Clemson Football vs Troy: Defensive Grades

Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) attempts to tackle Troy Trojans quarterback Kaleb Barker (18) during the second quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Each week we’ll give out defensive grades, reviewing each Clemson football game. Here are the grades for the Tigers’ match-up against Troy.

Defensively I felt pretty good going into the game against Troy.

In previewing the game, I highlighted the Troy quarterback as a very accurate passer and that held true. I also mentioned that if pressured, he couldn’t get away from that pressure and he’d make mistakes.

That also held true. What I did not foresee was the drop off between the first and second team defensive line play.

Let’s jump right in and take a look at all three levels of the Clemson defense versus Troy, and hand out some defensive grades.

Defensive Line

Clemson football’s starting defensive line did a great job of clogging rushing lanes and creating a pass rush. The combo of Wilkins, Lawrence, Watkins and Ferrell were just short of dynamic.

Although, Ferrell was non factor in this game. He did not set an edge rush as I had hoped, and after watching the game again, he was swallowed up by Troy’s left tackle, and was denied a single tackle in the game. This has to improve if the Tigers plan on sustaining their winning ways. Lawrence is a monster, he’s disruptive and impossible to move off of the ball.

The combo of Lawrence and Watkins is almost unfair to opposing offenses. Christian Wilkins will be a top 10 draft pick after next season. He rushed the passer, batted down balls, and flew to the ball carrier. He’s what you hope every defensive linemen aspires to be.

The second team, which basically played every other series did not create the same pass rush or penetration that you’d hope they would. Richard Yeargin, in my opinion had the best game of all of the second string guys.

Pagano, Huggins and Register were invisible during the game.

Meaning, they did nothing to stand out. There has to be less of a gap in production between the first and second team. It’s early, there’s time to improve, but there’s only one tune up game left to get in-game experience for the second string guys.

Overall I was pleased, but there are definite areas to improve on.

Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware (10) walks off the field after being injured during the second half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

The Clemson football linebackers played fast, physical and opportunistic.

Jalen Willams, Kendall Joseph and Dorian O’Daniel all had interceptions. Joseph had 7 tackles, and two of those were for a loss. The combo of the linebackers and the defensive line held Troy to 141 yards rushing.

That’s not great, but it’s not bad either.

I was also impressed with Tre Lamar. He looked fast and dialed in. Ben Boulware, who left with an apparent sprained ankle, was schemed against.

Meaning, they ran away from Boulware or designed plays purposely to lose him in coverage. He finished with four assisted tackles in the game. The linebackers would have won my defensive unit of the game had it not been for one slip up.

They all got caught out of position on the end-around that went 66 yards for a Troy touchdown.

If you take that one play away, Clemson football only allowed 75 total yards rushing in the ball game. I’m glad some young linebackers saw action in the game and got a feel for the speed of college football. The Tigers are going to need those fresh legs in the coming games.

Sep 10, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers players prior to the game against the Troy Trojans at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs

The defensive backs played well and carried the load for the Tigers defense. It is evident when looking at the box score. Your leading tacklers for the game were Van Smith, who just gets better every week. Tankersley and Johnson each had four tackles.

The Tigers gave up 245 yards passing, on 45 attempts, against the guy who owns the CFB record for pass completions. To say that they did their job would be an understatement.

It’ll be interesting to see if anyone can solidify the starting cornerback position opposite of Tankersley. Fields, Mullen, Carter, somebody, anybody, needs to take ownership and prove they want that full-time starting role.

I was again pleased with the effort of K’von Wallace. He’s going to develop into one heck of a nickel back. He’s the perfect size for a hybrid linebacker/safety. He’s going to be a key piece of the puzzle moving forward.

For the most part I thought the Tiger defense came to play. They played fast, they were physical and they were in position to make plays for the majority of the game. I do see some concern with the gap in production between the first and second string defensive linemen.

Hopefully a little game experience will solve that issue. Anytime your defense holds its opponent to 2 for 15 on 3rd down it’s a pretty good day. This team must also learn how to finish the game. Troy scored twice with less than five minutes left in the game.

That can’t happen again if this defense wants to be elite. Had the late scores not happened, the defense would have received an A+ today, but, you must finish.

Defensive grade versus Troy: B