Ground Committee

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Kelly Bryant lead Clemson’s rushing attack against Georgia Tech with 67 yards on the ground, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have some help in that category. 

Again, the Tigers eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark that has been so vital to their success, especially now as a run-first team. 

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Tavien Feaster sprints to the end zone earlier this season against Syracuse.

The five backs of Bryant, C.J. Fuller, Tavien Feaster, Travis Etienne and Adam Choice had a total 42 carries Saturday night for 249 yards.

Barring a few bad snaps that negated some of those yards, the committee of backs would have easily gained 250+ yards for the fourth time this season.

All the love the first two months have gone to Bryant and the young duo of Feaster and Etienne.

Etienne also became the first Clemson running back since C.J. Spiller in 2009 to have four or more runs over 50 yards in a season with his 52-yard touchdown run against Syracuse.

Saturday night, Choice and Fuller showed Clemson fans that they are still capable backs. Both guys had eight carries and combined for 104 yards. Choice’s 28-yard run was the longest run of the night.

Clemson’s ground committee can out-man, out-gain, and outlast another offense’s rushing attack because of the ability to stay fresh and break out at any moment.

"I thought that was another positive from the game Saturday night is C.J. Fuller, and Adam Choice got in there and really did some good things for us,” co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said Monday. “I think their experience showed up a little bit in that type of environment, in that type of game. We’ve got confidence in all of those guys.”

The confidence showed time and time again against the Yellow Jackets as the four running backs got either seven or eight carries a piece. Not as heavy a workload like running back Wayne Gallman had last year averaging 15.5 carries per game in his final season. 

Last year against the Wolfpack, Gallman was knocked out of the game early causing Fuller, and Deshaun Watson to pick up the load on the ground.

There was a bit of a drop-off last year at that position whereas this season if one member gets hurt, another member of the committee is there ready to step right in.

That’s the beauty of having a group rather that one alpha dog (or tiger) at that position. With the constant grind on a weekly basis and longer seasons, running backs are more prone to get banged up. Depth is a huge factor for a championship team.

Average Rushing Yards Per Season

Last week, co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott was asked if he preferred having the committee or one back:

“I love to keep the guys fresh,” Elliott said. “The thing that’s good for me is that all those guys can go in and function at a high level whereas, in the past, you may have had one guy who you knew you could trust in every situation and then you had situational guys. It’s very, very hard with my responsibilities on game day, the tempo at which we play, being able to get those guys in the right situation.”

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Freshman Travis Etienne has four 50+ yard runs this season.

This group of running backs shares the same situation. Sure, each player has his strengths and weaknesses, but they have all shown that they can get the job done at different points in the game.

With more backs also means more carries to spread out amongst them. The wrong type of ego and mentality from one member can hinder the entire committee. 

Luckily for Clemson, it seems like these guys are the most unselfish guys on the team. 

Less amount off carries equals more competition at practice, and Elliott loves that.

“If they want to continue to get those touches, they’ve got to perform (in practice).”

Elliott didn’t say that he thinks the future of college football will be dictated by more of a "committee" style at that position, but he did say that it is a “luxury” to have three or four guys who can function. 

This week, Clemson faces a talented defensive front from N.C. State, but they just gave up 318 yards rushing to Notre Dame and were worn down by the Irish’s ground attack.

The Clemson ground committee will have to do what they have been doing for most of the season so far this Saturday afternoon:

Out-man, out-perform, and wear down the talented Wolfpack defense that only allows 119 yards per game on the ground.