2008 Woodie Awards
Terps trample Tigers
Poor second half leads to Clemson's first ACC loss against Maryland.
By: Jason Patskoski
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
During Saturday's game, Clemson fans were starting to believe in the Tigers again. The stadium had an atmosphere that rivaled the Georgia Tech game two years ago. Unfortunately, the game against Maryland Saturday was a perfect example of what can happen when an inferior team with inferior talent is allowed to remain in the game. The Tigers dominated the first half scoring on their first two drives. They moved the ball almost exclusively by rushing and using a lot of misdirection. Gaining eight and nine yards at a time, the Tigers had no trouble moving the ball, only having one third down in the first quarter. They dominated the time of possession using almost two-thirds of the first quarter. Clemson kicked a field goal on their first drive, and C.J. Spiller had a 35-yard touchdown run on their second drive to go up 10-0. The defense matched the firepower of the offense. They held the Terps to just 30 yards on their first two drives. On Maryland's second drive, they got their first three and out. Death Valley roared with approval.
Then the game began to turn. After the three and out, Maryland's punt bounced off returner Jacoby Ford. Maryland quickly recovered the loose ball at the Clemson 18. Eventually forced to throw on third down from the eight, a Chris Turner incompletion led to a Maryland short field goal attempt, and the score was 10-3 Clemson. The Tigers received the kickoff and started their drive from their own 35-yard line. On second down, Cullen Harper attempted a screen pass to Aaron Kelly, but the throw was backwards and ruled a fumble. Maryland quickly pounced on the loose ball. Again Maryland took over after a turnover, but the defense stood tall holding the Terps to a second field goal, making the score 10-6.
Clemson received the kickoff and started on their own 20-yard line. Their drive would not be cut short this time. Harper completed a pass to Kelly on the first play of the drive and did not have to throw another pass. James Davis and Spiller rushed for a combined 72 yards on the drive. Davis matched Spiller with a 38-yard touchdown run of his own to end the drive. The score put the Tigers up 17-6. The teams exchanged drives for the rest of the half, neither team gaining more than 20 yards on a drive. Even with the two costly turnovers, Clemson went into the locker room ahead by eleven and seemed to be in complete control of the game.
Then the game began to turn. After the three and out, Maryland's punt bounced off returner Jacoby Ford. Maryland quickly recovered the loose ball at the Clemson 18. Eventually forced to throw on third down from the eight, a Chris Turner incompletion led to a Maryland short field goal attempt, and the score was 10-3 Clemson. The Tigers received the kickoff and started their drive from their own 35-yard line. On second down, Cullen Harper attempted a screen pass to Aaron Kelly, but the throw was backwards and ruled a fumble. Maryland quickly pounced on the loose ball. Again Maryland took over after a turnover, but the defense stood tall holding the Terps to a second field goal, making the score 10-6.
Clemson received the kickoff and started on their own 20-yard line. Their drive would not be cut short this time. Harper completed a pass to Kelly on the first play of the drive and did not have to throw another pass. James Davis and Spiller rushed for a combined 72 yards on the drive. Davis matched Spiller with a 38-yard touchdown run of his own to end the drive. The score put the Tigers up 17-6. The teams exchanged drives for the rest of the half, neither team gaining more than 20 yards on a drive. Even with the two costly turnovers, Clemson went into the locker room ahead by eleven and seemed to be in complete control of the game.
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