Clemson Tigers vs Troy Trojans Football Recap

Clemson 43, Troy 19

Saturday was what Clemson fans had eagerly waited for since February 2nd, 2011. 

The highly-touted 2011 recruiting class hit the field for the first time in Clemson’s 43-19 win over Troy, and didn’t disappoint – with true freshmen starting and finishing the victory in Clemson Memorial Stadium. 

On play two of the Tigers’ first drive – redshirt sophomore QB Tajh Boyd connected with true freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins for a 33-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Clemson just 26 seconds into the game (the fastest score for a Tigers’ freshmen in Clemson history).

And early in the fourth quarter with a 26-19 Tigers’ advantage, true freshman running back Mike Bellamy sealed it with his first-career-carry 75-yard touchdown run to effectively put the game out of reach, leading 33-19 in a raucous Death Valley with 11:05 to go. 

Of the 70 Tigers to take the field against Troy, 24 of them were freshmen – 12 redshirt and 12 first-year players. Bellamy and Watkins weren’t the only true freshmen to get in on the action in the stats, as safety Robert Smith had Clemson’s lone interception and linebacker Stephone Anthony the Tigers’ lone sack. 

With multiple players to credit in this one, Dabo Swinney put the praise for the Troy win on a former assistant. 

“The game ball has to go to Brad Scott, because he recruited Sammy Watkins, Mike Bellamy and Martavis Bryant (who had a 54-yard reception Saturday),” Swinney said. “That's what recruiting can do for you.” 

Scott’s recruiting connections in Florida, while he was Clemson’s offensive line coach, helped land five-star recruits Bellamy and Watkins before he moved into the administration in Clemson this February. Scott’s son, Jeff, is the recruiting coordinator and wide receiver coach for the Tigers. 

Swinney had nothing but praise for those freshmen postgame. 

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“These freshmen are so fast,” Swinney said. “We want to use them to wear people down. They’re a fun bunch to watch.”

All totaled, true freshmen accounted for 305 all-purpose yards on the game. 

It’s hard to imagine, but Tajh Boyd’s first start at quarterback was overshadowed by the freshmen impact – and quite a day he had. 

Boyd was 6-for-12 for 65 yards with a touchdown and interception at the half, and added two more incompletions on the first drive of the third quarter. The sophomore then proceeded to hit his next 13 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in a run of three-straight touchdown drives from the middle of the third quarter to the fourth. 

“In the first half, I didn’t get into a groove,” Boyd said. “I had a lot of nerves. We put thirty points on the board in the second half. It’s a learning experience.”

The new Clemson offense, under former Tulsa offensive coordinator Chad Morris, didn’t hit their goal of 80 plays per game, settling with 69. With 468 total yards, the Tigers had their most total offensive yards in an opener since 1983 against Western Carolina (494 yards). 

Clemson has one more tune-up game next week against FCS opponent Wofford before hosting the Auburn Tigers in week three.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Staff Writer