Playing time breakdown: Clemson football going into ACC action

Lawrence played a career-high in snaps and distributed the ball to nine different receivers.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Mon Sep 17 19:19:20 GMT-04:00 2018

Clemson mixing in its reserves has been a staple in recent seasons in games that it has a clear upper-hand in talent or just pulls away to a comfortable lead.

Against Georgia Southern, the vast majority of the Tigers' scholarship players saw action - and a handful of reserves saw more action than the starters for a variety of reasons. Noting that distribution by position group:

* With starter Kelly Bryant sidelined at the half, freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence played his most career snaps (41) and distributed the ball to nine different receivers in his 12 completions, averaging 16.1 yards per connection.

* The No. 2 (Adam Choice) and No. 3 (Tavien Feaster) backs on the depth chart shared an equal number of reps (21) but Feaster touched the ball 12 times for 50 yards with a touchdown and Choice saw seven carries for 49 yards with a touchdown and also a fumble.

* The biggest move in receiver snaps week-to-week came with freshman Justyn Ross, who played one snap in his first road game at Texas A&M and then posted his first career 100-yard effort (103) with a touchdown in three receptions over 23 plays Saturday.

* Garrett Williams got the start at tight end for the second time in three games and played 37 snaps without a reception, while other TEs made up for less playing time with atleast one catch in Milan Richard (2 for 26), Braden Galloway (1 for 20), Cannon Smith (1 for 17) and J.C. Chalk (1 for 6).

* Clemson's second and even third-string offensive linemen received their most work of the season - led by backup center Gage Cervenka (34), freshman Jackson Carman (26) and redshirt freshman guard Matt Bockhorst (20).

* With senior Chris Register back from injury, Brent Venables mixed in a season-high seven defensive ends. Xavier Thomas logged his first career sack and one more stop with a career-high 16 snaps.

* Second-team defensive tackles Nyles Pinckney (26) and Albert Huggins (23) led the way in snaps at DT, combining for five tackles (1 TFL - Pinckney) and a forced fumble/recovery (Pinckney).

* Sophomore SLB Isaiah Simmons led Clemson's defense in plays for a second-straight week (40) and tallied five stops (one for loss).

* Trayvon Mullen was sidelined due to injury midgame and that saw senior Mark Fields' snap count go up for a third-straight game (Furman - 19; Texas A&M - 28; Georgia Southern - 39), posting his first pass breakup this season. Ten different defensive backs saw the field and freshman cornerback Kyler McMichael played exclusively on special teams.

Here’s a full look at week three on the Clemson participation report:

Clemson snaps breakdown: Georgia Southern

(Players assigned positionally by place on the depth chart; the initial participation report is provided by Clemson and represents all non-special teams snaps; season totals in parentheses; this breakdown notes all depth chart contributors and select scholarship players)

Offense (33)

Quarterback (3): Trevor Lawrence 41 (85), Kelly Bryant 30** (105), Chase Brice 6 (17).

Running Back (4): Travis Etienne 25 (90), Adam Choice 21 (55), Tavien Feaster 21 (34), Lyn-J Dixon 9 (19).

Wide Receiver (9): Amari Rodgers 33 (113), Hunter Renfrow 38 (110), Tee Higgins 34 (115), Cornell Powell 24 (50), Justyn Ross 23 (41), Diondre Overton 20 (47), Trevion Thompson 17 (50), Derion Kendrick 17 (25), T.J. Chase 11 (25).

Tight end (5): Garrett Williams 37 (80), Milan Richard 23 (77), J.C. Chalk 10 (24), Braden Galloway 8 (18), Cannon Smith 5 (19).

Offensive Line (12): Tremayne Anchrum 56 (165), John Simpson 56 (165), Mitch Hyatt 52 (161), Sean Pollard 44 (115), Gage Cervenka 34 (57), Jackson Carman 26 (44), Matt Bockhorst 20 (38), Justin Falcinelli 38 (138), Zach Giella 18 (26), Chandler Reeves 14 (22), Cade Stewart 7** (64), Blake Vinson 6 (17).

Defense (30)

Defensive End (7): Clelin Ferrell 27 (129), Austin Bryant 26 (127), Xavier Thomas 16 (31), Justin Foster 13 (49), Logan Rudolph 9 (24), Chris Register 9 (9), K.J. Henry 6 (19).

Defensive Tackle (5): Nyles Pinckney 26 (60), Albert Huggins 23 (74), Dexter Lawrence 21 (101), Christian Wilkins 18 (106), Xavier Kelly 13 (31).

Linebacker (9): Isaiah Simmons 40 (145), Kendall Joseph 38 (139), Tre Lamar 35 (107), J.D. Davis 21 (74), Jalen Williams 10 (37), Shaq Smith 6 (33), Judah Davis 3 (14), Chad Smith 3 (14), Baylon Spector 3 (13).

DB (CB/S/NB - 9): A.J. Terrell 41 (137), K’Von Wallace 37 (133), Tanner Muse 35 (108), Mark Fields 39 (86), Trayvon Mullen 16** (120), Denzel Johnson 16 (74), Nolan Turner 14 (51), LeAnthony Williams 4 (22), Mario Goodrich 1 (15).

Did not play (non-true freshmen): DT Jordan Williams (11).

True freshmen participation (11): Xavier Thomas 3 games, Trevor Lawrence 3, Justyn Ross 3, Derion Kendrick 3, Kyler McMichael 3, B.T. Potter 3, Jackson Carman 2, Mario Goodrich 2, K.J. Henry 2, Lyn-J Dixon 2, Braden Galloway 2, Jordan McFadden DNP* (1). Darnell Jefferies DNP (0), Jake Venables DNP (0), Ben Batson DNP (0), Mike Jones Jr. DNP (0), Justin Mascoll DNP (0).

* Did not play.

** Missed significant time due to injury in game.