[fullmetal]

Ugh, and Clemson definitely had four "short field" TD drives: 1 play 34 yds, 3 plays 34 yds, 4 plays 35 yds, 2 plays 43 yds.  Those are what I think of as broken play TDs from that game.

Other Clemson possessions:

Three-and-outs: 3
Four-and-outs: 1

FG - 5 plays, 77 yds
FG - 12 plays, 58 yds
INT - 6 plays, 57 yds
TD - 8 plays, 54 yds

I'm not saying that Clemson wouldn't have scored if those short drive TDs were replaced by drives with "normal" starting field positions, but of the eight other Clemson possessions, the defense stoned Clemson for half of them, took the ball away once, and forced two field goals.

Having said that, it's the defense's job to not give up explosive, broken play touchdowns, so...the defense does have critical vulnerabilities.  Mental mistakes or miscues from the DC or defensive captain...let's work on that.  But they played hard, so I'm looking forward to the same tenacity against VT.

Oh, the original point.  If you're going to be giving up that many busted play touchdowns, take the points.  Of the three turnovers on downs, the two on our side of the field resulted in broken play TDs.  One turnover on downs happened at the CLEM10, and the defense forced a three-and-out.  The numbers should tell you that if you fail to convert a 4th down on your side of the field, it is disproportionally likely that the opponent will score a TD with an aggressive playcall and make your overall goal that much harder.

[fullmetal]

Ugh, and Clemson definitely had four "short field" TD drives: 1 play 34 yds, 3 plays 34 yds, 4 plays 35 yds, 2 plays 43 yds.  Those are what I think of as broken play TDs from that game.

Other Clemson possessions:

Three-and-outs: 3
Four-and-outs: 1

FG - 5 plays, 77 yds
FG - 12 plays, 58 yds
INT - 6 plays, 57 yds
TD - 8 plays, 54 yds

I'm not saying that Clemson wouldn't have scored if those short drive TDs were replaced by drives with "normal" starting field positions, but of the eight other Clemson possessions, the defense stoned Clemson for half of them, took the ball away once, and forced two field goals.

Having said that, it's the defense's job to not give up explosive, broken play touchdowns, so...the defense does have critical vulnerabilities.  Mental mistakes or miscues from the DC or defensive captain...let's work on that.  But they played hard, so I'm looking forward to the same tenacity against VT.

Oh, the original point.  If you're going to be giving up that many busted play touchdowns, take the points.  Of the three turnovers on downs, the two on our side of the field resulted in broken play TDs.  One turnover on downs happened at the CLEM10, and the defense forced a three-and-out.  The numbers should tell you that if you fail to convert a 4th down on your side of the field, it is disproportionally likely that the opponent will score a TD with an aggressive playcall and make your overall goal that much harder.