2011 Clemson Tigers football team
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Clemson Tigers football team represents Clemson University
in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. The Tigers will be led by head coach Dabo Swinney
in his third full year and fourth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They will play their home games at Memorial Stadium
, also known as "Death Valley". They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
.
Clemson finished the previous season 6-7, losing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl
to South Florida
. They began the 2011 season unranked, but after a three-game winning streak against ranked opponents in late September, rose to #8 in the AP
and Coaches Poll
. However, after losing 3 of their final 4 regular-season contests (with two of the losses to unranked opponents), they fell back to #21 in these polls.
from the Sun Belt Conference
. The Tigers offense had a shaky first half adapting to offensive coordinator Chad Morris's faster new spread set. They were 0-for-8 on third down conversions and had only four first downs. Sophomore quarterback Tajh Boyd
had several bad throws and near interceptions as the team were booed off the field at half time.
Down 16–13 with 6:56 left in the third quarter, Clemson finally converted their first third down, tight end Dwayne Allen
with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Boyd to put the Tigers ahead. On the next drive, Boyd completed all of his passes including a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Brown. The scoring run continued in the fourth quarter, ending in a 43–10 rout.
Boyd finished the game 20-for-30 for 364 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as Clemson's starting quarterback. Sammy Watkins had seven catches for 81 yards while Andre Ellington
rushed 18 times for 89 yards. Freshmen accounted for 266 of Clemson's 468 yards.
, their first FCS opponent since 2001. The inexperienced Tigers defense struggled to contain Wofford's triple-option offense throughout the game. The Terriers led 21–13 with 4:03 remaining in the second quarter, but Tajh Boyd led a six-play, 72-yard drive and a two-point conversion to tie the game before half time.
Wofford's last lead in the game came in the opening series of the second half with a field goal. Clemson scored a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters before stopping Wofford on fourth-and-2 with 3:30 remaining in the game to hold on for a 35–27 victory.
Boyd was 18-for-29 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Ellington had 22 carries for 165 yards. His 74-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career.
#21 Auburn
in week three. Auburn took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter before Tajh Boyd began finding his passing rhythm. Boyd completed 30 of 42 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns. The game was tied 21–21 at half time, but Clemson's defense restricted Auburn to a field goal in the second half while Boyd threw two touchdown passes to earn a 38–24 win, ending a 17-game winning streak for Auburn.
Clemson's offense totaled 624 yards, its record against an SEC
opponent. Fans swarmed the field at the end of the game. Coach Dabo Swinney remarked, "I couldn't think of a better place to end the streak than Death Valley, South Carolina, baby."
in their fourth straight home game. FSU were without injured starting quarterback E. J. Manuel. Clemson opened up a 21–10 lead by halftime, and were in control for the rest of the game.
Tajh Boyd was 23-for-37 for 344 yards and three touchdowns and had a rushing touchdown. Freshman receiver Sammy Watkins had eight catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns while Andre Ellington rushed for 72 yards.
in a 23-3 victory against the No. 11 Hokies. The Clemson defense led by Andre Branch held the Hokies to 258 yards and no touchdowns. Branch had three sacks and was involved in 11 tackles. Tajh Boyd threw one touchdown to Dwayne Allen and one interception while Andre Ellington and Mike Bellamy both recorded a rushing touchdown a piece. This win marked the first time any ACC team has ever beaten three top 25 AP opponents in a row. It was also the second time Virginia Tech has not scored a touchdown in Lane Stadium under Frank Beamer and was the first time since 1995.
(312 Yards).
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, began on Thursday, September 1, 2011...
. The Tigers will be led by head coach Dabo Swinney
Dabo Swinney
William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.-Playing career:...
in his third full year and fourth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They will play their home games at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, popularly known as Death Valley, is home to the Clemson University Tigers, a NCAA Division I-A football team, located in Clemson, South Carolina...
, also known as "Death Valley". They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
.
Clemson finished the previous season 6-7, losing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl
2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl was the ninth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game started at 12:00 PM US EST on Friday, December 31, 2010 and featured the South Florida Bulls of the Big East Conference against...
to South Florida
South Florida Bulls football
The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus...
. They began the 2011 season unranked, but after a three-game winning streak against ranked opponents in late September, rose to #8 in the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
. However, after losing 3 of their final 4 regular-season contests (with two of the losses to unranked opponents), they fell back to #21 in these polls.
Schedule
Depth Chart
Troy
Clemson opened the season against Troy2011 Troy Trojans football team
The 2011 Troy Trojans football team represents Troy University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Trojans will be led by 23rd year head coach Larry Blakeney and will play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. They are members of the Sun Belt Conference.-Schedule:...
from the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
. The Tigers offense had a shaky first half adapting to offensive coordinator Chad Morris's faster new spread set. They were 0-for-8 on third down conversions and had only four first downs. Sophomore quarterback Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd is an American football quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. He took over as the Tigers starting quarterback in 2011.-Early years:...
had several bad throws and near interceptions as the team were booed off the field at half time.
Down 16–13 with 6:56 left in the third quarter, Clemson finally converted their first third down, tight end Dwayne Allen
Dwayne Allen
Dwayne Allen is an American football tight end for the Clemson Tigers. He is considered one of the top tight end prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft or 2013 NFL Draft.-Early years:...
with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Boyd to put the Tigers ahead. On the next drive, Boyd completed all of his passes including a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Brown. The scoring run continued in the fourth quarter, ending in a 43–10 rout.
Boyd finished the game 20-for-30 for 364 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as Clemson's starting quarterback. Sammy Watkins had seven catches for 81 yards while Andre Ellington
Andre Ellington
Andre Ellington is an American football running back. He is currently in his junior year playing for the Clemson Tigers.-High school career:...
rushed 18 times for 89 yards. Freshmen accounted for 266 of Clemson's 468 yards.
Wofford
In week two, Clemson faced Wofford2011 Wofford Terriers football team
The 2011 Wofford Terriers team represents Wofford College in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Terriers are led by 24th year head coach Mike Ayers and play their home games at Gibbs Stadium. They are a member of the Southern Conference....
, their first FCS opponent since 2001. The inexperienced Tigers defense struggled to contain Wofford's triple-option offense throughout the game. The Terriers led 21–13 with 4:03 remaining in the second quarter, but Tajh Boyd led a six-play, 72-yard drive and a two-point conversion to tie the game before half time.
Wofford's last lead in the game came in the opening series of the second half with a field goal. Clemson scored a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters before stopping Wofford on fourth-and-2 with 3:30 remaining in the game to hold on for a 35–27 victory.
Boyd was 18-for-29 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Ellington had 22 carries for 165 yards. His 74-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career.
Auburn
Clemson faced defending national champions2011 BCS National Championship Game
The 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game was the final college football game to determine the national champion of the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision season. The finale of the 2010-2011 Bowl Championship Series was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the host...
#21 Auburn
2011 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2011 Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in the college football season of 2011–2012. The team is coached by Gene Chizik, who is entering his third season with Auburn. The Tigers play its home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, and competes in the Western...
in week three. Auburn took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter before Tajh Boyd began finding his passing rhythm. Boyd completed 30 of 42 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns. The game was tied 21–21 at half time, but Clemson's defense restricted Auburn to a field goal in the second half while Boyd threw two touchdown passes to earn a 38–24 win, ending a 17-game winning streak for Auburn.
Clemson's offense totaled 624 yards, its record against an SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
opponent. Fans swarmed the field at the end of the game. Coach Dabo Swinney remarked, "I couldn't think of a better place to end the streak than Death Valley, South Carolina, baby."
Florida State
Following their victory over Auburn, Clemson entered week four ranked #21. They faced Atlantic Division champions Florida State2011 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2011 Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Seminoles are led by 2nd year head coach Jimbo Fisher and play their home games at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium...
in their fourth straight home game. FSU were without injured starting quarterback E. J. Manuel. Clemson opened up a 21–10 lead by halftime, and were in control for the rest of the game.
Tajh Boyd was 23-for-37 for 344 yards and three touchdowns and had a rushing touchdown. Freshman receiver Sammy Watkins had eight catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns while Andre Ellington rushed for 72 yards.
Virginia Tech
For Clemson's first road game the Tigers traveled to Blacksburg for a matchup with the No. 11 Virginia Tech Hokies. The Tigers' defense turned in its best effort of the seasonin a 23-3 victory against the No. 11 Hokies. The Clemson defense led by Andre Branch held the Hokies to 258 yards and no touchdowns. Branch had three sacks and was involved in 11 tackles. Tajh Boyd threw one touchdown to Dwayne Allen and one interception while Andre Ellington and Mike Bellamy both recorded a rushing touchdown a piece. This win marked the first time any ACC team has ever beaten three top 25 AP opponents in a row. It was also the second time Virginia Tech has not scored a touchdown in Lane Stadium under Frank Beamer and was the first time since 1995.
Boston College
Clemson's fifth home game of the season against Boston College. Clemson controlled the eagles for the majority of the game. Boyd scored 2 touchdowns (1 Passing, 1 Rushing) before being replaced by Cole Stoudt after suffering a hip injury. Andre Ellington (Rushing) and Jaron Brown (Receiving) each scored a touchdown, Sammy Watkins recorded 152 receiving yards, while Chandler Catanzaro hit a career high 5 field goals (38, 42, 28, 20, 47 yards). This win marked Clemson's best start since 2000.Maryland
Tajh Boyd threw four touchdown passes, Andre Ellington rushed for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers, freshman Sammy Watkins scored three TD's (Two passing, One kick-off return) as No. 8 Clemson rallied from an 18-point deficit against Maryland to remain unbeaten with a 56-45 victory. The defense, however, yielded 468 yards and had no answer for sophomore quarterback C.J. Brown, who ran for 162 yards and a touchdown and threw three scoring passes in his first college start. The 18-point deficit was the second largest in Clemson University history. Sammy Watkins also broke the school record for most all-purpose yards in a game (345 Yards) held previously by Clemson great C.J. SpillerC. J. Spiller
Clifford "C.J." Spiller Jr. is an American Football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was an All-American at Clemson University and was drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft...
(312 Yards).