Midseason Musings: Clemson prepares to take on Charleston Southern

While usually I would be bringing you a Q&A with a writer who covers our opponent, getting a Charleston Southern writer was a bit more challenging than planned. So, instead you’ll get some thoughts from me about what I hope to see this week as the Tigers host the Buccaneers on Military Appreciation Day. But first, make sure to check out our friends at Section 103. Section 103 has a great lineup of Clemson gear, along with an ever growing list of teams so you can find gear for the other fans in your life. As STS’s resident golf polo snob, I can say their polos are amazing quality, and will have you looking right on game day, at the golf course, or in the office. And as the weather starts to finally turn, check out their sweatshirt lineup for something to keep you warm on those chilly evenings in Death Valley. Plus they have hats, t-shirts, and more, and with men’s sizes, women’s sizes, and kids’ sizes, you can get your whole squad decked out and ready to take on game day. Use our code STS10 to get 10% off your first order at Section103.com.

Get Tait More Confidence.

I think we all can agree, Tait Reynolds is progressing as a quarterback and we are starting to see some pretty good things that make me feel optimistic about him leading this offense in the future. This week really should be an opportunity where he can make some tough throws and find the end zone. He threw for nearly 300 yards against Miami, but still has just one TD pass on the year. I’m hoping he gets the chance to throw for about two or three against Charleston Southern. I really hope this is a chance for him to work on his long ball, because we have three elite wide receivers in TJ Moore, Bryant Wesco, and Tyler Brown, plus a slew of younger guys who have potential. This would be a great way to get him comfortable using their talent as we head down that second half of the season.

Empty the Bench

One of the underrated parts of the peak Clemson teams from 2012-2020 was that there were a lot of blowouts, and thus a lot of opportunities to get young guys real, live reps in games. In 2018-2020 it wasn’t uncommon to see Clemson play over 90 players in multiple games, including games against ACC competition. Since then, those opportunities have not been there. While there is a lot to critique about Chad Morris’s decision to run a Wildcat play with Chris Denson on a crucial third and short against Miami, probably my biggest gripe is that you’re putting the ball in the hands of a young player who has played 3 snaps this season, and this was his first time taking a snap in a game all year. In years past, a game like the Georgia Southern game would’ve been an opportunity to get Denson some reps at QB in that package, but because of the nature of that game, Clemson was unable to do so. Clemson needs to use this opportunity against an overmatched opponent to work some young guys in and start building for the future. I’d love nothing more than to cruise to a big halftime lead and let Reynolds have the second half off and let Denson, Trent Pearman, and other backup QBs get their chance back there. If Chris Vizzina is healthy I want him getting snaps too, but that to me is more about knocking some rust off of him. We’ve seen flashes from the young wide receivers, so the more opportunities to get the ball in their hands the better. Clemson beat Charleston Southern 66-17 in 2023, and while I want to see something similar, I will be content with a less flashy score if it is the result of the second half being live practice and building depth.

Don’t Give the Buccaneers Their Moment

The other week I somehow got served a Facebook post of the Charleston Southern Alumni Association promoting this game with a post about how at one point in 2023 they lead 14-7. I’m not sure why I was served that given that I have zero connection to CSU and can probably count the number of CSU alumni I have met on one hand. However, don’t give them that again. I want this to be a domination from the opening kick until the fans are on the field singing the alma mater. The only posts their alumni association should have for this year are posts talking about how hospitable Clemson fans were to them during tailgating before our football team did unspeakable things to their football team.

Jay Haynes and Kourtney Kelly Breakout Games

For the first time since the 2024 ACC Championship game, running back Jay Haynes is healthy and for the first time since joining the Tigers this offseason, West Georgia Transfer Kourtney Kelly will be playing. I want both of these guys to stand out this weekend. Clemson has suffered injuries at both DT and RB, so getting these guys back and having them make an impact will be huge. Haynes had a touchdown in the 2023 game against CSU, so let’s see if we can get another one out of him.

Get Chris Johnson Jr. in Space

We saw a little bit of Clemson getting the ball to Chris Johnson Jr. in the flats against Miami, and I want more of it. The 4.2 forty and his moves can help him thrive out there. Like it or not, the screen game is a part of the Chad Morris offense, so let’s see if we can get our fastest player in the mix there.

No Injuries

The injury bug has not been kind to Clemson over the years, so getting out of this one healthy is key. This plays into what I talked about earlier: Get in there, score some touchdowns, and start pulling starters off the field. Let’s not leave anything to chance there.

Fans having FUN

I know. It’s a noon game, and it’s against an FCS opponent. But the weather looks to be great, it’s Military Appreciation Day, and for the first time all year this should be a game where you aren’t anxious and/or frustrated for three plus hours. We only get so many game days, so make the most of them. Get your purple gear on, get there early, enjoy your tailgate, yell and cheer until you’re hoarse, and then go enjoy the rest of the games. I know for students it might be tempting to just hang out at the bars or tailgates and watch this one, but y’all only get so many times to get to be in that student section. If you have a ticket, go and enjoy it! People gripe about nooners, but some of my favorite memories as a student were going to see us win early in the day and then going to celebrate at the fraternity tailgate after. The bars and all of that will still be there once the game ends.

While there’s a lot about Clemson football that needs to be fixed, at the end of the day, my focus right now is seeing how this team can have the best season possible. I’m excited for any opportunity to watch the boys play, and here’s hoping Saturday is a great one!