Clemson Accomplishments 2012 and first in pass plays of 25 yards or more with 51. finished eighth in the nation. •Clemson led the ACC in scoring at 41.0 points per •Clemson finished the season third in the ACC in Team game, tied for first in total touchdowns with 68, sacks with 34 and second in negative sack yardage •Won 11 games for the first time since 1981 and for first in total offense (512.7 yards per game), first with 257. That included six sacks in the win over just the fourth year in Clemson history joining the in passing offense (321.6 yards per game), first LSU, the second most sacks in a bowl game in teams of 1948, 1978 and 1981. in passing efficiency at 163.1, first in touchdown Clemson history. •Second consecutive season of at least 10 wins, first passes (40), first in third down conversion •Clemson finished 20th in the nation in total sacks time the program has done that since 1987-90 era. percentage (51.5 percent), first in fourth down and 13th in sack yardage. •Ranked ninth in final USA Today poll and 11th by conversions (77.,8) and first in red-zone scoring •Clemson was 20th nationally in red-zone defense Associated Press. First top 10 in either ranking for (94.92). percentage. Clemson program since the 1990 season when •Clemson finished the season with a 25-24 win over •Clemson was 15th in the nation in negative yardage Tigers were ninth in both polls. LSU, a game in which the Tigers ran 100 plays, and on tackles for loss with 381. •Won seven games in ACC play, tied for the most in picked up 445 yards of total offense against one of •Clemson was 17th in the nation in kickoff coverage. a season in Clemson history. the nation’s top 10 defenses in terms of scoring and •The Tigers led the ACC in fourth down conversion •Ranked in every poll during the season for the total defense. defense at 42.3 percent. first time since 2000. Has streak of 29 straight polls •Clemson led the ACC in redzone defense as well with a top 25 ranking, one of six schools that can Individual allowing 75 percent scores. The Tigers forced five make that claim, and it is the third longest streak in •Tajh Boyd became seventh 20-game winner in red-zone turnovers tied for first in the ACC. Clemson history. Clemson history and now has 21 wins entering his •Clemson defenders Grady Jarrett, Rashard Hall •Ranked in every BCS top 20 poll for the second senior year the same amount Steve Fuller had for and Malliciah Goodman all made ESPN’s All-ACC straight year. his career. Record is 32 by Rodney Williams, 1985- All-Bowl team for their performance against LSU. •Set Clemson record for consecutive home wins 88. Goodman set a Clemson bowl record with three with 13. •Boyd became first Clemson quarterback to be a sacks. •Set season record with seven consecutive wins by first-team All-American. Clemson center Dalton •Rashard Hall completed his career with 14 at least 14 points and nine total wins by 14 or more. Freeman did the same and they became third interceptions and 17 takeaways. He was fourth in •Set ACC record for consecutive games scoring at quarterback-center combination to be first-team school history in career interceptions and third in least 37 points (10). All-American by the Football Coaches Association career takeaways. He was also a semifinalist for the •Senior class set record for conference wins (regular since 1945. NCAA Senior Class Award. season) with 23, and total wins with 24 (including •Boyd was named the Most Valuable Player of •Seniors Rashard Hall and Jonathan Meeks finished ACC Championship game of 2011). the ACC as a junior and has a chance to be the their careers ranked in the top six in school history •Senior Class won 36 games total, sixth most first two-time winner of the award since Florida in interception return yards. in school history for a class and most since the State’s Charlie Ward in 1992-93. Steve Fuller is only seniors of 1991. All 13 seniors in the class have Clemson player to win it two times (1977-78). Special Teams graduated. •Boyd broke ACC record for touchdown •Chandler Catanzaro had a streak of 20 consecutive •Began and ended the season with wins over top 25 responsibility (46) and broke his own mark for made field goals over the 2011 and 2012 seasons, SEC teams in the Georgia Dome. Beat #25 Auburn touchdown passes with (36). the fourth longest streak in ACC history. in opener, then defeated seventh ranked LSU in the •Chandler Catanzaro made 20 consecutive field •Catanzaro’s 37-yard field goal on the last play of Chick-fil-A Bowl, highest ranked Clemson win in a goals over two years, Clemson record and fourth the game gave the Tigers a 25-24 win over seventh bowl since 2003. longest streak in ACC history. He made the game ranked LSU, the highest ranked team Clemson has •Clemson overcame a deficit entering the fourth winning field goal on the last play to defeat LSU beaten in a bowl game in nine years. It was the quarter to win a bowl game for the first time since in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and finished 18-19 for the fourth walk-off field goal in Clemson history, the 1959 when it defeated seventh ranked LSU on New season. second for Catanzaro. Year’s Eve. •DeAndre Hopkins established an ACC record for •Catanzaro finished the season 18-19 in terms of •Team had four All-Americans, including QB Tajh touchdown receptions with 18 and for consecutive field goal percentage, best in Clemson history. He Boyd, C Dalton Freeman, WR DeAndre Hopkins and games with a touchdown reception with 10. was fourth in the nation in field goal percentage. WR Sammy Watkins. He finished his career first in school history in •Clemson had 50 touchbacks as a team on kickoffs, •Had six of the 11 first-team All-ACC players on reception touchdowns (27) and reception yards fifth most in the nation. offense, most in Clemson history and most by any (3,020). His 191 receiving yards in the Chick-fil-A •Spencer Benton kicked a 61-yard field goal against ACC team since Florida State in 1995. Bowl were the most of any player in the 2012 bowl Ball State, not only a Clemson record, but an ACC •Clemson had eight players named to ESPN All-ACC season and a record for the 45-year-old Chick-fil-a record and the longest in the nation this year. Bowl team. Bowl. •Just the second Clemson team in history with •Sammy Watkins set Clemson record for reception Tigers Lead Nation in Ranked Wins over SEC a 1000-yard rusher (Andre Ellington), 1000-yard yards in a game with 202 vs. Wake Forest Schools by Non-Conference Foes 2011-12 receiver (DeAndre Hopkins) and 3000-yard passer •Brandon Ford tied Clemson record for touchdown Ranked SEC teams have lost seven (Tajh Boyd). receptions in a season by a tight end (8) and a games to non-conference opponents the last two career (12). He tied the school record for catches by years and Clemson owns three of those wins. The Offense a tight end in any game with nine against LSU. Tigers defeated a 19th ranked Auburn team at •Had four different offensive players who made first •Andre Ellington became fourth player in Clemson Clemson in 2011, a 25th ranked Auburn team to or second-team All-American in 2012. Those were history with two 1000-yard rushing seasons. open 2012 and ended the 2012 season with a win quarterback Tajh Boyd, wide receivers DeAndre over seventh ranked LSU at the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Hopkins and Sammy Watkins, and center Dalton Defense Clemson will begin the 2013 season Freeman. •Clemson ranked in the top 25 in the nation in against a top 10 ranked Georgia team. •Clemson offense set 101 school records on an three-and-outs with 52, including eight in the bowl individual and team basis. victory over seventh ranked LSU. Clemson had Below is a list of the non-conference wins over •Among the more significant team records were more three and outs on defense than Notre Dame’s top 25 SEC teams over the last two years: most points (533), most total offense (6665), most defense in 2012. plays (1062), most passing yards (4181). •Clemson’s defense held LSU to just 219 yards total School SEC Opp AP-USA Year Site Score •In terms of national rankings, Clemson was sixth in offense in the Chick-fil-Bowl, including just 99 yards Clemson Auburn 21-19 2011 Clemson, SC 38-24 scoring (41.0), ninth in total offense (512.7), seventh rushing. LSU entered the game averaging 180 Clemson Auburn 25-NR 2012 Atlanta, GA 26-19 in total plays run (1062), third in touchdown passes yards a game in terms of rushing. The 219 total Clemson LSU 9-7 2012 Atlanta, GA 25-24 (40), fourth in passing efficiency (163.03), fifth in yards were the second lowest of the season for the Boise State Georgia 19-22 2011 Atlanta, GA 35-21 third-down conversion percentage, sixth in passing seventh-ranked Tigers. LA Monroe Arkansas 8-10 2012 Fayetteville, AR 34-31 yards per attempt (8.8), and 13th in passing yards •Clemson was third in the ACC in scoring defense, Louisville Florida 3-4 2012 New Orleans, LA 33-23 per game (321.2). second in conference games. Michigan St Georgia 18-18 2011 Tampa, FL 33-30 •Clemson set ACC records for total offense yards in •Clemson’s defense had two of the top five leaders a season (6665), total plays (1062) and touchdown in the ACC in quarterback sacks in Vic Beasley Clemson Indoor Football History passes (40). and Malliciah Goodman. Beasley had eight and Clemson has a 6-5 all-time record in indoor foot- •Clemson also led the nation in scoring percentage Goodman had seven, including a Clemson bowl ball games. That includes the 25-24 victory over in the redzone at 94.92 percent, was tied for first in record three in the Chick-fil-A Bowl win vs. LSU. seventh ranked LSU in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl. fourth down conversion percentage (77.,8 percent) Goodman also led the ACC in forced fumbles and Clemson will play at Syracuse in an indoor game in 2013. Louisiana State and Oklahoma have the most with ka). Clemson has a 4-5 mark in the Georgia Dome, five, while Alabama, Boise State, Florida, Ohio State, Clemson’s Highest Ranked Wins a 1-0 record in the Superdome (against Tulane Oregon, and Virginia Tech are tied for third with four Year Opponent Site Rankings Score in 1981), and a 1-0 record in Japan’s Tokyo Dome apiece. 2003 Florida State H 3-3 26-10 (against Duke in 1991). Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and 2011 Virginia Tech N 5-3 38-10 TCU all have three top-15 finishes apiece during that 1981 Georgia H 4-4 13-3 Double Digit Wins time period. 1981 Nebraska N 4-4 22-15 Clemson recorded its 10th victory of the 2012 2003 Tennessee N 6-7 27-14 season, including its seventh in a row, in a 62-48 win Clemson Enters 2013 on 29-Poll Streak 1959 TCU N 7-8 23-7 over N.C. State on November 17. It is the first time Clemson was ranked ninth by USA Today and 2012 LSU N 9-7 25-24 since the 1987-90 era that Clemson has had con- 11th by AP in the final polls for 2012. Clemson is on 1981 North Carolina A 8-9 10-8 secutive 10-win seasons. Clemson was 10-4 in 2011 a streak of 29 straight weeks ranked in the top 25 of 2009 Miami (FL) A 8-9 40-37 when the Tigers won the ACC championship.. at least one poll entering the 2013 season. 2006 Florida State A 9-10 27-20 Clemson has nine seasons of 10+ wins in his- It is the longest streak Clemson has been ranked 2001 Georgia Tech A 9-11 47-44 tory. The first double-digit victory season came in in at least one poll since the October 23, 1989 to Oc- 1983 North Carolina A 10-9 16-3 1948, when Frank Howard’s team had a perfect 11-0 tober 24, 1992 era, when the Tigers were ranked in 1983 Maryland H 11-9 52-27 record, including a Gator Bowl win over Missouri. a record 50 consecutive polls (at least one). Clem- Note: AP ranking listed first, followed byUSA Today Clemson also won the Southern Conference that son was also ranked in 45 straight polls (at least one ranking; home games in bold. year. each week) between November 3, 1986 to October The record for wins in a season is 12, set by the 9, 1989. The only week Clemson was not ranked in a Clemson’s 2012 Offense Among ACC’s Best 1981 team. That team was 11-0 in the regular sea- 95-poll streak between 1986-92 was on October 16, Clemson’s 2012 offense was among the best son, then beat #4 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl to 1989 after a loss to Georgia Tech at Memorial Sta- in ACC history. In terms of scoring, Clemson’s 533 win the national title. dium. points are second-most in league history, and just 17 The win over the LSU gave Clemson 11 wins for Therefore, this streak of 29 in a row is the third- points short of the record 550 Florida State scored in the first time since 1981 and for just the fourth time longest streak in Clemson history. Alabama, Clem- 14 games in 2012. in Clemson history. The other seasons with at least son, Louisiana State, Oregon, South Carolina, and Clemson’s 41-point average was fourth-highest in 11 wins are 1948, 1978 and 1981. Stanford are the only schools in the nation who have ACC history, and Clemson’s 68 touchdowns are tied also been ranked in at least 29 consecutive polls. for the third-most in league history as well. Florida Clemson 10-Win Seasons State scored 68 this year also. Year Head Coach W-L Win % Bowl Six Wins over Top 25 Teams Last Two Years In terms of total offense, Clemson had 6,665 1981 Danny Ford 12-0 100.0 Orange When Clemson defeated seventh ranked LSU in yards, most in school history. In terms of yards per 1948 Frank Howard 11-0 100.0 Gator the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year’s Eve 2012, it gave game, the 512.7-yard average for the 2012 team is 1978 Charley Pell & Danny Ford 11-1 91.7 Gator Clemson six wins over top 25 teams the last two fourth-best and one of just seven teams in ACC his- 1987 Danny Ford 10-2 83.3 Citrus seasons. Clemson opened the 2012 season with a tory to average at least 500 yards per game. 1988 Danny Ford 10-2 83.3 Citrus win in the same facility over 25th ranked Auburn. 1989 Danny Ford 10-2 83.3 Gator So over the last two years Clemson has 21 wins and ACC Bests For Points in a Season 1990 Ken Hatfield 10-2 83.3 Hall of Fame six of them are against top 25 teams, including four Rk School Year W-L G TD Pts/G Pts 2011 Dabo Swinney 10-4 71.4 Orange against teams ranked in the top 11 of at least one 1. Florida State 2012 12-2 14 68 39.3 550 2012 Dabo Swinney 11-2 84.6 Chick-fil-A poll. 2. Clemson 2012 11-2 13 68 41.0 533 Clemson defeated four top-25 teams in 2011, the 3. Florida State 1995 9-2 11 72 48.4 532 Back to Back 10-win Seasons most in one season in school history. Each of the 4. Florida State 2000 11-1 12 67 42.4 509 Clemson has recorded back-to-back 10-win sea- last four wins over top 25 teams have been away 5. N.C. State 2003 8-5 13 65 37.6 489 sons. The Tigers were 10-4 in 2011 and won the ACC from home. 6. North Carolina 2012 8-4 12 56 40.6 487 Championship with a 38-10 victory over #3 Virginia Clemson Wins over Top 25 7. Virginia Tech 2010 11-3 14 59 33.9 474 Tech. In 2012, Clemson finished 11-2, including a 7-1 Date Opponent AP-USA Score 8. Georgia Tech 2009 11-3 14 62 33.8 473 ACC record that tied for the Atlantic Division title. 9-17-2011 Auburn 21-19 38-24 9. Clemson 2011 10-4 14 58 33.6 470 This is the first time Clemson has had consecu- 9-24-2011 Florida State 11-14 35-30 10. N.C. State 2002 11-3 14 62 32.9 460 tive 10-win seasons since the 1987-90 era, when 10-1-2011 at-Virginia Tech 11-10 23-3 Clemson had four consecutive 10-win seasons. In all 12-3-2011 N-Virginia Tech 5-3 38-10 ACC Bests For Points Per Game in a Season four of those years, Clemson won the 10th game in 9-1-2012 N-Auburn NR-25 26-19 Rk School Year W-L G TD Pts Pts/G a bowl game. Clemson is the only ACC school and 12-31-2012 N-LSU 7-9 25-24 1. Florida State 1995 9-2 11 72 532 48.4 one of just 13 schools nationally with at least 10 Note: Home games in bold. 2. Florida State 1993 11-1 12 70 518 43.2 wins each of the last two seasons. 3. Florida State 2000 11-1 12 67 509 42.4 Clemson Breaks Home Winning Streak Record 4. Clemson 2012 11-2 13 68 533 41.0 10--Plus Win Seasons 2011, 2012 Clemson set the school record for consecutive 5. Georgia Tech 1999 8-3 11 59 448 40.7 School 2011 2012 wins in Memorial Stadium with its win over Mary- 6. North Carolina 2012 8-4 12 56 487 40.6 Alabama 12-1 13-1 land on November 10. The Tigers increased it to 13 7. Virginia 1990 8-3 11 56 442 40.2 Arkansas State 10-3 10-3 in a row with a victory over N.C. State on November Boise State 12-1 11-2 17. That set the record for most consecutive wins at ACC Bests For Touchdowns in a Season Cincinnati 10-3 10-3 home, regardless of site. South Carolina ended the Rk School Year W-L G Run Pass Ret. Tot Clemson 10-4 11-2 streak on November 24 with a 27-17 win over the 1. Florida State 1995 9-2 11 35 36 1 72 Georgia 10-4 12-2 Tigers. 2. Florida State 1993 11-1 12 26 37 7 70 Kansas State 10-3 11-2 3. Clemson 2012 11-2 13 26 40 2 68 Louisiana State 13-1 10-3 Clemson’s Highest Ranked Victories Florida State 2012 12-2 14 40 24 4 68 Northern Illinois 11-3 12-2 Clemson defeated #7 Louisiana State on Decem- 5. Florida State 2000 11-1 12 27 36 4 67 Oklahoma 10-3 10-3 ber 31 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. It was the 13th tri- 6. N.C. State 2002 11-3 14 33 20 9 62 Oregon 12-2 12-1 umph in school history over a team ranked in the top Georgia Tech 2009 11-3 14 47 11 4 62 South Carolina 11-2 11-2 nine of at least one of the major polls. The last time North Carolina 2012 8-4 12 28 29 3 62 Stanford 11-2 12-2 Clemson did that was 2011, when Clemson beat #3 Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game. ACC Bests For Total Offense in a Season Tigers Finish in BCS Top 15 That win tied for the highest-ranked team Clem- Rk School Year W-L G Run Pass Off./G Total Clemson was #14 in the final BCS standings, re- son has beaten. The Tigers also beat #3 Florida State 1. Clemson 2012 11-2 13 2484 4181 512.7 6665 leased on December 2. It marked the third time in in 2003. 2. Florida State 2012 12-2 14 2882 3709 470.8 6591 the last six years that Clemson finished in the top Clemson’s other two top-five wins came in the 3. Florida State 2000 11-1 12 1980 4608 549.0 6588 15 of the BCS standings and the fourth time overall. 1981 season, a 13-3 victory over #4 Georgia and fu- 4. Florida State 1993 11-1 12 2667 3909 548.0 6576 Clemson was #15 in 2011 and #15 in 2007. The 2000 ture Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, and a 5. Georgia Tech 2012 7-7 14 4357 1818 441.1 6175 season is the only other year Clemson had a top-15 22-15 victory over #4 Nebraska and future Heisman 6. Clemson 2011 10-4 14 2219 3952 440.8 6171 finish in the BCS standings. Trophy winner Mike Rozier. Clemson defeated two 7. Florida State 1995 9-2 11 2442 3616 550.7 6058 Clemson is tied for ninth in the nation for the most Hall of Fame head coaches in those contests as well, top-15 BCS finishes since 2007 (the last six seasons). Vince Dooley (Georgia) and Tom Osborne (Nebras- ACC Bests For Total Offense Per Game in a Season (27-12). Points off Turnover Rk School Year W-L G Run Pass Total Off./G A look to the stats shows that Clemson averaged Clemson had a 111-51 advantage in points off 1. Florida State 1995 9-2 11 2442 3616 6058 550.7 27 points, 6.7 yards per play, 306 yards of total of- turnovers in 2012, and Clemson was 8-0 when it won 2. Florida State 2000 11-1 12 1980 4608 6558 549.0 fense, 203 passing yards, and 104 rushing yards in that statistic. Clemson has actually won 14 consecu- 3. Florida State 1993 11-1 12 2667 3909 6576 548.0 the first half in 2012. Clemson has had at least 35 tive games when it wins the points off turnover stat. 4. Clemson 2012 11-2 13 2484 4181 6665 512.7 points in the first half in five games. The last loss took place at Auburn in 2010, a 27-24 5. Georgia Tech 1999 8-3 11 2482 3117 5599 509.0 In 11 of the 13 games, Clemson had at least 248 overtime loss. 6. Duke 1989 8-3 11 1966 3553 5519 501.7 yards of total offense by halftime, and in eight of Since Dabo Swinney became head coach in 2008, 7. Virginia 1990 8-3 11 2831 2685 5516 501.5 the 12, Clemson had at least 190 passing yards in Clemson is 26-3 when it wins the points off turn- the first half. Clemson scored at least 13 points in overs stat and has a 24-3 record when winning the 700 Club the first half of all 13 games and scored at least 20 turnover margin. The Tigers were 5-1 in that area in Clemson gained 718 yards (334 rushing, 384 pass- points in nine games. 2012, with the only loss coming at #4 Florida State ing) at Duke on November 3. It was just the second when Clemson won the turnover margin 2-1. time in school history Clemson totaled at least 300 2012 Clemson Offense Stats in First Half rushing yards and 300 passing yards in the same Opponent FD PY RY PL Yards Pts Clemson Honored for Graduation Rate game. The first instance was in a 70-14 win over Auburn 16 128 147 48 275 13 Clemson was one of 18 schools to be honored by Central Michigan, led by Head Coach Butch Jones, Ball State 21 269 113 52 382 45 the AFCA for its graduation success rate of at least in 2007. Therefore, this was the first time Clemson Furman 12 192 106 32 298 20 90 percent. Each year, AFCA presents an academic accomplished the feat on the road and the first time Florida State 14 195 58 39 253 21 achievement award to the school with the highest it was accomplished in an ACC game. Boston College 15 158 99 43 257 24 GSR, and also announces an honorable mention Then in the win over N.C. State, the Tigers did it Georgia Tech 16 251 70 50 321 27 list. again. Clemson had 754 yards (328 rushing, 426 Virginia Tech 8 72 65 34 137 17 Northwestern and Stanford both recorded gradu- passing). Wake Forest 14 286 57 39 343 35 ation success rates of 100 percent for the six-year Overall, it was the second-highest total offense Duke 20 314 173 43 487 42 cohort. Clemson was joined on the list of schools game in school history and is topped only by the Maryland 18 213 97 47 310 35 with at least a 90-percent GSR by Air Force, Alabama, 756 yards the Tigers gained in a win over Wake For- N.C. State 20 247 194 61 441 41 Boston College, Duke, Mississippi, Nevada, Northern est in 1981. That day, Clemson had a school-record South Carolina 14 131 106 40 237 14 Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn 536 rushing yards and 220 passing yards in the 82- LSU 18 177 71 54 248 13 State, Rutgers, Stanford, TCU, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, and 24 win at Death Valley. Totals 206 2633 1356 582 3989 347 Wake Forest. Clemson had an incredible 487 yards on 43 plays Per Game 15.8 202.5 104.3 44.8 306.8 26.7 Clemson was joined by Alabama, Notre Dame, in the first half at Duke, then had 441 yards in the Note: Home games in bold. and Stanford as the only schools in the nation in first half against N.C. State. Those are the top two the top 20 of the final BCS standings with at least a halves in Clemson history in terms of total offense. Leading Entering Fourth Quarter 90-percent graduation success rate. There have been just 13 games in ACC history in One thing Clemson has done well the last two which a team has had at least 700 yards. Clemson years is holding a fourth-quarter lead. The Tigers are Clemson Lauded for APR Scores did it twice in 2012. 17-0 the last two years when leading entering the The Tiger football and golf programs were both fourth quarter (8-0 in 2011 and 9-0 in 2012). honored when the NCAA released its Academic Per- Top Total Offense Games in ACC History Clemson has an active streak of 18 consecutive formance Public Recognition Awards. Both were Rk School Opponent Year Yards wins when leading entering the fourth quarter. among the top-10 percent of all programs nationally 1. Florida State Maryland 1992 858 Clemson’s last loss in that situation was a 16-13 de- in terms of APR scores. 2. Maryland Virginia 1975 802 feat at Florida State in 2010, a game Clemson led It was the second time both programs have been 3. Florida State Duke 1995 797 10-6 entering the fourth quarter. among the top-10 percent in the nation. It is the 4. Florida State Clemson 2000 771 Overall, Swinney is 33-3 when leading entering second consecutive year for Dabo Swinney’s foot- 5. Georgia Tech Kansas 2011 768 the fourth quarter since he became Clemson’s head ball squad, while Larry Penley’s golf team was also 6. Clemson Wake Forest 1981 756 coach in October of 2008. The three losses are Geor- honored in 2004-05. 7. Clemson N.C. State 2012 754 gia Tech in 2008 (his first game as head coach), TCU Fourteen football programs were honored by 8. Florida State Wake Forest 1995 749 in 2009, and Florida State in 2010. the NCAA. The list included ACC schools Clemson, 9. Florida State N.C. State 1995 745 Clemson came from behind to win the Chick-fil-A Duke, and Miami (FL). The ACC was the only confer- 10. Florida State Maryland 1994 731 Bowl. The Tigers outscored LSU 12-0 in the fourth ence with three schools on the football list. 11. Clemson Duke 2012 718 period to win by one. Clemson and Northern Illinois were the only schools in the nation to win their conference cham- Winning Total Offense an Indicator of Victory Tigers Score Every Way Possible pionship and be in the top-10 percent in the nation Clemson had a 10-0 record in 2012 when it out- Clemson scored every possible way in its victory in terms of APR scores in 2011. Boise State, Clemson, gained the opposition (yards) and is 20-0 over the over Georgia Tech on October 6 in its 47-31 victory. and Stanford were the only schools to finish in the last two years. The 20-game winning streak dates The Tigers scored five touchdowns, kicked three AP top 25 and in the top-10 percent in terms of APR to the 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl, when Clemson field goals, kicked five extra points, had a two-point scores in 2011. outgained South Florida 296-279, but lost the game conversion, and added a safety. It marked the first The ranking includes APR scores for the 2007-08, 31-26. time Clemson had scored every possible way since 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 academic years. Overall, Clemson has a 35-2 record under Head the 2007 Virginia Tech game, a contest the Tigers Coach Dabo Swinney when it outgains the oppo- lost 41-23. Clemson also scored every possible way National Leaders in APR Scores sition. The only other loss also took place in 2010, against N.C. State in 1998 in its 46-39 defeat. Rk School Conference APR when Clemson outgained Florida State 391-307 in 1. Northwestern Big Ten 995 Tallahassee, but lost 16-13. Third Down & Fourth Down Success 2. Duke ACC 989 Clemson was one of the top schools in the na- Boise State MWC 989 Seven Straight Wins by 14+ Points tion when it came to third-down and fourth-down 4. Ohio State Big 10 988 Clemson won a school-record seven consecutive conversion offense in 2012. Clemson tied for the na- 5. Northern Illinois MAC 987 games by 14+ points, all in ACC play, this year. Clem- tional lead in fourth-down conversion percentage, 6. Rice Conference USA 986 son had a six-game streak of wins by 14+ points converting 14-18 opportunities (77.8 percent). That 7. Clemson ACC 983 from 1989-90. Clemson also won six games in a row included converting a fourth and 16 in the Chick-fil- Middle Tennessee Sun Belt 983 by 14+ points in 1978. The 2012 streak began with A Bowl against LSU on its last drive of the game that 9. Rutgers Big East 982 a 45-31 win over Boston College on September 29. led to a game winning field goal on the last play. 10. Air Force Mountain West 980 The last victory in the streak was a 62-48 win over The Tigers’ third-down conversion rate is 50.5 Note: May, 2012 release. N.C. State. percent (106-206), fifth-best in the nation. Clemson was solid on defense as well. Opponents converted Senior Class Had 36 Wins First Half Frenzy on third down just 34 percent of the time (24th-best Clemson’s 2012 senior class of 13 players played To say Clemson got off to a good start offensively in the nation) and 42.3 percent on fourth down its last game at the Chick-fil-A Bowl and finished in each of its 13 games in 2012 would be an under- (34th-best). with 36 wins for the four year period. Here are some statement. Clemson had the lead at halftime in 12 of their significant accomplishments. of the 13 games this year (all but the LSU game) and the average margin in Clemson’s favor was 15 points • Ha 36 wins, tied for the sixth-most in school history and the most by a Tiger senior class since 1991. that had much to do with Notre Dame’s move to the Clemson’s Winningest Starting Quarterbacks • Established Clemson class record for conference ACC (announced on September 12). That weekend Rk Player Years W-L regular-season wins (23). during the third quarter of Clemson’s game against 1. Rodney Williams 1985-88 32-10-2 • Won ACC Atlantic Division three of four years. Furman, Barker put on the Tiger mascot suit and did 2. Charlie Whitehurst 2002-05 25-15 • Won program’s first ACC Championship in 20 years the Tiger’s job of doing the pushups after Clemson 3. Nealon Greene 1994-97 24-16 (2011). scored to give the Tigers a 27-7 lead. 4. Homer Jordan 1979-82 22-6-1 • Recorded two seasons with 10 wins, the first class Barker put the Tiger suit on at halftime and 5. Steve Fuller 1975-78 21-11-3 to do that since the seniors of 1992. walked around anonymously on the Clemson side- Mike Eppley 1980-84 21-5-1 • Won 11 games in 2012, were the most since 1981 lines in the third quarter. When the Tigers scored at Tajh Boyd 2010-12 21-6 (12-0). the 12:10 mark of the third quarter, Barker did the 8. DeChane Cameron 1989-91 19-4-1 • Set the Clemson record in 2012 with 10 wins by required 27 pushups after Andre Ellington’s touch- Woodrow Dantzler 1998-01 19-11 two touchdowns or more. down. At the conclusion of the exercise, he took off 10. Harvey White 1957-59 18-7 • Took Clemson to four bowl games, including its the mascot head, much to the delight of the crowd. first BCS bowl appearance in 30 years. Boyd Named ACC Player of the Year • Beat eight top-25 teams in the last four years, in- Sack-Man Beasley Tajh Boyd was named ACC Player-of-the-Year and cluding a season-record four in 2011. Sophomore defensive end Vic Beasley recorded ACC Offensive Player-of-the-Year in the 2012- sea • Set the ACC record for consecutive wins over top- three sacks in Clemson’s win over N.C. State. The son. Earlier, Boyd was named First-Team All-ACC for 25 teams (3) in 2011. tackles resulted in 21 negative yards against Mike the second straight season and is the first Clemson • Helped establish the school record for consecutive Glennon. He finished fifth in the ACC in sacks (8). quarterback to be a two-time, first-team selection home wins (13). What is amazing is that Beasley did not start a since Steve Fuller (1977,78). • Had an active streak of 29 consecutive weeks game and played only 288 snaps. He also had 18 Fuller was named ACC Player-of-the-Year in both ranked in both polls, the third-longest streak in tackles, two pass breakups, and eight quarterback of those seasons. Boyd is the first Clemson quarter- Clemson history. pressures. Therefore, eight of his 18 tackles were back to receive ACC Player-of-the-Year honors since • Finished in the top 25 of the BCS standings three sacks. He averaged 28 snaps a game over the last Fuller in 1978. of four years and in every BCS listing the last two six contests and had six sacks in those games. Boyd is the seventh different Tiger to be named years. Beasley averaged a sack every 36 snaps in 2012. ACC Player-of-the-Year and the second in the last • Contributed to Clemson having the seventh-best When Da’Quan Bowers led the nation in sacks in four years. C.J. Spiller, now a running back with the APR score (983) in FBS in 2012. 2010, he averaged a sack every 44.1 snaps. The Buffalo Bills, won the award in 2009. However, be- •All 13 members of the class earned their under- late Gaines Adams averaged a sack every 46 snaps fore Spiller, you have to go back to Michael Dean graduate degree. in 2006 when he was named ACC Defensive Player- Perry in 1987. • of-the-Year. Keith Adams averaged a sack every 54 Wins By a Tiger Senior snaps when he set the Clemson single-season re- Clemson’s ACC Player-of-the-Year Class cord with 16 sacks in 1999. Selections Rk Year W-L Year Player Pos. 1. 1990 40-8 Benton Sets ACC Record 1967 Buddy Gore TB 2. 1991 39-8-1 Spencer Benton set an ACC record in Clemson’s 1977 Steve Fuller QB 3. 1989 38-8-2 win over Ball State. Benton booted a 61-yard field 1978 Steve Fuller QB 4. 1984 37-6-2 goal, with a few yards to spare, on the last play of the 1981 Jeff Davis LB 1981 37-10 first half to establish an ACC record for longest field 1984 William Perry MG 6. 1983 36-7-2 goal. That is 60 years of placekicks, so that is quite a 1987 Michael Dean Perry DT 2012 36-18 record. Benton broke the record of 60 yards by Gary 2009 C.J. Spiller RB 7. 1982 35-10-1 Cismesia (Florida State) against Florida in 2007. 2012 Tajh Boyd QB 9. 1992 34-12-1 Benton’s field goal was four yards longer than 1988 34-12-2 the previous Clemson record. Obed Ariri made a Boyd Among Best in ACC History 57-yarder against Wake Forest in 1977 and Chris Gar- Tajh Boyd set nine ACC records in 2012 and is Hopkins and Watkins Top Receiving Duo docki made a 57-yarder against Appalachian State in among the best in league history for his perfor- The receiving duo of DeAndre Hopkins and 1990. Each of those previous kicks were also made mance this year. Sammy Watkins is the top receiving yardage duo in at Memorial Stadium. Clemson history on a season basis. That was actu- Sixty-yard field goals are rare, especially since the Boyd’s ACC Records ally established in 2011 when they combined for NCAA outlawed the use of a tee for placekicks in • Total offense by a junior (4,410). The previous 2,197 receiving yards in 14 games. They then com- 1988. When Benton made his 61-yarder, it was just record was 3,998 by Russell Wilson (N.C. State) in bined for 2113 yards in 2012, and that is the second the fourth field goal of 60+ yards this century. Then, 2010. highest total for two receivers on the same Clemson Furney made the fifth just hours later. September 8, • Points responsible for in a game (48) against N.C. team. In fact they are the only duo to go over 2000 2012 was the first time since October 11, 1986 that State. The previous record was 36 by many. yards for a season, and they did it twice. two players made field goals 60+ yards on the same • Points responsible for in a season (278). He had the In just two seasons (2011,12), they combined for day. Ironically, Ball State was involved in that day. previous mark (228). 293 receptions for 4,310 yards and 36 touchdowns. • 4,000-yard total offense seasons (2). Both earned All-America honors, Watkins in 2011 as Longest FBS Field Goals, 21st Century • Touchdown responsibility in a season (46). a freshman and Hopkins in 2012 as a junior. Player School Opponent Date FG • Passing touchdowns in a season (36). Phillip Rivers In 14 games in 2011, they combined for 154 re- Jose Martinez Texas-El Paso Central Florida 9-27-08 64 had previous mark with 34. ceptions for 2,197 yards and 17 touchdowns, all Spencer Benton Clemson Ball State 9-8-12 61 • Passing yards by a junior (3,896). bests for any receiving duo in Clemson history for Matt Szymanski Southern Methodist Texas Tech 9-5-10 61 • Touchdown responsibility (8) against N.C. State. one season. In 2012, they had 139 combined recep- Gary Cismesia Florida State Florida 11-24-07 60 • Passing touchdowns in consecutive games (10) at tions for 2,113 yards and 21 touchdowns. They did Andrew Furney Washington State Eastern Washington 9-8-12 60 Wake Forest and Duke. that in four less games, as Watkins played just 10 games in 2012, plus Clemson played one less game Boyd 20-Game Winner ACC Total Offense Season Bests as a team. Tajh Boyd has a 21-6 career record as a starting Rk Player School Year G Yards quarterback, the seventh player in school history 1. Philip Rivers N.C. State 2003 13 4600 Clemson’s Top Receiving Duos to quarterback the Tigers to at least 20 wins in a ca- 2. Matt Ryan Boston College 2007 14 4509 Year #1 Receiver (Yards) #2 Receiver (Yards) Total reer. That 21-6 record includes a 13-1 mark at Me- 3. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2012 13 4410 2011 Sammy Watkins (1,219) DeAndre Hopkins (978) 2197 morial Stadium. He was the common denominator 4. Chris Weinke Florida State 2000 12 4070 2012 DeAndre Hopkins (1,405) Sammy Watkins (708) 2113 to Clemson’s 13-game winning streak at home, the 5. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2011 14 4046 2003 Derrick Hamilton (1,026) Kevin Youngblood (897) 1923 longest in school history. He has led Clemson to 1999 Rod Gardner (1,084) Brian Wofford (793) 1877 six wins over top 25 teams in his two seasons as the ACC Passing Yardage Season Bests 2007 Aaron Kelly (1,081) Tyler Grisham (653) 1734 starter. Rk Player School Year G Yards The all-time leader in wins is Rodney Williams, 1. Matt Ryan Boston College 2007 14 4507 Presidential Pushups who won 32 games between 1985-88. Charlie 2. Philip Rivers N.C. State 2003 13 4491 It was a big week for Clemson President Jim Barker Whitehurst is second with 25 wins. 3. Chris Weinke Florida State 2000 12 4167 from September 9-15. First, he was acknowledged 4. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2012 13 3896 at the league press conference as an ACC president 5. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2011 14 3828 ACC Passing Touchdowns Seasons Bests Boyd Stats Righ With Heisman Finalists State, the kick that broke Ariri’s record. He made Rk Player School Year G TD A look to the national statistics shows that Tajh three field goals during the streak from 30-39 yards 1. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2012 13 36 Boyd had comparable statistics with 2012 Heisman and 10 from 18-29 yards. 2. Philip Rivers N.C. State 2003 13 34 Trophy finalist quarterbacks Johnny Manziel (Texas Catanzaro is the most accurate placekicker in 3. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2011 14 33 A&M) and Collin Klein (Kansas State). B o y d Clemson history from 40+ yards. For his career, Chris Weinke Florida State 2000 12 33 was best when comparing the three players in terms he has made 20-27 field goals from 40+ yards (74 5. Danny Kanell Florida State 1995 11 32 of passing efficiency, passing yards per game, yards percent). His 20 made field goals of 40+ yards are per passing attempt, and passing touchdowns, pass second-most in school history, only behind Chris ACC Touchdown Responsibility Season Bests plays of 25+ yards. He had just one less touchdown Gardocki, who made 23-39 field-goal attempts from Rk Player School Year G TD than Manziel in terms of touchdown responsibility. that distance between 1988-90. 1. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2012 13 46 Catanzaro was named one of 20 semifinalists for 2. Tajh Boyd Clemson 2011 14 38 Passing Efficiency the Lou Groza Award. It is the second consecutive 3. Philip Rivers N.C. State 2003 13 37 Player Rank Stat year he was named a semifinalist. Russell Wilson N.C. State 2010 13 37 Tajh Boyd 5 165.6 5. Joe Hamilton Georgia Tech 1999 11 35 Collin Klein 16 155.3 ACC Leaders in Consecutive Made Field Goals Johnny Manziel 25 149.3 Rk Player School Year(s) FG Boyd Set Two Records at Wake Forest 1. Marc Primanti N.C. State 1995-96 27 Tajh Boyd set multiple records in Clemson’s 42-13 Passing Yards Per Game 2. Brandon Pace Virginia Tech 2005-06 22 win at Wake Forest on October 25. He completed Player Rank Stat 3. Chris Hazley Virginia Tech 2010-11 21 27-38 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns in Tajh Boyd 14 299.7 4. Chandler Catanzaro Clemson 2011-12 20 the contest. His 428 passing yards broke the school Johnny Manziel 20 285.1 5. Connor Barth North Carolina 2009-10 19 record of 420 passing yards, set by Charlie White- Collin Klein 73 203.5 6. Will Snyderwine Duke 2010 18 hurst at Duke in 2002. Graham Gano Florida State 2008 18 A look to the chart below shows that Boyd has Passing Touchdowns nine of the top 11 passing yardage games in Clem- Player Rank Stat Ellington a 1000-Yard Rusher Again son history. Six of them took place in 2012. Tajh Boyd 5 36 Senior running back Andre Ellington had 1,081 Johnny Manziel 24 26 rushing yards in 2012, his second consecutive sea- Clemson Single-Game Passing Yardage Leaders Collin Klein 59 16 son with at least 1,000 yards on the ground. This was Yds C-A Player Opp. (Score CU-Opp.) Date the 16th 1,000-yard rushing season in Clemson his- 428 27-38 Tajh Boyd Wake Forest (42-13) 10-25-2012 Yards Per Passing Attempt tory. Ellington joined Raymond Priester, Woodrow 426 30-44 Tajh Boyd N.C. State (62-48) 11-17-2012 Player Rank Stat Dantzler, and James Davis as Tiger with two 1,000- 420 34-52 Charlie Whitehurst Duke (34-31) 11-2-2002 Tajh Boyd 6 9.1 yard rushing seasons. 397 26-41 Tajh Boyd Georgia Tech (47-31) 10-6-2012 Collin Klein 10 8.7 When Ellington reached 1,000 rushing yards in 386 30-42 Tajh Boyd Auburn (38-24) 9-17-2011 Johnny Manziel 13 8.5 the South Carolina game, it made this 2012 team the 372 38-66 Cullen Harper Virginia Tech (23-41) 10-6-2007 fourth in school history with a 1,000-yard rusher and 367 27-46 Tajh Boyd North Carolina (59-38) 10-22-2011 Completion Percentage a 1,000-yard receiver. DeAndre Hopkins finished 367 28-38 Tajh Boyd Boston College (45-31) 9-29-2012 Player Rank Stat with 1,405 receiving yards. The only other Clemson 346 36-50 Tajh Boyd LSU (25-24) 12-31-12 Johnny Manziel 8 68.0 teams to do it are the 2000, 2007, and 2011 squads. 344 22-35 Tajh Boyd Florida State (35-30) 9-24-2011 Tajh Boyd 15 67.2 344 16-23 Tajh Boyd Duke (56-20) 11-3-2012 Collin Klein 31 64.8 Clemson Teams With 1,000-Yard Rusher & Receiver Year Rusher(s) Receiver Boyd’s Rusing Improvement Total Offense 2000 Woodrow Dantzler (1,028) Rod Gardner (1,050) One of the reasons for Clemson’s improvement to Player Rank Stat Travis Zachery (1,027) a top-10 offense in 2012 was the running of quarter- Johnny Manziel 1 393.5 2007 James Davis (1,064) Aaron Kelly (1,081) back Tajh Boyd. The junior from Hampton, VA had Tajh Boyd 7 339.3 2011 Andre Ellington (1,178) Sammy Watkins (1,219) 514 yards on 186 carries and 10 touchdowns. That is Collin Klein 35 274.7 2012 Andre Ellington (1,081) DeAndre Hopkins (1,405) the fifth-highest season rushing total for a quarter- back in Clemson history. His 10 rushing touchdowns TDs Rushing and Passing Freeman Made 49 Consecutive Starts are fourth-most among Clemson signal-callers as Player Rank Stat Dalton Freeman started 49 games in his career, all well. Johnny Manziel 1 47 in a row to finish his career. He tied former team- In 2011, Boyd had 218 yards on 142 carries in 14 Tajh Boyd 2 46 mate Landon Walker for the career record for starts games and scored five touchdowns, so he had more Collin Klein 11 39 by a Tiger, regardless of position. Walker started 49 than doubled his rushing yardage in one less gamed games at offensive tackle between 2008-11. Free- in 2012. First-Down Passes man played 959 snaps in 2012 and played 3,361 Boyd’s 514 rushing yards were the most since Player Rank Stat career snaps, more than any other Clemson player Dantzler had a school-quarterback-record 1,061 Johnny Manziel 14 165 regardless of position. rushing yards in 2001 in only 11 games. Tajh Boyd 16 163 Freeman was a first-team All-American according Boyd has picked up the pace in rushing in the sec- Collin Klein 53 123 to the Football Coaches Association and a secnd- ond half of the year. He had 360 rushing yards in the team Academic All-American according to CoSIDA. last eight games. He had 161 rushing yards in the Pass Plays of 25+ Yards He became the fourth different Clemson football first five games (32.2 yards per game). Player Rank Stat player to be an on field and academic All-American Boyd had a career-high 103 rushing yards in the Tajh Boyd 1 48 in the same year. Kyle Young did it twice. win over N.C. State when he also scored three touch- Johnny Manziel 4 41 downs on the ground. He became the first Clemson Collin Klein 41 25 Clemson Football Academic & On-Field All-Americans quarterback to score three touchdowns in a game Player Pos. Year Field Academic since Dantzler in 2000 against Duke. Catanzaro Streak Fourth Longest in ACC History Lou Cordileone OL 1959 AP (1) 1 Placekicker Chandler Catanzaro saw his streak Steve Fuller QB 1978 AP (3) 1 Top Tiger Quarterback Rushing Seasons of consecutive made field goals end at 20 when he Kyle Young C 2000 Sporting News (1) 1 Rk Player Year TD Car Yards just missed wide-left from 48 yards at Wake Forest Kyle Young C 2001 Sporting News (3) 1 1. Woodrow Dantzler 2001 10 221 1061 on October 25. Ironically, his previous miss was also Dalton Freeman C 2012 AFCA (1) 2 2. Woodrow Dantzler 2000 13 190 1028 against Wake Forest at Clemson in 2011. He was still 3. Steve Fuller 1978 10 153 649 18-19 in 2012 and has made 27 of his last 28 field- Hopkins Reaches 1000 Receiving Yards 4. Woodrow Dantzler 1999 4 146 586 goal attempts over two years. DeAndre Hopkins finished 2012 with 1,405 re- 5. Tajh Boyd 2012 10 186 514 The 20 consecutive made field goals by Catan- ceiving yards. He broke the record of 1219 that had 6. Steve Fuller 1976 6 157 503 zaro are a Clemson record. The previous mark was been held by teammate Sammy Watkins. Watkins 7. Homer Jordan 1981 6 168 486 14 in a row by Obed Ariri in 1980, so Catanzaro has had done it the previous year. So the top two re- 8. DeChane Cameron 1991 5 127 458 eclipsed a 32-year record by 43 percent. Seven of ceiving seasons in Clemson history have taken place his 20 consecutive made field goals were from 40+ in the two years Chad Morris has been offensive co- yards, including a career-long 50-yarder at Florida ordinator. Hopkins was one of 10 semifinalists for the Bilet- consecutive games by 14+ points at one point, a first yards per pass attempt. Boyd threw 427 passes that nikoff Award and was a second-team All-American. in Clemson history. led to 3896 yards, a 9.12 average. That was the best He finished with 12 100-yard games in hs career, also Swinney was named the winner of the 2011 Bob- yards per attempt figure by a Clemson quarterback a Clemson record. He also set the school record for by Dodd National Coach-of-the-Year Award. since 1947 (min 100 attempts) when Bobby Gage receiving touchdowns and receiving yards on a ca- averaged 9.19 yards per attempt on 109 throws. reer basis. Swinney Among ACC’s Best In fact, no Clemson quarterback had Head Coach Dabo Swinney has moved into the even broken the 8.0 barrier in that area since Clemson Season Leaders in Receiving Yards top 10 in ACC history for winningest coaches on a 1993 when Patrick Sapp average 8.15 yards an Rk Player Year G Rec. Avg. Yds percentage basis. That list includes coaches who attempt as a sophomore signal caller. Boyd had 1. DeAndre Hopkins 2012 13 82 17.1 1405 have been in the ACC at least three years, and it 48 completions of 25 yards or more in 2012 and 2. Sammy Watkins 2011 13 82 14.9 1219 applies to overall games and conference games. averaged 13.6 yards per completion. He led the 3. Rod Gardner 1999 12 80 13.6 1084 In fact, Swinney has a better percentage in league nation in pass completions of 25 yards or more. 4. Aaron Kelly 2007 13 88 12.3 1081 games than he does outside the conference. 5. Rod Gardner 2000 12 58 18.1 1050 Swinney has a 40-21 overall record (.6557), which Top Yards/Attempt Figures by Clemson QBs 6. Derrick Hamilton 2003 13 62 16.5 1026 is ninth-best. In league play, he is 27-12 (including Rk Player Year Att Yards Yds/Att 7. DeAndre Hopkins 2011 14 72 13.6 978 ACC Championship games), as the 69.2 winning per- 1. Bobby Gage 1947 109 1002 9.19 8. Perry Tuttle 1980 11 53 17.3 915 centage in league play is seventh-best, just ahead of 2. Tajh Boyd 2012 427 3896 9.12 9. Jerry Butler 1978 12 58 15.7 908 Jim Tatum and Frank Howard, two legendary coach- 3. Mike Eppley 1983 166 1410 8.49 10. Tony Horne 1997 12 70 13.0 907 es of the 1950s and 1960s. 4. Chris Morocco 1989 134 1131 8.44 5. Homer Jordan 1981 196 1630 8.32 Clemson Career Leaders in Receiving Yards ACC Winning Percentage Leaders (All Games) 6. Patrick Sapp 1993 133 1084 8.15 Rk Player, Pos. Years Rec. Yards Rk Head Coach School W-L Win % 7. Steve Fuller 1978 187 1515 8.10 1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR 2010-12 206 3020 1. Bobby Bowden Florida State 173-53-1 76.4 8. Steve Fuller 1977 205 1655 8.07 2. Aaron Kelly, WR 2005-08 232 2733 2. Danny Ford Clemson 96-29-4 76.0 9. Jimmy Addison 1966 186 1491 8.01 3. Terry Smith, WR 1990-93 162 2681 3. Frank Beamer Virginia Tech 87-28 75.7 (Min. 100 attempts) 4. Perry Tuttle, WR 1978-81 150 2534 4. Lou Holtz N.C. State 33-12-3 71.9 5. Rod Gardner, WR 1997-00 166 2498 5. Ken Hatfield Clemson 32-13-1 70.7 Clemson Ranked in Final Top 10 6. Derrick Hamilton, WR 2001-03 167 2312 6. Jim Tatum Maryland & North Carolina 41-19-2 67.7 Clemson finished ninth in the final USA 7. Jerry Butler, WR 1975-78 139 2223 7. Larry Coker Miami (FL) 25-12 67.5 Today poll and 11th in the final Associated Press 8. Airese Currie, WR 2001-04 138 2030 8. Jerry Claiborne Maryland 72-37-3 65.63 poll. It is the first time since the 1990 season that 9. Jacoby Ford, WR 2006-09 143 1986 9. Dabo Swinney Clemson 40-21 65.57 Clemson has finished in the top 10 in either of the 10. Sammy Watkins, WR 2011,12 139 1927 10. Dick Sheridan N.C. State 52-29-3 63.7 two polls. Note: Minimum three seasons. Clemson was ranked 13th by USA Clemson Career Leaders in Receiving Touchdowns Today and 14th by AP entering the bowl season. Rk Player, Pos. Years TD ACC Winning Percentage Leaders (ACC Games) But the Tigers defeated LSU, then ranked seventh 1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR 2010-12 27 Rk Head Coach School W-L Win % by USA Today and ninth by AP entering the bowl 2. Aaron Kelly, WR 2005-08 20 1. Bobby Bowden Florida State 118-27 81.4 season, by a 25-24 score in the Chick-fil-A Bowl 3. Glenn Smith, E 1949-51 18 2. Jerry Claiborne Maryland 46-11-1 80.2 on December 31. It was the highest ranked team 4. Perry Tuttle, WR 1978-81 17 3. Frank Beamer Virginia Tech 58-16 78.4 Clemson has defeated in a bowl game since the 5. Terrance Roulhac, WR 1983-86 16 4. Bill Murray Duke 54-15-2 77.5 2003 season when the Tigers defeated sixth ranked Derrick Hamilton, WR 2001-03 16 5. Danny Ford Clemson 44-14-1 75.4 Tennessee in the same bowl, 27-14. Jacoby Ford, WR 2006-09 16 6. Lou Holtz N.C. State 16-5-2 73.9 Clemson was ranked in every poll in 8. Terry Smith, WR 1990-93 15 7. Dabo Swinney Clemson 27-12 69.2 2012 and has a streak of 29 consecutive polls being Sammy Watkins, WR 2011,12 15 8. Jim Tatum Maryland & North Carolina 21-9-2 68.7 ranked, the third longest streak in school history. 10. Tony Horne, WR 1994-97 13 9. Frank Howard Clemson 66-30-2 68.4 This is the first time since the 2000 season and just Brian Wofford, WR 1996-99 13 10. Bo Rein N.C. State 15-8 65.2 the fourth time in history that Clemson was ranked Rod Gardner, WR 1997-00 13 Note: Includes ACC regular-season games and ACC in the top 25 of every poll during the season. Championship games. Clemson was last ranked in the top 10 Shuey Top Tackler Second Half of Season at the end of the 1990 season when the Tigers Clemson has made an improvement in terms of •Clemson had 10 consecutive games were ranked ninth in both final polls. It is the eighth defense over the last seven games, and it appears with at least 37 points this year, an all-time ACC season that Clemson has finished in the top 10 of the improvement coincides with increased playing record. The streak extended from a 52-27 win over at least one poll. Clemson also had a top 10 final time for linebacker Spencer Shuey. Shuey started Ball State to a 62-48 win over NC State. ranking in at least one poll in 1950, 1978, 1981, each of the last seven games, the first seven starts of •Clemson had a streak of 10 consecutive 1982, 1987, 1988 and 1990. his career, and had 69 tackles in those seven games. games with at least five touchdowns, a school Clemson finished with an 11-2 record, its Shuey had 15 tackles in his first start against Vir- record. most wins in a season since 1981 when the Tigers ginia Tech, then had 10 tackles in the win at Wake •Clemson had at least one rushing and were 12-0 and won the national championship. Forest and 12 tackles in the win at Duke. His 37 tack- one passing touchdown in every game in 2012. Three of Clemson’s 2013 opponents les over three games were the most by a Tiger over The streak actually extends 15 games over two finished in the top 10 in the final USA Today and AP a three-game span since 2006, when Chris Clemons years and 25 of the 27 games over the 2011 and polls. Georgia finished fourth, while South Carolina and Nick Watkins both did it over the three-game 2012 seasons. was seventh, and Florida State eighth in the final span when Clemson finished the regular season USA Today polls. with home games against Maryland, N.C. State, and Clemson in top 20 in Attendance for 32nd South Carolina. Straight Year Clemson Offense Much Improved under Morris For the season, Shuey had 93 tackles, second on Clemson finished 15th in the nation Clemson had one of the top offenses the team and the top total among returning players and first in the ACC in average home football in the nation in 2012. The Tigers were fourth in for 2013. attendance with 81,427 per game. The Tigers passing efficiency (163.1), third touchdown passes drew 569,988 for the seven home games. The final (40), sixth in scoring (41.0), ninth in total offense Swinney a Coach of Year Semifinalist national ranking and average home attendance (512.7), 10th in total touchdowns (68), and 13th in Head Coach Dabo Swinney was named one of 16 rank as the best for the Clemson program since passing yards per game (321.6). This strong offense semifinalists for national coach-of-the-year by the 2006 when the Tigers were 14th with average of led to the Tigers rankings tied for first nationally Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania. Swinney 81,506. Clemson has now finished in the top 20 in fourth down conversions (.778), first in red-zone was the only ACC coach on the list. in the nation in average home attendance 32 scoring percentage (.949) and fifth in third down Swinney guided Clemson to a 11-2 record, a #14 consecutive years. conversion percentage (.515). Clemson also led the ranking in the final BCS standings, and a #9 ranking nation in pass plays of 25 yards or more with 51. in the post bowl USA Today poll. The Tigers had a Boyd Posts Best Yards/Attempt Figure since These high rankings are all dramatic 7-1 record in the ACC, tying for the Atlantic Division 1947 rankings improvements over the 2010 season, or title. It is the third time in the last four years that One of the biggest indicators of how before offensive coordinator Chad Morris arrived Clemson has won the division. Clemson won seven outstanding a season Tajh Boyd had in 2012 was at Clemson. Clemson has gone from 111th in the nation to first in red-zone scoring percentage, from still won the game. Rodriguez Wins Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage 100th to first in pass plays of 25 yards or more, from •LSU had a 44-5 record under Les Miles when Award 86th to sixth in points per game, from 88th to ninth winning the turnover margin. LSU won the Clemson’s Daniel Rodriguez was the in total offense and from 102nd to sixth in yards per turnover margin against Clemson 2-1, but the winner of the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl-FWAA pass attempt. Tigers won the game 25-24. Courage Award, as selected by a panel of FWAA Below is a chart that tells the story of the •LSU had won 29 straight games when leading members. Rodriguez, a redshirt freshman receiver improvement: heading into the fourth quarter and was 101-8 from Stafford, Va., is playing for the Tigers after when leading entering the fourth period in the last being awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in Category 2010 2012 11 years. But, Clemson outscored LSU 12-0 in the Afghanistan. Figure Rank Figure Rank final period to win 25-24. Rodriguez, who was chosen from several Points/Game 24.0 86 41,0 6 •LSU was 50-3 under Les Miles, including 36-0 the deserving nominees in a vote by a committee of Touchdowns 39 74 68 10 last six years, when holding the opposition under FWAA members, was presented the award and Total Offense 334.6 88 512.7 9 100 yards rushing. Clemson had 99 against LSU, yet recognized in conjunction with the 2013 Discover Plays 865 56 1062 7 won the game. BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7. Plays 25+ 17 100 51 1 •LSU had a 29-10 record in games decided by seven Rodriguez, 24, was wounded Oct. 3, Yards/Play 5.03 90 6.21 24 points or less under Les Miles, including 12-3 over 2009, during a battle near Kamdesh, Afghanistan, 3rd Down % .393 66 .515 5 the last three years. But, Clemson won the game by while serving in the U.S. Army. Combat Outpost 4th Down % .500 62 .778 1 a point. It was LSU’s first loss by one point since a Keating, in a mountainous region near the Pakistan Red-zone Scoring .739 111 .949 1 31-30 loss at Arkansas in 2008. border, was ambushed by nearly 300 Taliban TD % Red-zone .544 94 .729 13 •LSU has the second longest streak of consecutive insurgents. Eight Americans were killed; 22 were weeks in the AP poll entering the Chick-fil-A Bowl injured. Rodriguez was shot and wounded in the Passing Yards 195.6 78 321.6 13 with 63 in a row. Only Alabama has a longer streak leg, neck and shoulder. Yds/Pass Att 6.2 102 8.8 6 with 79 straight. Once recovered and discharged from Pass Efficiency 115.35 99 163.1 4 •Clemson defeated the winningest program in the the military, Rodriguez kept a promise to his friend, Completion % .562 89 .671 10 SEC over the last 10 years when Dabo Swinney’s Pfc. Kevin Thompson, who was killed during the Touchdown Passes 17 71 40 3 team downed Les Miles LSU squad in the Chick-fil-A initial moments of the attack. Rodriguez had told Bowl. LSU was 107-24 over the last 10 years with Thompson if he made it home from Afghanistan, he Rushing Yards/G 139.0 79 191.1 36 a league best eight top 25 seasons and three SEC would find a way to play college football. Yards/Rush 3.96 78 4.44 55 titles the last 10 years. After enrolling at Germanna Community Rushing TDs 19 62 26 36 •Clemson trailed by a 24-13 score entering the College, he began training for football. He sent a fourth period of the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl, but video of himself catching passes, spliced with video Average Game for Morris Offense at Clemson came back to win 25-24. It was the first time he’d shot during combat, to four-year schools. (27 Games) Clemson won a bowl game that the Tigers Clemson coach Dabo Swinney offered Rodriguez a Category Totals Average trailed entering the fourth period since the 1959 spot on the team. “I was mesmerized by his video,” Points/Game 1003 37.15 Bluebonnet Bowl. Clemson trailed TCU, 7-3, Swinney told the New York Times. “I’m watching Total Touchdowns/Game 121/27 4.48 entering the fourth period of that game, but scored and thinking, ‘Holy cow, he’s amazing.’” Total Offense 12,836 475.4 20 straight points in the fourth to win 23-7. Like Swinney said Rodriguez is deserving of Total Plays 2,117 78.41 LSU, TCU was ranked seventh in the nation entering the Courage Award. “I am very happy for Daniel,” Yards/Play 12,836/2117 6.06 the game. he said. “This is a special award and it further Third Down 200/423 .473 •Clemson’s victory over seventh ranked (USA Today) acknowledges his accomplishments. His journey to LSU was the highest ranked SEC team (either poll) Clemson has been an inspiration to me, our team Rushing Yards/Game 4,703/27 174.2 an ACC team has defeated since the 2003 season and many people around the country. It is a story of Yards/Rush 4,703/1118 4.21 when Clemson defeated sixth ranked Tennessee in overcoming adversity and really brought home to Rushing TDs/Game 48/27 1.78 the Chick-fil-A Bowl, 27-14. everyone on our team the support we have in our •Clemson’s defense held LSU to eight three-and- military.” Completions 629/27 23.3 outs in 15 possessions, the most against LSU this Rodriguez enlisted in the Army after Attempts 999/27 37.0 year and the highest percentage of three-and-outs high school shortly after the unexpected death of Passing Yards 8,133/27 301.2 (53.3 percent) by an opposing defense. Clemson’s his father, also an Army veteran. He served from Touchdown Passes 73/27 2.70 defense also had six sacks, the most sacks against 2006-10, spending 18 months in Iraq and a year in TD/Int 73/26 2.81 LSU’s offense this year. Afghanistan. He is attending Clemson on the GI Bill. Pass Efficiency 150.25 *Clemson’s offense had 32 first downs and 36 The 5-8, 175-pounder played in every Completion % 629/999 .630 completions, the most against the LSU defense game this season, mostly on special teams. He in each category this year. DeAndre Hopkins 191 made four tackles and had three catches for 10 Clemson 25, LSU 24 receiving yards and 13 receptions were season yards. “You always dream of that second chance Inside the Numbers of a Landmark Clemson Victory highs against the LSU defense this year. to play football again,” Rodriguez said. “I’m in that •With the victory, Clemson became the first ACC •Clemson defeated two SEC teams this year, the position. I have that second opportunity that so team to defeat LSU since 1955. Maryland, ranked first time Clemson has done that since the 2003 many people have said, ‘I wish I could get one number-one in the nation at the time, defeated season when Clemson defeated South Carolina and more shot.’ Well, now it is my shot. I have that LSU that year at College Park on November 5, 1955 Tennessee. Over the last two years the ACC has opportunity.” by a 13-0 score. LSU had won 19 straight over four wins against the SEC and Clemson has three When Clemson celebrated Military ACC teams (in the league at the time of the game) of the four. Appreciation Day this season, Rodriguez led the entering the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl. •Clemson overcame an 11-point deficit entering team onto the field carrying the American flag. The •LSU was 9-1 in the Georgia Dome entering the the fourth quarter to win by one point, 25-24. It is school also honored pilots who supported Daniel’s Clemson game, including 5-0 in the Chick-fil-A the largest fourth quarter deficit overcome to gain unit during a battle in Afghanistan. Rodriguez was Bowl. victory since the 2006 Wake Forest game when able to greet them on the field. •LSU was 36-1 in non-conference games under Les Clemson trailed by 14 points (17-3) entering the Miles (coach since 2005) entering the game with final period, then won the game 27-17. Six Clemson Offensive Players Named First-Team Clemson. The only loss was a 19-17 loss to Penn •But, this was the first game in Clemson history in All-ACC State in the 2010 Capital One Bowl. Thirty of the which Clemson scored twice within the last three Clemson had six of the 11 All-ACC 36 LSU wins were by double digits. They had won minutes to win a game by seven points or less. The players on offense according to the All-ACC team 29 straight against teams ranked 12th in the AP poll closest occurrence was the 1980 Virginia game released by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media or worse (or unranked). when Clemson scored a touchdown and a field goal Association. The six Clemson players who made •Since the start of the 2009 season, LSU was 39-2 with less than four minutes left to win 27-24. first-team were quarterback Tajh Boyd, center when scoring 20 points or more. The only losses •Clemson never led during this game until the final Dalton Freeman, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, were to Mississippi (25-23 in 2009) and Arkansas buzzer. running back Andre Ellington, tight end Brandon (31-23 in 2010). Ford and offensive tackle Brandon Thomas. •LSU was 31-3 when a running back reached at least This is the first time in history Clemson 100 yards under Les Miles. Jeremy Hill gained 124 has had six all-conference players on the first-team yards in 12 carries against Clemson, but the Tigers offense, and the first time any team has done it since Florida State accomplished the feat in 1995. Catanzaro was also named to the Clemson Institutes Brian Dawkins Lifetime Kicker Chandler Catanzaro and safety Academic All-ACC team for the second straight Achievement Award Rashard hall were named to the second team, while year. Clemson’s starting kicker was second-team Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney Malliciah Goodman and Sammy Watkins were All-ACC on the gridiron as he made 18-19 field presented the first Brian Dawkins Clemson Lifetime named honorable mention. goals, including a 37-yarder on the last play of the Achievement Award to Brian Dawkins at the team’s game that beat LSU 25-24 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Football Banquet Jan 10. Blanks Named Second-Team Freshman All- Catanzaro majors in sociology. Dawkins recently retired from the NFL American Shatley and Timothy were two offensive after 16 years with the Philadelphia Eagles and Clemson defender Travis Blanks was line starters for the Tigers and it is the first time they the Denver Broncos. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl named a second-team Freshman All-American have been chosen to the Academic All-ACC team. selection and played 224 games overall. He was a by Scout.com and Fox Sports. The native of Shatley, a civil engineering major, was a starting three-time All-ACC selection at Clemson between Tallahassee, FL helped the Tigers to an 11-2 record guard and Timothy, who majors in PRTM, was a 1992-95 and was an AP All-American as a senior in and a #9 ranking in the final USA Today poll. starting tackle on a Clemson offense that set school 1995 when he led the ACC in interceptions. Blanks was eighth on the Clemson records for points scored and total offense. “I got the idea to present an award like team in tackles with 51, including 40 first hits. He this from last year’s experience with the Bobby had two tackles for loss from his safety/linebacker Clemson Signing Day Notes Dodd Award,” said Swinney, who won the Bobby position and has added six passes broken up. He *Clemson’s 2013 signee class was ranked in the top Dodd National Coach of the Year Award in 2011. started eight of the 13 games this year. The native 15 in the nation by Scout.com (12), ESPN.com (13), “The Dodd Award takes into account performance of Tallahassee, FL had eight tackles at Florida State 247 Sports (13), and Rivals.com (14). It was ranked on the field, but also qualities like leadership, for his season high. 20th by Sporting News community service and others. Blanks was one of three ACC players *Each of Dabo Swinney’s five recruiting classes have “Brian Dawkins epitomizes everything to make the Freshman All-America teams. Eddie been ranked in the top 20 by ESPN.com, including you strive to be on and off the field when it comes Johnson, a linebacker from Miami (FL), was named three consecutive top 13 rankings between 2011- to being a Clemson football player. He is the first team, while Blanks was joined on the second 13. His 2009 class was 19th, 2010 was 19th, eight in ultimate professional and has represented this team in the secondary by Deon Bush of Miami (FL). 2011, 10th in 2012 and 13th this year. university with distinction in every way. He has set *Ten schools have been ranked in the top 20 of the a standard of excellence in every way. Six Clemson Football Players Named Academic ESPN.com recruiting rankings five years in a row. “So I will be honored to present the first All-ACC The list includes Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Texas, Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award to Clemson center Dalton Freeman was Southern California, Florida, Georgia, Florida State, Brian Dawkins.” named to the All-ACC Academic team, for the Ohio State and Oklahoma. Dabo Swinney joins Les Swinney said that the award would be fourth consecutive year according to the team Miles (LSU), Nick Saban (Alabama), Mack Brown presented annually to a former Clemson player announced by Commissioner John Swofford. (Texas), Mark Richt (Georgia), and Bob Stoops who had been out of school for at least 10 years. A Freeman was joined on the 52-member squad (Oklahoma) as the only coaches in the nation to committee will make a selection each November. by Clemson teammates Jaron Brown, Chandler have five consecutive top 20 recruiting rankings The player will be honored at the banquet in Catanzaro, Brandon Ford, Tyler Shatley and Gifford according to ESPN.com. January and at a football game the following fall. Timothy. *Clemson is one of seven schools to have a top 13 Only Duke had more than the six signee class each of the last three years. The others selections from Clemson and it marked the sixth are Florida State (1,2,9), Alabama (2,1,1), Georgia straight year Clemson had at least five student- (6,5,10), Ohio State (7,6,3), Notre Dame (9,9,4) and athletes named to the team. The program now Florida (12,4,2). has 29 Academic All-ACC selections since Dabo *Clemson signed 10 different players who were Swinney took over as head coach in October of ranked among the top 150 players in the nation 2008, more than any other five-year period in by at least one service. Mackensie Alexander was Clemson history. ranked in the top 100 by every service, including Freeman, Brown and Ford were all a number-four ranking by ESPN.com. Other top seniors on Clemson’s 2012 team that finished with 150 players with their highest ranking include an 11-2 record and ninth in the final USA Today poll. Ben Boulware (#78 ESPN.com), Tyson Dye (#86 Catanzaro, Shatley and Timothy all return to the by Prepstar), Wayne Gallman (#118 by Sporting 2013 squad. News), Jayson Kearse (#100 by Scout.com), Dorian Five of Clemson’s 11 starters on an O’Daniel (#46 by Prepstar), Ebenezer Ogundeko offense that averaged 41 points per game, best in (#126 by ESPN.com), Scott Pagano (#104 by Rivals. the ACC, were named Academic All-ACC. com), Adrian Baker (#129 by Prepstar), and Tyrone For Freeman it was his fourth Crowder (#89 by Scout.com). consecutive year on the Academic All-ACC team, *ESPN.com has selected a top 150 since 2006. the first Clemson player in history to make the team During that time Clemson has signed 43 top 150 four years in a row. The Academic All-ACC team players over this eight-year period. That includes dates to the 1954 season. six players this year in the top 150. Mackensie Freeman was a first-team All-American Alexander was ranked fourth, the second highest according to the Football Coaches Association on ranking for a Clemson signee by ESPN.com. The the field and was a second-team Academic All- only player ranked higher was Da’Quan Bowers, American according to CoSIDA. He earned two who was ranked as the top player in the nation in undergraduate degrees at Clemson in sociology the 2008 signee class. and communication studies. Freeman is just the *Clemson has signed 43 top 150 players according 14th ACC football player to be a four-time selection. to ESPN.com. Twenty-two are defensive players and Brown was named for the third time to 21 are offensive players. the Academic All-ACC team. He and Freeman are *Clemson’s six top 150 ESPN.com players are tied just the 13th and 14th Clemson football players to for the third most by Tigers in the eight-year history make it at least three times. Brown, who graduated of ESPN.com’s rankings. The 2008 recruiting class with a degree in management, was also named to had 10, while the 2011 class had seven. The 2012 the CoSIDA Academic All-District team this year. He class also had six. Five of the ESPN.com 150 signed finished his career with 86 receptions for 1174 yards in 2008 are already on NFL rosters (Bowers, Jamie in 50 games. Harper, Brandon Thompson, Antoine McClain and Ford was named to the Academic All- Dwayne Allen). Xavier Brewer and Andre Ellington ACC team for the second time in his career. He will have a chance to join them in 2013. was also named first-team All-ACC on the field *Clemson had six top 150 players by ESPN.com this year as he had 40 receptions for 480 yards this year and four of the six are defensive players, and eight touchdowns. His touchdown total tied including each of the three highest rated players, a Clemson record for a tight end. Ford earned his Mackensie Alexander (4), Ben Boulware (78) and undergraduate degree in sociology this year. Dorian O’Daniel (112).