Building A Career: A NCAA Football Coaching Dynasty

[kblu54]

#2 Clemson outclasses Missouri
Clemson Football News

The 2nd-ranked Clemson Tigers built a 41-0 lead and held on for a 41-13 road victory over the host Missouri Tigers. Senior QB Jerry McLaughlin threw 4 TDs and the Clemson defense embarrassed and outscored the Missouri offense to collect their 3rd straight win.

It was a bittersweet passing game for McLaughlin, who set a new career-high for passing yards but matched his career-high for interceptions. McLaughlin threw for 398 yards and 4 TDs on 24-of-40 passing, but he was picked off 4 times. The senior QB threw 2 TDs each to senior WR Tim Johnson and senior TE Martin Haley, and also added 48 yards rushing.

Johnson and sophomore WR Kyle Carrington both went over 100 yards receiving, while Haley added 65. Junior RB Ray Smith paced the Clemson rushing attack with 95 yards on 30 carries.

The Clemson defense shut down the Missouri offense, holding them to only 61 total yards. The Tigers also recorded 9 sacks, picked off 3 passes and returned one for a TD.

Missouri's only scores came late in the 4th quarter off of a kickoff return and an interception return.

Clemson returns home next week for an important ACC battle. The 2nd-ranked Tigers will welcome the #18-ranked Boston College Eagles. Last season, Clemson dominated Boston College 49-6.

Box Score

MIZZ 0 : 0 : 0 : 13 - 13
CLEM 14 : 10 : 7 : 10 - 41

1st Quarter
CLEM --- T. Johnson 5 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)
CLEM --- T. Johnson 34 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)

2nd Quarter
CLEM --- Little 39 INT return (Branch kick)
CLEM --- Branch 27 FG

3rd Quarter
CLEM --- Haley 5 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)

4th Quarter
CLEM --- Branch 24 FG
CLEM --- Haley 30 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)
MIZZ --- Baker 93 kick return (Jones kick)
MIZZ --- Bradford 65 INT return (kick blocked)

Team Stats

1st Downs:
MIZZ --- 6 ... CLEM --- 27
Total Offense:
MIZZ --- 61 ... CLEM --- 572
Rushes-Yards:
MIZZ --- 27-(-12) ... CLEM --- 42-174
Passing (C-A-I):
MIZZ --- 6-13-3 ... CLEM --- 24-40-4
Passing Yards:
MIZZ --- 73 ... CLEM --- 398
Times Sacked:
MIZZ --- 9 ... CLEM --- 0
3rd Down Conversions:
MIZZ --- 1-10 ... CLEM --- 10-15
Turnovers:
MIZZ --- 3 ... CLEM --- 5

Individual Stats

MISSOURI

Brian Smith, QB --- 6 - 13 - 73 yds, 3 INT

Steve Baker, RB --- 10 att. - (-1) yds; 132 KR yds, TD

Joe Mackey, WR --- 3 rec. - 56 yds

Doug Lilly, CB --- 10 tkls, INT
Brian Colston, OLB --- 10 tkls (1 TFL)
Antwan Phillips, MLB --- 7 tkls (1 TFL)
Craig Manning, CB --- 7 tkls, FR
Matt Clark, DT --- 6 tkls (2 TFL)
Trey Bradford, SS --- 6 tkls (1 TFL), 2 INT, TD

CLEMSON

Jerry McLaughlin, QB --- 24 - 40 - 398 yds, 4 TD, 4 INT; 10 att. - 48 yds

Ray Smith, RB --- 30 att. - 95 yds
Derek Westerman, RB --- 2 att. - 31 yds

Tim Johnson, WR --- 6 rec. - 124 yds, 2 TD
Kyle Carrington, WR --- 5 rec. - 112 yds
Matt Ortiz, WR --- 4 rec. - 47 yds
Martin Haley, TE --- 4 rec. - 65 yds, 2 TD
Craig Terrell, WR --- 3 rec. - 38 yds

Matt Brown, DE --- 8 tkls (7 TFL), 5 sacks
Karl Little, CB --- 7 tkls, INT, TD
Joe Larkins, CB --- 5 tkls (1 TFL), 2 INT
Ryan Cody, DT --- 4 tkls (4 TFL), 1 sack, FR
Albert Speaks, DT --- 3 tkls (3 TFL), 2 sacks
Cornelius Thomas, CB --- 3 tkls, FF

[kblu54]

Top 25 Week 3 Results

#1 Arkansas 49, Vanderbilt 7
#2 Clemson 41, Missouri 13
#3 Penn State 35, Alabama 7
#4 Virginia Tech 51, Georgia Tech 10
#5 Ohio State 48, Ohio 3
#6 Wisconsin 62, Memphis 3
#7 Tennessee 42, Florida 23
#8 Texas 38, Toledo 17
#9 Oklahoma State 42, #10 Arizona 21
#11 Auburn 42, Mississippi State 3
#12 West Virginia 46, Western Michigan 6
#13 USC 34, TCU 27
#14 Iowa 38, Iowa State 19
#16 Oklahoma 35, Oregon 21
#17 California 35, UNLV 7
#18 Boston College 40, #21 Florida State 21
#19 Miami 31, Maryland 17
#20 Rutgers 20, Navy 13
#22 UAB 38, Illinois 27
Texas A&M 21, #23 Southern Mississippi 10
#24 BYU 33, Central Michigan 28
#25 Michigan 38, Notre Dame 21

New Top 25 Coaches Poll
Note: Previous Rank in ()

1 (1) Arkansas (34)
2 (2) Clemson (22)
3 (3) Penn State (3)
4 (4) Virginia Tech (1)
5 (5) Ohio State (1)
6 (7) Tennessee
7 (6) Wisconsin
8 (8) Texas
9 (9) Oklahoma State
10 (11) Auburn
11 (12) West Virginia
12 (13) USC
13 (14) Iowa
14 (15) UCLA
15 (16) Oklahoma
16 (17) California
17 (10) Arizona
18 (18) Boston College
19 (19) Miami
20 (20) Rutgers
21 (22) UAB
22 (24) BYU
23 (25) Michigan
24 (NR) Boise State
25 (21) Florida State

Heisman Watch

1) Jerry McLaughlin, QB, Clemson >>>
2) Ryan Hale, RB, Arkansas ^^^
3) Paul McCauley, WR, Virginia Tech ^^^
4) Lorenzo Bowen, WR, Boston College <<<
5) Ben Brown, QB, Iowa ^^^

National Players of the Week

Offense:
Jim Williams, RB, Wake Forest
21 att. - 194 yds, 5 TD; 2 rec. - 13 yds, TD

Defense:
Brian McGrady, OLB, Boston College
5 tkls, 2 INT, 2 TD

ACC Players of the Week

Offense:
Jim Williams, RB, Wake Forest
21 att. - 194 yds, 5 TD; 2 rec. - 13 yds, TD

Defense:
Brian McGrady, OLB, Boston College
5 tkls, 2 INT, 2 TD

ACC Standings (after Week 3)

Atlantic Division

1) Clemson --- 3-0 (1-0 ACC)
2) Boston College --- 3-0 (1-0)
3) Florida State --- 2-1 (1-1)
4) Wake Forest --- 2-1 (0-0)
5) N.C. State --- 2-1 (0-0)
6) Maryland --- 0-3 (0-2)

Coastal Division

1) Virginia Tech --- 3-0 (2-0 ACC)
2) Miami --- 3-0 (1-0)
3) North Carolina --- 2-1 (1-0)
4) Virginia --- 0-3 (0-1)
5) Duke --- 0-3 (0-1)
6) Georgia Tech --- 1-2 (0-2)

BYU Tracker

Won 33-28 over Central Michigan
Current Record: 2-1 (0-0 Mountain West)

FIU Tracker

Won 22-21 over Fresno State
Current Record: 2-0 (0-0 Sun Belt)

[rubisco43]

surprised to see McLaughlin still at #1 in heisman after the 4 picks he just threw.

[DerkontheOS]

Quote: Originally Posted by rubisco43

surprised to see McLaughlin still at #1 in heisman after the 4 picks he just threw.

Yea...He's a gun slinger!

[jayenomics]

hey, you be nice to Missouri, or I'll start beating up on Clemson!

[kblu54]

Quote: Originally Posted by rubisco43

surprised to see McLaughlin still at #1 in heisman after the 4 picks he just threw.

Maybe the NCAA voters realized they were all bullcrap like i did

Quote: Originally Posted by DerkontheOS

Yea...He's a gun slinger!

Yeah... the funny thing about my offense is the more passes I throw the more picks I throw... Back when I was at FIU and BYU i threw a ton of picks... my first year at BYU Ed Pino threw like 40 TDs passes and like 28 INTs or something... Oh well...

Quote: Originally Posted by jayenomics

hey, you be nice to Missouri, or I'll start beating up on Clemson!

Sorry man, can't help it... Trying to win a national title here lol

[kblu54]

This past Sunday, Clemson QB Jerry McLaughlin sat down with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit to discuss his decision to return, the Tigers' current quest for a national title, and his future as an NFL QB.

Kirk Herbstreit: Hey Jerry, thanks for sitting down with me today.

McLaughlin: No problem Kirk. Happy to be here.

Herbstreit: First things first. Why did you come back?

McLaughlin: Haha... well Kirk... I just felt like I had unfinished business here. I didn't feel like I had accomplished all I wanted. This senior class we have, I mean, we came to Clemson to win a national championship. We were the #1 class in the nation, meaning we were the best group of players. Meaning we should be the best team in the nation. Meaning we should win a national title. That's what I came back for.

Herbstreit: Most college players, especially those who are obviously headed to the NFL, leave early in fear of injury. A lot of people criticized you for coming back due to that fact. You have already missed half a season due to a broken collarbone. Are you afraid of jeopardizing your future?

McLaughlin: I don't feel like I'm jeopardizing it. I actually feel like I am making a stronger case. When I broke my collarbone as a sophomore, it was a fluke injury. I am stronger, faster, more mindful of my body and the game of college football itself.

Herbstreit: Speaking of the future, most draft experts and NFL scouts had you pegged for the #1 overall pick, yet you spurned millions of dollars to return to Clemson. Are you worried that your draft stock may fall a bit by returning?

McLaughlin: I don't understand how a player's draft stock can fall by returning to school. Will my draft stock fall if we win the national title? Will my draft stock fall if I win the Heisman? I still feel that I am one of the best QBs in the nation, and if the NFL decides all of sudden that I'm not? Whoever does draft me will be getting a very angry and hungry QB.

Herbstreit: Let's talk about the "Guarantee". That press conference you held will forever be associated with you. And of course, the success of this season will forever be associated with that statement. Do you regret making such a strong remark months before the season even began?

McLaughlin: No, not at all. I believed then and I believe now that we are the best team in the nation and we will win the BCS National title. People criticized me for being so secretive about my plans, and avoiding the media and everybody. I just needed some time for myself. To talk about my plans with my family. To decide what was best for me. I knew I had more to complete at Clemson.

Herbstreit: This season, you guys have gotten off to a 3-0 start, but it has not been a very dominant start. You easily beat Richmond, an FCS team. You barely beat Maryland, a conference foe you usually dominate. And you beat a tough Missouri team handily, but you threw 4 interceptions. Are you concerned?

McLaughlin: No, not at all. We're just off to a little bit of a sluggish start, that's all. I mean we do have a ton of starters returning but all the new guys need some time to get into mid-season form. We have 3 new starters on the offensive line, so obviously I've seen more pressure than last season. And don't get me wrong, Missouri is a lot better than their record shows. They will probably compete for or win the Big 12 North, so I'm not worried about throwing some picks against them.

Herbstreit: You were very careful with the ball last season. Over 70% completion percentage, only 11 picks until the bowl game. This season through only 3 games, you've thrown 6 picks and lost 2 fumbles. Do you feel a little rusty or are you feeling pressured to perform at a higher level?

McLaughlin: Just some early-season mistakes. I made a few bad reads, but really, all that matters to me is the final score. As long as we get the win every week, I don't care how many picks I throw. The individual achievements aren't that important to me anymore. I reached the top, I won the Heisman. What more is there to prove? I'm all about winning as a team.

Herbstreit: Speaking of winning the Heisman, your return is one of few. Only a select handful of players have returned for another season after winnin the Heisman Trophy. You, of course, being one of them. Do you feel that you can win it again, becoming only the 2nd player ever to do so?

McLaughlin: Winning the Heisman again would be great but it's not my ultimate goal. Winning the national title is my ultimate goal. If we win it all and I win the Heisman, great. If we win it all and I don't, whatever. There's only one trophy I'm worried about, and that's the crystal ball.

Herbstreit: Talk a little about Coach Borland. What is your opinion of him, and how do you think he's handled all the increased pressure and scrutiny?

McLaughlin: I love Coach Borland. When he was recruiting me, he knew I was a good athlete and that I wasn't a true QB coming out of high school. But he came to visit me one time and said "This offense was designed for someone like you". He showed me all the success and numbers his QBs had put up, like Crews and Will Dunn from BYU, and he explained how I could eclipse all of their numbers. I was just convinced then and there that Clemson was right for me. And from that point on, I've never been let down. Coach Borland really took the national title loss hard, like we all did. He never blamed anyone for it either. I still blame myself for that loss, that's kinda why I didn't want to talk to the media. But Coach Borland just stayed focused on what was next, what the next season was gonna bring. I couldn't leave him and my teammates without bringing them that championship.

Herbstreit: Thanks again Jerry, and good luck this season.

McLaughlin: Thanks, Kirk.

[kblu54]

Smith scores 5 TDs in #2 Clemson's dominating statement
Clemson Football News

It appears the early-season jitters are over.

Junior RB Ray Smith scored a career-high 5 rushing TDs to highlight #2 Clemson's eye-opening 66-7 destruction of #18 Boston College. The Tigers scored 35 points in the 2nd quarter to help build a 45-0 halftime lead and ran away with the blowout victory.

The Tigers, on their quest for their 1st national title, looked very impressive right from the start and embarrassed the Eagles for the 3rd straight year. In the past 3 games against Boston College, with both teams being ranked each time, Clemson has outscored them by an average of 54-9.

Smith scored on runs of 2, 71, 56, 1 and 8 yards to highlight another impressive showing by the Clemson offense. Smith totaled 202 yards, his 1st 200-yard output in 2 years, on only 21 carries in just over 2 quarters of work.

Senior QB Jerry McLaughlin also helped out with a very efficient pass attack, throwing for 211 yards and 2 TDs on 11-of-13 passing and no interceptions. McLaughlin also added 49 yards rushing and left the game with the entire 1st team offense early in the 3rd quarter with the score 52-0.

Backup RBs Derek Westerman, Fred Slater and Antonio Mosley combined for 148 yards in garbage time, with Westerman and Mosley each scoring TDs.

The Clemson defense held the Eagles to only 188 total yards and 7 first downs. The Tigers recorded 5 sacks and forced 7 turnovers, including 5 interceptions.

For Boston College, RB Wes Simmons was the only bright spot with 123 yards rushing and a TD.

Clemson stays at home to welcome Wake Forest next week. Last season against the Demon Deacons, the Tigers stopped a 2-point conversion to hold on for a tight 21-19 victory.

Box Score

BC 0 : 0 : 0 : 7 - 7
CLEM 10 : 35 : 14 : 7 - 66

1st Quarter
CLEM --- R. Smith 2 run (Branch kick)
CLEM --- Branch 24 FG

2nd Quarter
CLEM --- R. Smith 71 run (Branch kick)
CLEM --- Ortiz 24 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)
CLEM --- R. Smith 56 run (Branch kick)
CLEM --- R. Smith 8 run (Branch kick)
CLEM --- Haley 33 pass from McLaughlin (Branch kick)

3rd Quarter
CLEM --- R. Smith 1 run (Branch kick)
CLEM --- Westerman 13 run (Branch kick)

4th Quarter
BC --- Simmons 64 run (Barbato kick)
CLEM --- Mosley 1 run (Branch kick)

Team Stats

1st Downs:
BC --- 7 ... CLEM --- 23
Total Offense:
BC --- 188 ... CLEM --- 603
Rushes-Yards:
BC --- 17-89 ... CLEM --- 59-392
Passing (C-A-I):
BC --- 13-29-5 ... CLEM --- 11-13-0
Passing Yards:
BC --- 99 ... CLEM --- 211
Times Sacked:
BC --- 5 ... CLEM --- 2
3rd Down Conversions:
BC --- 1-8 ... CLEM --- 9-14
Turnovers:
BC --- 7 ... CLEM --- 0

Individual Stats

BOSTON COLLEGE

Neal Green, QB --- 13 - 28 - 99 yds, 4 INT

Wes Simmons, RB --- 10 att. - 123 yds, TD

Jeremy Stewart, TE --- 5 rec. - 38 yds
Justin Williams, WR --- 3 rec. - 27 yds
Lorenzo Bowen, WR --- 2 rec. - 30 yds

Brian McGrady, OLB --- 10 tkls (1 TFL)
Will Hall, MLB --- 9 tkls (1 TFL)
Matt Leak, DT --- 7 tkls (3 TFL), 1 sack
Nick Miller, CB --- 6 tkls
Scott Rogers, DT --- 6 tkls (4 TFL), 1 sack
Reggie Wood, DE --- 6 tkls (2 TFL)

CLEMSON

Jerry McLaughlin, QB --- 11 - 13 - 211 yds, 2 TD; 6 att. - 39 yds

Ray Smith, RB --- 21 att. - 202 yds, 5 TD
Fred Slater, RB --- 12 att. - 71 yds
Derek Westerman, RB --- 9 att. - 41 yds, TD
Antonio Mosley, RB --- 5 att. - 36 yds, TD

Matt Ortiz, WR --- 6 rec. - 107 yds, TD
Tim Johnson, WR --- 2 rec. - 38 yds
Martin Haley, TE --- 1 rec. - 33 yds, TD

Andrew Pettit, MLB --- 8 tkls (1 TFL), INT
Ken Clark, OLB --- 5 tkls (3 TFL), 2 sacks, FF
Karl Little, CB --- 4 tkls, 2 INT
Matt Brown, DE --- 4 tkls (3 TFL), 2 sacks, FF, FR
Albert Speaks, DT --- 3 tkls (2 TFL), 1 sack, FF, FR
Greg Hawthorne, MLB --- 3 tkls, INT