In last week’s win at Wake Forest, top-ranked Clemson got what they wanted out of the running game. Despite missing three guys, the Tigers rushed for 185 yards, while star running back Travis Etienne ran for 102 yards on 17 carries and scored on a one-yard touchdown.
The thing that stood out the most about the ground game was the fact Clemson had three players who were not available to play. Lyn-J Dixon (knee), Chez Mellusi (shoulder) and Michel Dukes.
After Etienne left the game in the third quarter with the Tigers holding a 34-point lead at the time, it left the running duties up to senior Darien Rencher and true freshmen Demarkcus Bowman and Kobe Pace.