Week 1:Review

Ellington and Hopkins lead Clemson to 2nd straight win over Auburn

Bend but don't break defense lead by new DC Brent Venables gets the job done in the 4th quarter

Many football fans were interested to see how successful Clemson would be against Auburn without star receiver Sammy Watkins. Well, they got their answer. DeAndre Hopkins had a record setting day hauling in 13 catches for 119 yards and the Game winning highlight reel catch from Tajh Boyd at the 9:17 mark in the 4th quarter. Hopkins made a diving over the back catch on a fade route in the corner of the end zone and put his team ahead 23-19. Clemson would also had a FG to end all scoring at 26-19. Auburn struggled all day long to get into the end zone and a sack by Vic Beasley on 3rd down just about put it out of reach for Auburn who's final prayer fell incomplete on 4th down. Andre Ellington had a heck of a game to say the least rushing for 231 yards on 26 carries. Ellington is healthy for the first time since early 2010 and he showed the nation just how dangerous he can be. The Tigers needed someone to step up and they got just that. The defense had a few blown plays in pass coverage and gave up some decent chunks on the ground, but when it mattered most, they stood tall and denied Auburn from the end zone. Something that really stood out to me is Tajh Boyd. He was noticeably slimmer and quicker. Made some plays with his feet and got out of sticky situations--plays that would have been sacks last year. He also did this despite a shaky start in which he was pressured and sacked early by Auburn's defense. His poise and veteran leadership was monumental down the stretch. I predicted a 23-17 Clemson win earlier in the week and came pretty close on that prediction. Clemson now looks to Ball St as they return home for the first time since Nov. 7th. Despite the opponent, it should be one heck of a "welcome back" party when the Tigers appear at the top of the hill next Saturday just before high noon.


Lattimore Is Back

One the first play of the season from scrimmage, USC gave it to Marcus Lattimore. He couldn't have asked for a worse start as the ball was jarred loose and Vanderbilt took over. He would get the last laugh though as he scored both of Carolina's TDs and and rushed for 110 yards on 23 carries. Shaw, who fought through a shoulder contusion suffered in the 2nd quarter, pushed through the pain and rushed for 92 yards on the ground averaging 6.2 yards per carry. However the passing game was nearly non-existent as the Gamecocks  only had 67 yards through the air and had 1 interception. Someone will have to step up and give Shaw options down the field. Though Lattimore is 100% and better than ever, Carolina will not be able to ride him all season long especially when they are 1 dimensional and have zero passing game threats. Shaw also needs to learn to slide feet first. He took a beating and is status is unknown for this weekend as he heals from this shoulder injury that took a few more major blows late in the game. As of Sunday, he suffers pain from simply lifting his right arm--this throwing arm. Kid has a lot of heart, but if he doesn't learn to protect himself he is gonna lose is head. Defense looks solid and are very fast this year which is a positive. It looks as if though Carolina will need most of their games to be low scoring defense struggles to be successful. Getting into shootouts will not be something Carolina wants to be a part of...in that respect they are like the opposite of Clemson who will thrive in those high scoring situation games. The bottom line Thursday was Vanderbilt did not capitalize on the key chances to cash in early in the game. Missed opportunities hurt them down the stretch. I expect them to be spoilers for people in the SEC this year though, so watch out for the Commodores! Carolina prepares for ECU this weekend as they too head back home for their home opener for the 2012 season.


Other Notes:

Alabama rolls over Michigan 41-14
USC defeats Hawaii 49-10
Oklahoma St wallops Savannah St 84-0
UGA handles Buffalo 45-23
Michigan St edges Boise St 17-13
Tennessee knocks off NCST 35-21
Ohio shocks Penn St 24-14