Clemson

So when you are talking about someone and then they suddenly appear, you say "Speak of the Urban!". Well, maybe not, but how about this week...We discuss the 30 year history of last second Seminole futility and Bam! it's over quicker than an ACC ref can pull a hankie or my wife unholstering the debit card at Starbucks. We ask our young DC to play some man in the flats on the backs & TE's and he obliges like a Saks salesgirl on commission.

I know that not all of you can make it to Doak every week, and I understand that 95 inch HD flatscreens and never taking your gas cap off can be intriguing, but being on site always provides some interesting material. Our reigning Publix Tailgate of the Week stepped it up a notch this week with deep fried buffalo shrimp, coconut shrimp, cajun fries and even battered oreos (yum). In a completely unrelated incident, a somewhat impaired 50+ lady was hurling in her daughters hat in our section. Mickey Andrews sat quietly alone about 15 people away from us and showed the emotion of a drunk mime watching with quiet bemusement as Mark Stoops bounced around the sideline like a Kangaroo on acid. However perhaps the most interesting development this week was Jimbo taking our lack of halftime inspiration so much to heart that his break speech went well into the third quarter. The halftime clock had gone to 00:00 and Clemson's entire kick team was on the field before our team came out of the locker room. Somehow, we found 10 guys to get on the field with Greg Reid as the kick was launched. During the return, Nole coaches and players were still running through the goal posts while the TPD in the end zone frantically waved them off the field to avoid a penalty. Apparently, the extra talk was as well received as a lawn chair sale at WalMart, because we actually scored on our first second half drive.

Speaking of offense, getting a 2011 preview of EJ behind the controls was pretty exciting. Jimbo is really going to have some fun next year. This kid has a terrific touch on his deep balls, and has an uncoachable and instinctual feel for the option. Having the confidence and experience of a 4-1 record as the starter will do wonders for this squad in the offseason. Having said all that, this offense had 4 first downs in the first 30 minutes, the leading rusher not named EJ this week had 18 yards, and you could tell he struggled with his presnap checks...but experience is the answer. Now, with miraculous Maryland and now Clemson 4th quarter comebacks in his rear view mirror, that jello pudding is filled with proof. I also want to throw garnet roses at Rodney Smith who showed all the stiffs like me not at practice why the coaches kept running him out there when all we saw was a young man who blocked like a 16 year old ballerina trying to push away cigarette smoke quickly when her parents came in the room. He was aggressive, confident and with that 6'6" height and smooth straight-ahead speed almost uncoverable. The growing pains with he and Willie this year should pay big dividends next season.

I will say that this was the most dominating defensive line I have ever seen play against a Trickett squad. Jimbo deserves a ton of credit for shifting to an option to get on the edges and away from these three NFL-ready boys in Orange. Terrific adjustment from the HC in the fourth quarter.

Yes, the Tigers had the ball longer than the Betty White time in the Marine Corps marathon, but this defense did a lot of things well. Xavier Rhodes and Mike Harris played lights out, and Rhodes second (almost) interception would have ended the game a half hour before Dustin turned the lights out in Upstate SC. Although our line was handled, the linebackers (all 6 of them) played very well. I think the injuries to our interior tackles and the lack of substitution with the ends hurt us late. Brandon Jenkins was so gassed in the 4th quarter that Rip Van Winkle woke him up for breakfast Sunday morning.

Finally, as good as we felt at 11:19 Saturday night - and we felt 7 year old Christmas Morning good - this game is still about college kids; and Dustin Hopkins deserved to channel that euphoria through the cannon attached to his right hip. The class he showed in defeat followed closely by an outpouring of support from his teammates deserved this finish. The ghosts of defeat that have haunted the North End Zone of Doak just got sucked into a Bill Murray-driven Garnet & Gold hearse and the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man was wearing orange when we blew him up...

Go Noles!