Written by Darrell Wilkinson
Charlotte, NC - In what was expected to be an electrifying offense game by the two dual-threat quarterbacks it seems only one came out ready to storm Bank of America stadium. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson has his #1 rated team ahead of #10 North Carolina 21 to 16 at the half.
The scoreline only tells half the tale as North Carolina has struggled to move the ball and yet is in striking distance of still winning this game. Great field position and Clemson mistakes have given the Tar Heels numerous second chances and they have taken advantage. In the first half Clemson outgained North Carolina 309 to 103 total yards, exactly three times as many and yet hold a five-point lead.
After a missed opportunity for an early touchdown the Tar Heels settled for a field goal and Clemson took advantage on the next possession. Deshaun Watson found Artavis Scott deep for 42 yards which set up a 16-yard passing touchdown to Wayne Gallman to give the Tigers the lead. North Carolina then responded quickly with a 46 yard Marquise Williams to TJ Logan touchdown pass but attempted and failed a questionable two-point conversion to make it 9 - 7 at the time.
The Tar Heels have played the field position game well, as they have started most of their drives close to Clemson territory and have made the Tigers often start drives within their own 15. The bad news for the Tar Heels defense was Deshaun Watson who led his team on a 12 play 96-yard drive in the second quarter capped off by a nine-yard Watson rushing touchdown to put his team ahead.
Penalties and mistakes from Clemson have masked the ineffectiveness of the Tar Heels offense. Clemson through the half has racked up seven penalties for 58 yards but the biggest mistake was on a fake punt on Clemson’s own 20 failed miserably and set up North Carolina to take the lead with under five minutes to play in the half.
Watson once again made something out of nothing and led his team to end the half ahead with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett. Watson has been nothing short of spectacular with 191 yards through the air, two touchdowns and 99 yards on the ground with a score.
North Carolina is going to have to come out and continue to grind but cannot rely on Clemson mistakes to keep them in this game. 37 yards on 15 carries will never be good enough to win this game for the Tar Heels and will need their leader Marquise Williams to step up big time if they want to knock off #1 Clemson and win the ACC Championship.
The scoreline only tells half the tale as North Carolina has struggled to move the ball and yet is in striking distance of still winning this game. Great field position and Clemson mistakes have given the Tar Heels numerous second chances and they have taken advantage. In the first half Clemson outgained North Carolina 309 to 103 total yards, exactly three times as many and yet hold a five-point lead.
After a missed opportunity for an early touchdown the Tar Heels settled for a field goal and Clemson took advantage on the next possession. Deshaun Watson found Artavis Scott deep for 42 yards which set up a 16-yard passing touchdown to Wayne Gallman to give the Tigers the lead. North Carolina then responded quickly with a 46 yard Marquise Williams to TJ Logan touchdown pass but attempted and failed a questionable two-point conversion to make it 9 - 7 at the time.
The Tar Heels have played the field position game well, as they have started most of their drives close to Clemson territory and have made the Tigers often start drives within their own 15. The bad news for the Tar Heels defense was Deshaun Watson who led his team on a 12 play 96-yard drive in the second quarter capped off by a nine-yard Watson rushing touchdown to put his team ahead.
Penalties and mistakes from Clemson have masked the ineffectiveness of the Tar Heels offense. Clemson through the half has racked up seven penalties for 58 yards but the biggest mistake was on a fake punt on Clemson’s own 20 failed miserably and set up North Carolina to take the lead with under five minutes to play in the half.
Watson once again made something out of nothing and led his team to end the half ahead with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett. Watson has been nothing short of spectacular with 191 yards through the air, two touchdowns and 99 yards on the ground with a score.
North Carolina is going to have to come out and continue to grind but cannot rely on Clemson mistakes to keep them in this game. 37 yards on 15 carries will never be good enough to win this game for the Tar Heels and will need their leader Marquise Williams to step up big time if they want to knock off #1 Clemson and win the ACC Championship.
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
- Twitter @DarrellW_Sports or follow @TheSkyBoat for more!