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Clemson Football

Keys to Victory: Clemson vs UConn

November 13, 2021
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Each week we give you a look at the game's history, three keys to success, plus Swanny's prediction.

The Match-Up:

Clemson (6-3, 5-2 ACC) vs. UConn  (1-8, FBS Independent)

Clemson vs. UConn 1990 (Basketball)

Series History:

  • OVERALL: N/A
  • HOME: N/A
  • ROAD: N/A
  • NEUTRAL: N/A
  • LAST MEETING: N/A
  • STREAK: N/A

Stat of the Week:

Clemson secured a win against Louisville last week thanks to a goal-line stand by a Tiger defense that faced first-and-goal from its own two-yard line with 1:18 to play. Clemson has been one of the nation's top red zone defenses in 2021, allowing teams to score points on only 59.1 percent of red-zone drives this season, the third-best mark in the nation. Clemson has allowed touchdowns on only a remarkable 27.3 percent of opponents' red-zone drives, second-best in the nation behind only No. 1 Georgia (25.0)

Chasing History:

Clemson entered 2021 riding a streak of 10 consecutive seasons with 10+ wins. The program's 10th consecutive 10-win season in 2020 made Clemson only the third program in FBS history to produce a "double-double" — double-digit wins in a double-digit number of consecutive seasons. The record for consecutive 10-win seasons is 14, set by Florida State (1987-2000). Alabama is the only other program with an active streak of at least 10 straight 10-win seasons. The Tigers have 17 10-win seasons in school history, with 10 coming under Dabo Swinney.

The Tigers need to win out this year in order to cross the 10-win mark in 2021.

Key 1: Rhythm, Rhythm, Rhythm 

Clemson should win today’s game by a wide margin, but after the season we've seen this year, you just want to feel like the Tigers have a good rhythm as they head towards the Wake Forest game next weekend.

The Tigers just haven’t been in sync all season and although D.J. Uiagalelei has looked better-- getting past the Demon Deacons and perhaps South Carolina in Williams-Brice in just a few short weeks.

If this offense lacks a natural flow today, it becomes increasingly more difficult to project a win next weekend.

Key 2: Beaux Time

When Beaux Collins walked off the field last weekend, his six-catch, 106-yard performance was a bright spot. Collins, a true freshman, was teammates with Uiagalelei in high school and it was nice to see the duo getting comfortable at this level.

Collins became the first Clemson true freshman with 100 receiving yards since Justyn Ross against Alabama to end 2018 in the national championship.

If Collins continues to excel, the injuries and issues at wideout will be diminished as a new target may have emerged at the slot position.

Key 3: Clean Up

No matter the opponent, Clemson just hasn't played clean and last weekend a botched punt return almost spelled doom for the Tigers at Lousiville. Moments like that must be avoided, and while no one would predict a UConn win, even if Clemson shoots themselves in the foot multiple times-- that’s just not the type of football the TIers should be playing against a team with much less talent.

Prediction:

It's tough to predict what we will see from this 2021 Clemson team, but things do seem to be going better on offense. It’s not great, but-- baby steps.

Today’s contest against UConn should be a breeze and would have been over by the end of the first quarter in previous seasons. That might not be the measuring stick, but it sure would help the team to have even more confidence coming out of today's game.

Can Clemson have a huge opening quarter to squash the Huskies early? Only time will tell-- either way, I still think the Tigers win big. 

Clemson 49, UConn 14

Swanny's Predictions: 

Date 2021 Schedule Predictions Swanny's Prediction Actual Score
9-4-2021 No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 5 Georgia 31-27 Clemson 10-3 Georgia
9-11-2021 No. 6 Clemson vs. SC State 59-7 Clemson 49-3 Clemson
9-18-2021 No. 6 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech 45-10 Clemson 14-8 Clemson
9-25-2021 No. 9 Clemson @ NC State 31-14 Clemson 27-21 NC State
10-2-2021 No. 25 Clemson vs. Boston College 24-21 Clemson 19-13 Clemson
10-9-2021 OPEN    
10-15-2021 Clemson @ Syracuse 27-17 Clemson 17-14 Clemson
10-23-2021 No. 24 Clemson @ No. 23 Pitt 31-20 Pitt 27-17 Pitt
10-30-2021 Clemson vs. Florida State 27-23 Clemson 30-20 Clemson
11-6-2021 Clemson @ Louisville 31-17 Clemson 30-24 Clemson
11-13-2021 Clemson vs. UConn 49-14 Clemson ???

*Correct predictions in bold

Discussion from...

Keys to Victory: Clemson vs UConn

5,348 Views | 26 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by 1bstockdale
1bstockdale
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Good afternoon everyone! We'll have the in-game thread in here today. UConn is off to a fast start taking the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Who would've thought that.
1bstockdale
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Clemson has gone for it on 4th downs on three straight times in their opening series.
1bstockdale
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B.T. Potter knocks through the field goal to get Clemson on the board at 7-3.
1bstockdale
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Pass interference penalty by Mario Goodrich will extend the UConn drive.
1bstockdale
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Jack Zergiotis's pass falls incomplete and UConn is forced to punt. Let's see if Clemson's offense can get in gear after a sluggish opening series. 9:13 to play in the opening quarter -- Huskies lead Clemson, 7-3.
1bstockdale
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Clemson goes into the back of tricks on 4th and goal. They fake the field goal and Will Swinney runs it in for a 6-yard TD. Tigers take the lead at 10-7. The issues on the goal line continue to hurt the Tigers.
1bstockdale
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Tyler Davis and the Clemson defensive line converge on Zergiotis and sack him. Tigers take over leading 10-7 with 1 minute left in the first quarter.
1bstockdale
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Taisun Phommachanh is in the game getting involved in the QB run game as we are at the end of the first quarter at Clemson. Tigers are driving leading 10-7.
1bstockdale
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Phommachanh punches it in the read option for a walk in touchdown. Tigers extend the lead to 17-7 with 14:31 left before the half.
1bstockdale
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Ruke Orhorhoro gets the sack and force UConn to punt. Clemson will get the ball back looking to distance themselves. It will be interesting to see who takes the snaps at quarterback on the next series. Clemson leads 17-7 with 13:31 to play before the half.
1bstockdale
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Stan Cross intercepts DJU on his first pass attempt of the series. What a play. Huskies take over with excellent field position.
1bstockdale
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The completion from UConn's Aaron Turner is under review but they make take a look at Skalski's hit for possible targeting.
1bstockdale
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Clemson denies UConn on 4th and short following the Uiagalelei interception. Tigers take over.
1bstockdale
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B.T. Potter hits the 49-yard field goal to finish off a 6-play, 36-yard drive to extend Clemson's lead to 20-7 with 8:01 to play before the half.
1bstockdale
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After a Mario Goodrich interception, Clemson can't punch it in the end zone but they do get a field goal out it from B.T. Potter. DJU isn't healthy and missed two easy slants on the drive for a touchdown. I'm not sure why he's in the game. Clemson leads 23-7 with 6:30 to play before the half.
1bstockdale
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I think that's a Sheridan Jones fumble recovery on the backwards lateral. This one will be reviewed.

EDIT: This was not a fumble recovery after the review.
1bstockdale
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Clemson goes 3-and-out as DJU throws three straight incompletions on the drive. Surprised the Tigers are not going to the screen game or trying to mix in some runs.

Justyn Ross has returned to the sidelines on crutches so obviously he won't be returning to this game. Clemson leads UConn, 23-7 with 2:21 to play before the half.
1bstockdale
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DJU makes his best throw of the afternoon with a 32-yard TD to Beaux Collins. He made the throw where only he could get it. That was the best drive of the afternoon for Clemson. Tigers extend the lead to 30-7 with 15 seconds to play before the half.
1bstockdale
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HALFTIME: Clemson 30, UConn 7. UConn has -47 yards rushing and Clemson has 287 yards of total offense right now. It's been an interesting first half that took 1 hour and 47 minutes to play.

Injury update from Dabo on the TV broadcast -- Taisun Phommachanh hurt his shoulder and is unable to throw the ball.
1bstockdale
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Phil Mafah opened the scoring for Clemson in this quarter and Sheridan Jones just picked off UConn. Tigers lead 37-7 with 9:27 to play in the third.
1bstockdale
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James Skalski is now down and shaken up. Clemson just can't catch a break in the injury department.
1bstockdale
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Hunter Helms taking snaps for the offense with this one well in hand.
1bstockdale
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END 3Q: Clemson leads UConn, 37-7.
1bstockdale
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Darien Rencher was trying to get the ball past the plane and ended up fumbling. It is a touch back and UConn will take over with 10:31 to play in the game. Clemson leads 37-7.
1bstockdale
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What a catch from Jake Briningstool! That's a 25-yard TD reception as Clemson extends the lead to 44-7 with 3:36 to play in the contest.
1bstockdale
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FINAL: Clemson 44, UConn 7 - Tigers are now winners of three in a row as they improve to 7-3. Definitely not the prettiest of wins but you'll take it and hopefully get some key guys healthy for a showdown against Wake Forest next Saturday.
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