Clemson by the numbers: Dominant Tigers defense shows in rankings

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Nov 11 10:31:07 GMT-04:00 2018

Clemson only bolstered its defensive rankings with a dominant performance at Boston College Saturday.

The Tigers moved back to the No. 1 spot in scoring defense (12.7) after not allowing an offensive score in the 27-7 win over the Eagles. Clemson is also in the top-10 defensively in total defense (2nd; 253.6), tackles for loss (2nd; 9.9 per game), sacks (3rd; 3.6), rushing defense (3rd; 251.7), fourth down defense (5th; .267), third down defense (6th; .270) and red zone touchdown percentage defense (10th; 47.8).

Brent Venables' group moved into the top-10 in the last category by not even giving up a red zone trip to BC. Clemson has allowed only 1.6 red zone opportunities per over the last five games, surrendering three touchdowns there. The last team Clemson shut out of red zone trips was last year versus South Carolina in a 34-10 road win.

On offense, Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson passing game improved to just outside the top-25 (27th) and the red zone offense is now up to 12th overall (.918), going 18-for-18 on scores in the last three games (15 for touchdowns).

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Scoring defense – 1 (12.7 PPG), total defense – 2 (253.6 YPG), TFL per game – 2 (9.9), sacks per game – 3 (3.6), rushing defense – 3 (251.7), TFL allowed - 3 (3.5 per game), scoring offense – 5 (45.7), fourth down defense - 5 (.267), third down defense - 6 (.270), total offense – 7 (538), red zone TD percentage – 9 (75.5), passing defense - 9 (171.1), red zone defense TD percentage – 10 (47.8), fewest penalties per game - 10 (4.5), rushing offense - 12 (251.7), red zone defense – 12 (.739), red zone offense – 12 (.918), kickoff returns – 14 (25.2), pass efficiency defense - 15 (108.12 rating), fewest penalty yards per game 17 (42.3), passing efficiency – 20 (155.74), defensive TDs - 22 (2), sacks allowed - 22 (1.30).

Other key stats

Passing offense - 27 (274.9), third down offense – 28 (.446), turnover margin – 58 (.10), punt returns – 69 (8.81).

Top individual national ranks

Travis Etienne – Rushing yards per carry 3 (8.47), rushing touchdowns 4 (15), total touchdowns 4 (16), rushing yards 13 (1,076), rushing yards per game 17 (107.6).

Justyn Ross – Yards per reception 10 (19.8).

Clelin Ferrell – Sacks 16 (0.85 per game), tackles for loss 29 (1.3).

Trevor Lawrence – Pass efficiency 18 (158.6), completion percentage 18 (.667), passing TDs 25 (19).

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