"Finish the Job" Means Winning the Game

“Finish the Job”. This was Clemson’s slogan all year long, after last year’s strong start and horrid collapse. This was the slogan that followed them from the first game against FSU, to last night’s game against BC. I guess they’ll need the slogan again next year. This wasn’t like the other two losses by Clemson. The loss against Georgia Tech was because they went away from what worked for them, the run and wide receiver screens. The loss against Virginia Tech was just them being overmatched on both sides of the ball by a superior team. The BC game was all about lack of execution.

I would be the first to blame Tommy Bowden, but I think that’s the easy way out. I hate to put the blame on 18 to 22 year old kids, but that is where it belongs. Bowden and his staff put them in a position to win, and the team didn’t execute. Actually, BC let them off the hook, since the run and running back screens were working against the Clemson defense, and BC didn’t take advantage of it as much as they should have. I will say that the play calling in the goal to go situations for Clemson during the first drive of the second half are unforgivable. Everyone and their mother knew that as soon as Harper spread out, Davis was taking it, just like he did on the first TD. But after that, the offense couldn’t find a good rhythm, even after the defense kept finding a way to get Ryan and the BC offense off the field. My major gripe with the defense was that huge TD pass to Gunnell. How do you get that open? The final drive from Clemson was just horrid. First, you have Aaron Kelly letting the go ahead (and probably winning) TD hit him in the hands and he drops it. Then, the very next play, Grisham drops a pass that would have gotten them close to a first down (true, they got the first down, but every play counts). The last play was the problem. They were on the edge of field goal range, Harper should have felt the pressure, and should have gotten rid of the ball. I was physically ill when he took that sack. My remote control would have exploded against the wall if my girlfriend weren’t there. I was pissed, first at Bowden, and then just at the fact that my team, the one I was rooted for, didn’t finish a team they should have beaten. Then my girlfriend said something to me, the dreaded thing no sports fan wants to hear.

“There is always next year”. The lament of following a perennial loser. But if you look at it, all could be rosy for the Tigers next year. If they get Harper, Kelly, Grisham, Davis, and Spiller back next year, that could mean huge things for this team. The best quarterback, the best wide receiver, the best running back combo. This could do wonders. That team should roll in the Atlantic Division. Let Bowden coach that team. If it fails, I’ll be the first one showing him the door.