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Clemson Football

2019 Opponent Series: Wofford

August 23, 2019
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2019 Opponent Series

Wofford head coach Josh Conklin is heading into his second year leading the Terriers, a program that made the FCS Playoffs and won their second straight Southern Conference championship in 2018 after legendary coach Mike Ayers retired at the end of the 2017 season, ending a 30-year run at the Spartanburg, S.C. based campus.

The offense is still under the direction of long-time offensive coordinator Wade Lang who is again running the option offense which averaged 311.6 yards per game in 2018. Senior quarterback Joe Newman returns to lead the attack after he rushed for 533 yards but threw for more yards and touchdowns in the passing game with 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns. 

While the run game will always be a focus for the Terriers, especially with running back Blake Morgan returning from a season where his season was cut short due to injury, the consensus in the Sparkle City is that the passing game is starting to become more of a factor as well.

“We also want to be able to push the ball down the field and create those explosive plays, and we’ll continue to evolve the offense moving forward. We had a great spring, did some new things, some different things but we spent 90 percent in the gun last year so we’re not doing as much under center but continuing to evolve that passing game will always be something that we’ll try to do for the next 2, 3, 4 years,” Conklin said.

Wofford’s defense was stingy in 2018 and only allowed 19 points per game. One of those leaders will be senior linebacker Jireh Wilson, who will be apart of a front four that forced 22 sacks in 2018 and he says there won’t be radical changes with the defense with the losses in the secondary with Domo Lemon, JoJo Tillery, and Devin Watson.

Wofford was picked to win the SoCon again this year at media days, and their schedule includes a visit to Death Valley to kick off the month of November. A matchup against Clemson can undoubtedly give the Terriers a good measuring stick of where they are with an evolving offense and stout defensive front.

Wofford Terriers

Head coach: Josh Conklin, second year

Last season: Finished 9-4, lost to Kennesaw State 13-10 in the second round of the FCS playoffs

Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense

Players to Watch

  • Jireh Wilson (Linebacker, Sr.) -- The Calhoun, Ga. native led the team in tackles with 59 total tackles and will be counted on as an active part of the Terrier front in 2019.
  • Dorian Lindsey (Wide receiver, Sr.) -- This could be a breakout year for Wofford’s passing game as it continues to evolve. With the run game being a factor, the senior out of Greer could have more opportunities for one-on-one catches. He caught 14 catches for 172 yards
  • Thad Magnum (Defensive linemen, Sr.) -- The first team SoCon defensive pick is expected to have another strong year on the front lines after finishing with 51 tackles and six tackles for loss.

Last Meeting vs. Clemson: 2015: Clemson opened the season against the Terriers, defeating the visitors from Spartanburg 49-10.

2019 Schedule 

Aug. 31 - at SC State

Sept. 14 - vs. Samford

Sept. 21 - vs. Gardner-Webb

Sept. 28 - at VMI

Oct. 5 - at East Tennessee State

Oct. 19 - vs. Western Carolina

Oct. 26 - vs. Chattanooga

Nov. 2 - at Clemson

Nov. 9 - at Mercer

Nov. 16 - vs. Furman

Nov. 23 - at The Citadel

**HOME games in BOLD

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2019 Opponent Series: Wofford

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