Miami vs Clemson: Statistics and Players to Know
Article photo of Miami wide receiver Jacolby George; credit to Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.
Looking at the offensive and defensive statistics for the Miami Hurricanes and Clemson Tigers, the Oct. 21 showdown inside of Hard Rock Stadium should be highly contested.
Both teams possess athleticism, skill and experience on both sides of the football, as well as proof that either squad can be dominant on a given day. Here’s a look at each team’s primary offensive and defensive statistics and NCAA rankings, followed by statistical notes for the Hurricanes and Tigers.
Miami Offense Versus Clemson Defense
(Denotes National Rank)
Canes Total Offense: 501.8 (7)
Tigers Total Defense: 261.8 (5)
Canes Scoring Offense: 37.7 (13)
Tigers Scoring Defense: 19.3 (28)
Canes Rushing Offense: 191 (28)
Tigers Rushing Defense: 86.3 (9)
Canes Passing Offense: 310.8 (14)
Tigers Passing Defense: 175.5 (14)
Canes Third Down Conversions: 46% (28)
Tigers Third Down Defense: 32.6% (23)
Canes Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 58.6% (38)
Tigers Defensive Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 50% (31)
Now, let’s flip the offenses and defenses around.
Clemson Offense Versus Miami Defense
Tigers Total Offense: 437.3 (37)
Canes Total Defense: 308.3 (18)
Tigers Scoring Offense: 32.2 (45)
Canes Scoring Defense: 19 (25)
Tigers Rushing Offense: 188.2 (31)
Canes Rushing Defense: 87.7 (10)
Tigers Passing Offense: 249.2 (51)
Canes Passing Defense: 220.7 (61)
Tigers Third Down Conversions: 46.4 (27)
Canes Third Down Defense: 36.9% (56)
Tigers Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 57.6 (88)
Canes Defensive Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 57.9% (63)
Statistical Notes
- The Tigers struggle to score touchdowns in the red zone. That could be a key to this game. The Hurricanes defense is giving up a similar percentage, so that’s an interesting battle. Whichever team steps up will hold a decisive advantage.
- Miami has scored at least 31 points in five of its six games. Clemson, meanwhile, has only allowed 31 points one time.
- Clemson has allowed 100 or more rushing yards during three of its six contests, while Miami has rushed for 240 or more yards three times.
- Clemson’s offense has two running backs – Will Shipley and Phil Mafah – that have combined for 791 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Miami defense has allowed only one rusher to be a dominant performer, and that was last week when North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton went for 191 yards and a touchdown. In every other game, the Hurricanes kept the opposing team’s rushing total below 100 yards.
- Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik has not thrown an interception since Sep. 9 versus Charleston Southern. Miami’s defense has intercepted two passes during three separate games, as well as zero interceptions in the other three games it played. Additionally, Klubnik will be facing arguably the best pass rushing unit he's going to see this season. Rueben Bain, Jr., Leonard Taylor III, Jahfari Harvey, and several other Hurricanes do a great job of getting to the quarterback.
- Clemson wide receiver Tyler Brown went off against Syracuse with 9 receptions for 153 yards. He’s a burner that can run by defensive backs. While not as tall as North Carolina’s Devontez Walker, he’s the type of player that could give the Miami secondary issues based on Walker’s tremendous deep-ball performance last Saturday.
- Speaking of wide receivers, Clemson will have to battle a balanced Miami wide receiver corps that has its three main pass catchers with a combined 99 receptions, 1,354 yards, and 12 touchdowns. If Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins is not healthy (a potential future NFL player with a knee injury) and ready to go, that could provide an edge to quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and the Hurricanes pass catchers. Any combination of Xavier Restrepo, and/or Colbie Young, and/or Jacolby George could have a great performance.
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