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Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley left TCU following a nationwide championship look to take over play calling duties at Clemson in 2023. This yr, he’ll have an opportunity to steer a second crew within the School Soccer Playoff with the Tigers set to tackle Texas.
He spoke on his offense’s outlook with the postseason contest looming. He’s attempting to be taught from previous errors with the Longhorns‘ vaunted protection trying to pounce.
By means of two seasons, Riley’s offense has been up and down. Final yr, the Tigers moved the ball persistently however shot themselves within the foot with turnovers. Clemson led the ACC in fumbles whereas QB Cade Klubnik threw eight interceptions in his 11 video games vs. P5 competitors.
This yr, they’ve reduce down on the giveaways. Sadly, they’ve discovered it tough to shut out video games. Clemson’s held at the least a seven-point lead coming into the fourth quarter in every of its final three P4 video games.
They’ve been outscored a mixed 40-10 in these remaining durations. It resulted in a single loss to South Carolina, who held the Tigers scoreless within the fourth quarter throughout a 17-14 win. It almost got here again to chew in opposition to SMU, who overcame a 17-point deficit within the remaining quarter-hour solely to lose on a final second area objective.
Garrett Riley attributed it to letting off the gasoline by way of play calling. He says he wasn’t as aggressive as he ought to’ve been. These feedback enraged Clemson followers. He may’ve been higher protecting them to himself.
Clemson OC Garrett Riley says that in hindsight he needs the Tigers “put their foot on the gasoline” somewhat extra within the second half of the South Carolina and SMU video games (two video games the place Clemson’s offense struggled to place the sport away within the fourth quarter)
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) December 17, 2024
The feedback part was full of criticisms of the coordinator, who entered the yr because the third-highest paid offensive play caller in school soccer with a wage of $1.75 million.
Riley doubtless meant to voice his statement in an try and let Tiger followers know that he wouldn’t make the identical errors within the School Soccer Playoff. It backfired miserably!
