Clemson Spring Game Dominated By Defense: Rapid Reactions 

The Tigers began the spring game with a number of questions on the offensive side.

There are still a few questions there and even though spring games are usually very vanilla as far as offenses go one thing is certain, there definitely aren’t many questions on the defensive side and that was proven today.

We only got the first half on television so that is what we’re talking about here today.

• DJ Uiagalelei started the game the way his entire year went in 2021. With two overthrown passes on his first series but was glad to see him get outside of the pocket more when things broke down.

• Both offenses started a lot slower than expected. Neither offense had a first down on their first 6 drives. The first one came on a 10 yard reception from Uiagalelei to Joseph Ngata.

• Xavier Thomas looked like a man on a mission to begin the game and that is what you want to see from an upperclassman in his final spring game.

• Andrew Makuba playing all over the field. Was excited to see the athletic safety playing some cornerback.

• Was really impressed by the play of LaVonta Bentley. Especially, on his coverage of recievers.

• Cade Klubnik showed he was not scared to tuck it and run if no one was open even though the quarterbacks were touched down.

• Loved the 26 yard touch pass that Uiagalelei had in the second quarter to Ngata. To that point in the game it was the longest play from scrimmage for both teams.

• The orange team’s best drive of the first half began with a beautiful touchdown pass from Uiagalelei to Ngata that was called back because he was sacked before he got the pass off. It later ended with a rushing touchdown by phil Mafah that gave them a 7-3 lead.

• If anyone questioned how good the defense will be they proved again how great they can be with nine sacks in the first half between the two teams.

• Myles Murphy was as dominant as expected with six tackles in the first half. Another great thing to see out of a upperclassman in what some would say is a game that doesn’t count.