NCAA ranks: Tigers move to No. 1 in sacks, but efficiency takes hit

Clelin Ferrell moved into the top-25 nationally in sacks per game.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Oct 15 11:15:31 GMT-04:00 2017

Clemson’s efficiency on offense and defense over the season took a hit in week seven to drop out of the top-tier in a couple NCAA stats.

While a six-sack performance at Syracuse moved Clemson to No. 1, the Tigers fell out of the top-25 statistically in red zone offense (to 27th), pass efficiency defense (to 31st) and penalty yards per game (to 55th).

About midway through the ACC slate, Clemson paces the league in total defense (289.4 YPG) and red zone touchdown percentage (73.9 percent), also in the top-two in passing defense (181.6), rushing offense (219.6), rushing defense (107.9) and third down offense (.457).

Individually, starting defensive ends Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell are each in the top-25 in the nation in sacks per game (22nd), while Bryant is also in the top-10 in TFLs per game (10th, 1.6).

Freshman running back Travis Etienne moved up to seventh in yards per carry (8.75) and junior quarterback Kelly Bryant jumped to 11th in completion percentage (67.6) before his early exit.

Clemson top 25 national rankings

Sacks per game – 1 (4), scoring defense – 6 (13.6 PPG), team tackles for loss – 9 (8), fourth down offense – 10 (.778), total defense – 11 (289.4 YPG), rushing defense – 15 (107.9), first downs offense – 18 (159), passing defense – 19 (181.6), red zone TD percentage – 19 (73.9), red zone defense TD percentage – 20 (43.8), third down defense – 21 (.302), third down offense – 23 (.457), rushing offense – 24 (219.6).

Other key stats

Red zone defense – 27 (.750), pass efficiency defense – 31 (113.96 rating), total offense – 38 (449), scoring offense – 39 (35), red zone offense – 51 (.870), turnover margin – 59 (0.00).

Top individual national ranks

RB Travis Etienne – Yards per carry 7 (8.75).

DE Austin Bryant – Tackles for loss per game 10 (1.6), sacks per game 22 (0.79).

QB Kelly Bryant – Completion percentage 11 (67.6), rushing TDs 26 (7).

DE Clelin Ferrell – Sacks per game 22 (0.79).

PR Ray Ray McCloud – Punt return average 24 (10.1).

P Will Spiers – Punt yards average 28 (43.8)

ACC team stat rankings

Total offense: 6 (Leader: Louisville, 567.4)

Total defense: 1.

Passing offense: 8, 229.4 (Leader: Louisville, 358.9)

Passing defense: 2 (Leader: Virginia, 169.8)