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Clemson Postgame Numbers and Thoughts
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02 September 2012
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Clemson Kiehl Frazier Cody Parkey Emory Blake Greg Robinson Tre Mason
Of the 4 categories Auburn needed to win at least 3 of 4, they barely managed to obtain 2 of 4. They had over 100-yards rushing and did average over 7.0 yards per pass attempt. They failed to hold Clemson under 140-yards rushing and failed to complete at least 50 percent of their passes. Once again, a strong reminder that separately, these goals don't appear to be too difficult but accomplishing them all in the same game can be. I was hoping that if Auburn could keep it close late into the final period, special teams might generate the game winning play. In the end, Auburn simply could not stop Clemson's inside running game, giving up over 300-yards rushing.
Kiehl Frazier did not have a great debut but that was to be expected considering Auburn's history. Only 4 of the last 17 quarterbacks to make their start against a quality opponent had a pass rating above 120. Frazier finished with a rating of 105.9. Auburn had previously opened the season against a ranked opponent 6 times out the last 60 season openers, compiling a 1-5 record in those games. Frazier threw high, which is likely a strong indicator of nerves but he did manage to generate 5 impact pass plays during the game. Though he might not have made enough plays to win the game, he certainly did nothing to lose the game.
Special teams assured that Clemson started 10 of their 11 possessions at their own 25 or worse. The one possession Clemson began beyond their own 25-yard line was after Tre Mason fumbled. Because Clemson was forced to play on a long field the majority of the night, they managed only 23 points off of a 500-yard offensive night. Cody Parkey had a very good night going 4 for 4 on FG's and 4 of his 6 kickoffs going for touchbacks.
Inside the Numbers…
The 320-yards rushing is perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the season opener. Despite being gashed by the Clemson running game, the game did go down to the final play. This is actually a positive note in that Auburn nearly did enough as a "team" to pull off the upset. Auburn had an effective running game, played well on special teams and had a solid night in pass-defense. The turnovers and run-defense ended up being the primary difference in the game. They say we often see the most improvement from week #1 to week #2 but the Tigers will need to secure their run-defense next week against Mississippi State.
If Auburn can remain healthy this season, I believe the experts will soon be commenting on Auburn's ability to run very well to Greg Robinson's side. The success in the running game is certainly something to build on but it's evident it will take a concerted "team" effort to beat the quality teams on the schedule. Though Kiehl Frazier struggled at times tonight, I did like the fact Scot Loeffler was not afraid to allow him to throw down field. Last season, the pass offense became so reliant on the short passing game and tonight the majority of Frazier's pass attempts were intermediate to long-range passes.
Before the season began, I felt the regular season ceiling for this team was 9-3. With the loss to Clemson, the ceiling reasonably drops to 8-4. I also said Auburn could go 7-5 in 2012 but still be a better team than 2011 in terms of being more competitive. The loss tonight stung but Auburn was much more competitive this season against Clemson compared to 2011. This is not to say, Auburn should be satisfied with simply being more competitive. I say this in the sense that Auburn can build on this game and still have a solid year. It certainly won't be easy but the first challenge awaits them in Starkville.
War Eagle!
Kiehl Frazier did not have a great debut but that was to be expected considering Auburn's history. Only 4 of the last 17 quarterbacks to make their start against a quality opponent had a pass rating above 120. Frazier finished with a rating of 105.9. Auburn had previously opened the season against a ranked opponent 6 times out the last 60 season openers, compiling a 1-5 record in those games. Frazier threw high, which is likely a strong indicator of nerves but he did manage to generate 5 impact pass plays during the game. Though he might not have made enough plays to win the game, he certainly did nothing to lose the game.
Special teams assured that Clemson started 10 of their 11 possessions at their own 25 or worse. The one possession Clemson began beyond their own 25-yard line was after Tre Mason fumbled. Because Clemson was forced to play on a long field the majority of the night, they managed only 23 points off of a 500-yard offensive night. Cody Parkey had a very good night going 4 for 4 on FG's and 4 of his 6 kickoffs going for touchbacks.
Inside the Numbers…
- Of Auburn's 27 first down plays, 22 were run plays but 4 of those runs were scrambles made by Frazier, which meant Loeffler intended to call 33% pass on first down rather than 19%, the end result.
- Kiehl Frazier was only 2 of 5 on first down for 28 yards. Second down was his best down, where he completed 5 of 12 for 134-yards and 1 TD. He was 4 of 9 for 32-yards on 3rd down with 1 interception. Two of his 4 third down completions resulted in a first down and picked up an additional 3rd down conversion, running the football.
- Auburn's defensive ends lived up to most of their preseason hype, applying pressure on Clemson's quarterback far more than they did in last season's game. The problem was that Auburn's interior line struggled in pushing the pocket into the face of the quarterback, often allowing him to escape the perimeter rush. The interior line also failed to slow down's Clemson's interior running game too.
- Though Auburn's defensive tackles might have struggled, they should be credited for occupying enough of the line of scrimmage to allow 2 of Auburn's starting linebackers to combine for 25 tackles.
- During the first half, Clemson averaged 3.6 yards per rush on first down and 8.2 yards during the second half.
- Auburn's pass-defense against Clemson was far better in the rematch. Last season Clemson had a pass rating of 180.1 during the game and were held to 122.1 in Atlanta.
- Except for his fumble, Tre Mason had a good night, rushing for 106-yards on just 14 carries. He along with Onterio McCalebb accounted for 7.2 yards per rush on their combined 26 carries.
- Daren Bates finished the night with a team high, 14 stops, 1 interceptions and 1 sack. Not bad for an undersized linebacker.
- Though Auburn was 3 for 3 inside the red zone in terms of scoring, the Tigers failure to score a touchdown while in the red zone was a major difference in the outcome of the game. Clemson turned Auburn's 2 turnovers into 10 points and Auburn managed 3 pts on Clemson's lone turnover.
- Emory Blake was targeted 7 times tonight, hauling 4 passes to record his 5th 100-yard game of his career.
- Kiehl Frazier attempted at least 1 pass to 9 different targets against Clemson.
- After recording 4 tackles for loss during the 1st half, Auburn's defense had just 1 during the second half.
- Though Frazier struggled in his debut as the starter, he did generate 5 impact plays in the passing game. This missed opportunity with Trovon Reed in the end zone really hurt.
The 320-yards rushing is perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the season opener. Despite being gashed by the Clemson running game, the game did go down to the final play. This is actually a positive note in that Auburn nearly did enough as a "team" to pull off the upset. Auburn had an effective running game, played well on special teams and had a solid night in pass-defense. The turnovers and run-defense ended up being the primary difference in the game. They say we often see the most improvement from week #1 to week #2 but the Tigers will need to secure their run-defense next week against Mississippi State.
If Auburn can remain healthy this season, I believe the experts will soon be commenting on Auburn's ability to run very well to Greg Robinson's side. The success in the running game is certainly something to build on but it's evident it will take a concerted "team" effort to beat the quality teams on the schedule. Though Kiehl Frazier struggled at times tonight, I did like the fact Scot Loeffler was not afraid to allow him to throw down field. Last season, the pass offense became so reliant on the short passing game and tonight the majority of Frazier's pass attempts were intermediate to long-range passes.
Before the season began, I felt the regular season ceiling for this team was 9-3. With the loss to Clemson, the ceiling reasonably drops to 8-4. I also said Auburn could go 7-5 in 2012 but still be a better team than 2011 in terms of being more competitive. The loss tonight stung but Auburn was much more competitive this season against Clemson compared to 2011. This is not to say, Auburn should be satisfied with simply being more competitive. I say this in the sense that Auburn can build on this game and still have a solid year. It certainly won't be easy but the first challenge awaits them in Starkville.
War Eagle!
