Clemson by the numbers: Clelin Ferrell leads FBS in sacks

Ferrell has posted five sacks - including two multi-sack games back-to-back - to start his junior campaign.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Sep 16 12:16:13 GMT-04:00 2018

Clemson's ferocious defensive front shows in the stats through three games.

Anchored by the nation's leader in sacks, junior defensive end Clelin Ferrell (5), the Tigers rank fourth nationally in sacks per game (4) and also ranks in the top-15 in tackles for loss (14).

Overall, Clemson has posted the 10th-best total defensive effort (268 YPG), led by a top-20 rushing defense (17th) that's faced a pair of run-geared teams in the first three contests.

On the offensive side, the stats show a team racking up the yards (20th; 513 YPG) but not as efficient in scoring (41st, 38 PPG; 48th in red zone TD percentage - 71.4; 70th in red zone offense - 85.7). With a 7-of-12 third down-effort Saturday, Clemson moved up to 52nd nationally in third down offense (43.2 percent).

Of note individually, sophomore running back Travis Etienne is again among the nation's leaders in yards per carry (10th; 7.7).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Fourth down defense – T-1 (.000), sacks per game – 4 (4), total defense – 10 (268 YPG), kickoff returns – 12 (29.5), TFL per game – 14 (9) scoring defense – 16 (13.3 PPG), first downs defense – 17 (15 per game), rushing defense – 17 (89.3), total offense – 20 (513), fewest penalties per game – T-22 (5), passing efficiency – 24 (164.35 rating), punt returns – 25 (16.3).

Other key stats

Turnover margin – T-29 (0.67), red zone defense – 33 (71.4 percent), scoring offense – 41 (38), red zone TD percentage – 48 (71.4), third down offense – 52 (.432), red zone defense TD percentage – 57 (57.1), red zone offense – 70 (85.71), pass efficiency defense - 110 (152.10).

Top individual national ranks

Clelin Ferrell – Sacks 1 (1.67), tackles for loss 6 (2.2).

Travis Etienne – Rushing yards per carry 10 (7.7), rushing touchdowns 18 (4).

Amari Rodgers – Punt returns 17 (16.3).

Tee Higgins – Yards per reception 27 (21.1).

Trevor Lawrence – TD passes 41 (5).

(National and individual stats per NCAA and CFBStats.com)