he’s got. He’s going to be really special when he leaves here and the rest of the year.”

Taylor was positive about the Clemson offense and both D.J. Uiagalelei and Klubnik’s performances on Monday night. Taylor felt that what he saw in camp reflected in both of their performances versus Georgia Tech.

“D.J. and Cade, I thought they had a really good night,” he said. “That’s what I expected. That’s what we have been seeing all month during camp, and it was just like practice.”

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

Return to football a ‘special moment’ for Taylor, family

Nearly 11 months later, the ending was a vastly different one for Will Taylor. On his final play of the 2021 football season, Clemson’s redshirt freshman receiver went down in a heap after injuring his right knee against Boston College in early …

Nearly 11 months later, the ending was a vastly different one for Will Taylor.

On his final play of the 2021 football season, Clemson’s redshirt freshman receiver went down in a heap after injuring his right knee against Boston College in early October. An MRI later confirmed a torn ACL for Taylor, whose first season as a Tiger lasted just five games.

On Monday night, Taylor was back.

Taylor, a two-sport standout for the Tigers, returned from his injury this spring with the baseball team, but Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech was his first time playing a football game in nearly a year. Taylor didn’t stuff the stat sheet, but that wasn’t the point.

“It was a very special moment for me and my family,” Taylor said. “It’s been a long 10-month process. For me, it was just great to be out there and compete at a high level. More than anything, just thankful to be out there healthy and to be able to do what I love most.”

Taylor’s parents were in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they watched Taylor do the things he used to before the injury. That included returning punts and catching passes, specifically touchdowns.

Taylor, playing behind junior Brannon Spector in the slot, finished with just two receptions for 23 yards, but his return went out on a high. Taylor, who played without the knee brace he sported for much of preseason camp, got most of his reps at receiver in the second half of the Tigers’ 41-10 victory and was Cade Klubnik’s go-to target on the Tigers’ final possession, hauling in both of his catches on the drive.

The final one was a 3-yard touchdown grab on a rub route similar to the one former Clemson star Hunter Renfrow caught from Deshaun Watson to clinch the 2017 national championship game for the Tigers. It was also the first touchdown catch of Taylor’s career, one Taylor and those close to him cherished a little bit more.

“My family was there,” he said. “Just for them to be able to see me go through the whole process was special. Got to talk to them after the game. They were very proud. Just a special moment for me and my parents.”

Taylor acknowledged doubt crept into his mind when he initially sustained the injury about whether or not he could be the same player once he recovered. He said he talked to both current and former Clemson players who suffered the same injury to get a sense of how they approach their recoveries. They included Green Bay Packers receiver Amari Rodgers, who was a first-team All-ACC selection as a senior in 2020 after tearing his ACL a year earlier.

Ultimately, Taylor said the hardest part of working his way back was learning to trust the process.

“But each day of the recovery process, I could just feel myself getting a little bit more confident and a little bit better each and every day,” Taylor said. “Now I’m good to go and have no doubt at all.”

That includes whether or not he believes he can still be the same speedy, shifty receiver that Clemson signed out of Dutch Fork High School nearly two years ago.

“Now I feel like I’m more explosive than ever,” he said.

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

Uiagalelei and Clemson find their groove down the stretch as the Tigers defeat Georgia Tech

Clemson overcomes a rough start to take down Georgia Tech.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson picked up their first win of the season Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as the Tigers defeated the Yellow Jackets 41-10.

After a slow start for Uiagalelei and the offense, the group overcame their struggles and were able to put together some nice drives throughout the game. The junior quarterback started getting traction in the second quarter as he led an eight-play, 67-yard drive that was capped off by Beaux Collins six-yard connection for his first passing touchdown of the season.

Overall, it was an inspiring turnaround for Uiagalelei, who completed 19-32 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing touchdown. Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik got some playtime late in the game as well and was mightily impressive. He completed 4-6 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Though the running game didn’t perform to its expected standard, starting running back, Will Shipley still managed 42-yards on ten carries, finding the end zone twice. He also brought in a 14-yard reception. There were eleven different players with a reception, with Joseph Ngata and Will Taylor on the receiving end of touchdowns.

Clemson’s defense showed up and showed out, performing up to expectation. They allowed just 164 passing yards and 73 rushing yards throughout the game. The defensive line wreaked havoc, while the linebackers and secondary were impressive as well.

The special teams unit was arguably the most impressive, blocking two punts that led to scores.

Clemson overcame and put together a solid performance in week one.

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