Short Yardage Situations - Conversion Rate

Sep 10, 2012, 2:26 PM

Just looking at the data from our first two games, I wanted to see how Clemson's offense was performing on short yardage. I knew that we were playing better in these situations, and here's what the data says so far:

10 situations of 3rd or 4th down and 2 yards or less - 8 successful first downs (80%)

17 situations on any down where CU has 2 yards or less - 13 successful first downs or TDs (76%)

That has to illustrate some positive signs of performance on the Clemson offensive line, the skill players and the new Pistol offense overall. Yes, some of this was against Ball St, but remember some of the struggles we had last year against Troy and Wofford. Much better situation to be in...

Breakdown of the plays in the analysis:

Auburn -

3rd & 1 - 1 yd run for first down

1st & 2 - 2 yd TD run

2nd & 2 - Incomplete pass (next down)

3rd & 2 - Incomplete pass (ended in FG)

2nd & 1 - 22 yd Pass completion for first down

2nd & 2 - 3 yd run for first down

4th & 1 - 3 yd run for first down

2nd & 1 - 4 yd run for first down

3rd & 1 - 6 yd run for first down

Ball State -

2nd & 1 - Incomplete pass (next down)

3rd & 1 - 5 yd run for first down

3rd & 1 - 3 yd run for 1st down

1st & 2 - 2 yd TD run

3rd & 2 - 33 yd pass for 1st down

Extra point (like 4th & 2) - 2 yd 'TD' run

3 & 2 - No gain on run - punt (No Boyd at this point)

3rd & 2 - 11 yd run for first down

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Comparing the stats to last years first games against Troy (W 43-19) and Wofford (W 35-27).

8 situations of 3rd or 4th down and 2 yards or less - 2 successful first downs (25%)

12 situations on any down where CU has 2 yards or less - 5 successful first downs or TDs (42%)

compared to Auburn (W 26-19) and Ball St. (W 52-27):

10 situations of 3rd or 4th down and 2 yards or less - 8 successful first downs (80%)

17 situations on any down where CU has 2 yards or less - 13 successful first downs or TDs (76%)

Pretty remarkable turnaround on, yes, a small amount of data. To give some background to the data, the Tigers only converted 1 opportunity of short yardage out of 6 against Troy last season. That included a 2nd and goal from the 2, where the Tigers turned the ball over on downs after going for it on 4th and 1. Clemson also failed to convert against Wofford on 3rd and 2 and a 4th and 1 to turn the ball back over. Remember that sick feeling we had about of lack of toughness on the offense? Hopefully, this success will continue in 2 weeks when we'll need to convert some tough short yardage situations.

Short Yardage Situations - Conversion Rate

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