Devastating loss. Still a lot to gain left in this season but that was truly a gut punch. It does make me worried for a let down next week after losing the confidence and momentum.
Only getting 7 points off of 4 turnovers is really bad. One thing this team really lacks is the ability to put teams away early when they have the chance. It happened in the Purdue and UVA games, but we were able to pull it out. 2 turnovers in the second half leading to 0 points is something that we can't do and expect to win.
That Fuentes penalty will be one of those plays I remember for a long time, like the illegal man down field penalty. You have to know that would be called, especially at Clemson where they are going to do anything that benefits them. Can't even be mad at them for calling it because it was truly a dumb play, albeit pretty soft. How the refs can ignore Shrader getting hit after the pass and out of bound is baffling though. But, if you leave it in the refs hands in the ACC, you can be sure that it isn't going Cuse's way against any of those good ole boy programs. I'm interested to see how Fuentes bounces back because that really was a momentum changing play.
Incredible grab by Alford considering he had not received a target all game. We need a second receiver and I want it to be him, because he has the ability. He just needs to get all of the other things down because he has the playmaking ability. Cooper dropping that 3rd down hurts.
Wes Hoeh and Max Mang are not near good enough. We need a portal TE and/or FB because it absolutely is not either of them yet. Speaking of which, what in gods name was that 3rd down fake handoff to Hoeh? I couldn't believe it. Coaches know more than virtually all of the fans but sometimes I wish there was an average person on the headset that could ask What before it is called and just reasure them that it isn't that complicated sometimes.
The playcalling on offense in the secnd half was dreadful. Tucker receiving 5 carriers is awful. If he is hurt, then let Allen get some carries. Tucker can only be the distraction so much before Clemson just keys in on Shrader, which they did with great success in the second half. Needed to run it more with the RBs. There's only so many yard passes to Pena and Cooper that are going to work. The offense had plenty of chances to get a singular TD and they failed in the second half. The holds were brutal and drive killers. Shoutout again to Wes Hoeh here and for his false start. The oline played well enough to win it against the best front they will face all year. It's a shame it didn't happen.
The defense played well. Let up a lot of yards but punished Clemson for their mistakes. They gave us more than a chance to win. Jahad Carter balled out for much of the game. I think Marlowe Wax did not have his best game but he forced and recovered a fumble so you can't fault him much. Isiah Johnson played well at CB. That pass interference call was probably 50-50 (maybe). You'd like for them to let the play go but again, the refs will take whatever opportunity they can down there. Darton played great. Shoutout to Jobity getting his first sack.
All in all, upset that we lost the game but working to get myself excited for the next week. Might need a night or two. It can still be a special season but this one will sting for a while.
Go Cuse
