Halfbacks running low on chances
CLEMSON — Taken as an isolated incident, Clemson tailback James Davis understood why his role diminished against Virginia Tech.
After an interception return and two special teams touchdowns put the Tigers in an early hole, they abandoned the running game.
James Davis netted 3 yards on six carries, which would stand as his lowest career number in both categories if not for the 1-carry, 1-yard game against Georgia Tech two years ago in which he sat out because of a broken wrist.
Offensive coordinator Rob Spence entered the running backs meeting Tuesday to tell James Davis and counterpart C.J. Spiller he has to find new ways to get them the ball.
“He’s been saying that the whole year, you know, so, I mean ...” James Davis said, trailing off.
Those words will read harsher in print than the context James Davis meant, but they underscore the conflicting feelings that appear to have left Clemson’s star tailbacks — and James Davis in particular — befuddled about their place in the offense.
James Davis’ run on the opening play was nullified by a holding penalty that put the Tigers into a passing situation. On his next series, an offside penalty put the offense behind the chains again.
By the time he logged his first official carry with 1:37 left in the first quarter, Clemson was in its seventh offensive series and trailed 17-0.
Of the team’s 90 plays against Virginia Tech, James Davis had eight touches — three more than walk-on receiver Terrance Ashe.
That came on the heels of a 13-3 loss at Georgia Tech in which James Davis logged five carries in Clemson’s seven first-half series before suffering a shoulder stinger on the opening drive of the second half.
For James Davis, the two-game stretch has elicited a painful reminder of the Music City Bowl loss to Kentucky in which he and Spiller collected eight and five carries apiece, respectively — and were given the same pep talk and promises.
For the offense’s most potent and reliable playmaker, there is an inherent frustration in not being able to help the Tigers when they most need a spark.
“Every running back would get discouraged, but I’m a strong guy and want to do what will help my team,” James Davis said.
“We couldn’t get anything going. And I’m a guy who needs rhythm, getting the ball back-to-back, and I get stronger as the game goes on. If I’m not getting any rhythm, then it gets hard for me.”
The going may get easier next week against Central Michigan, which is ranked No. 89 nationally in rushing defense (178.8 yards allowed per game).
But one weak defense is no panacea for a struggling offensive line, as the Sept. 22 rout of North Carolina State proved.
Coach Tommy Bowden said he wishes the problem was that the Tigers are letting the running game get rusty — like the passing game last season — but that is not the case.
The degree to which the offensive line was out-muscled the past two weeks illustrates how quickly the Tigers have begun emphasizing their passing game in the first quarter.
Their 8 rushing yards against Virginia Tech — which included 30 yards lost in sacks — tied the fifth-lowest mark in program history. Clemson gained 3 yards against North Carolina in 1993, and the other four games occurred in the 1940s.
Making matters worse, minimal gains can be made in fixing the physicality issue this week because so many key members are dinged up. Four of the five starting lineman were limited Tuesday because of minor injuries.
“I know what the team is going through in terms of running the ball,” James Davis said. “We’re not having good success right now. Like coach has said, we do have four new offensive linemen, so that has to play some kind of role in it.
“Come Central Michigan, we’ve got to show we can run the ball some kind of way.”
See more at www.thestate.com
