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Syracuse Football: Breaking Down Defensive Play-Calling vs. Clemson

When you take a look back at Syracuse's defensive performance against Clemson Saturday, you'll see it pretty much had everything.

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The numbers say the Syracuse Orange defense got torched on Saturday. The unit gave up 570 yards for the third-consecutive game. They gave up 6.8 yards per play - which is sadly an improvement over the last two weeks, which both topped 7 per play. They gave up 37 points, making it the sixth time this season the Orange have spotted their opponents 30+ points.

The numbers also say the first quarter was a disaster, giving up three touchdowns and 200 yards of offense.

But then you look a little deeper, and you see a team that held the No. 1 team in the nation to 16 points over the final 45 minutes. You see a team that forced three turnovers and another three 3-and-outs - two of those turnovers coming in that disastrous first period.

You see a defense that basically did its job after recovering from the two early scores in the first, creating several opportunities for the offense to take advantage.

Clemson burned the Orange a couple of times with deep passes, but the Tigers were content to methodically chip away most of the day. The run game was effective, racking up 5.6 yards per carry, but when Syracuse took that away, Clemson simply shifted to WR screens, completing 16-for-16 for 102 yards (6.4 per attempt).

I wouldn't really criticize guys getting beat by Clemson receivers or running backs, since that's going to happen with the giant gap in talent between these teams. But I do have to question why the staff seemingly refused to adjust to the screens. Of the 16 screen passes, only four all day went for less than a five yard gain. This was a scheme issue, as Clemson frequently put two receivers wide - one to block and one to catch - and SU continued to play base defense, forcing a linebacker to race out to make a play on the receiver. As long as the Tigers executed on the block between the extra receiver and the cornerback, they were basically guaranteed at least five yards.

First Quarter

DRIVE 1
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
14:56 1st and 10 CU 25 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Zone Blitz (rush 4), LDE in coverage Pass Middle 64 yard gain Hudson in 1:1 coverage, Makes Tackle
14:35 1st and 10 SU 11 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 11 yard TD 4 missed tackles on run
DRIVE 2
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
14:24 1st and 10 SU 23 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A PA WR Screen Pass Right 2 yard loss Hudson Tackle
13:56 2nd and 12 SU 25 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Left Incomplete Overthrew receiver
3rd and 12 SU 25 Offsides 5 yard penalty on Thompson
13:48 3rd and 7 SU 20 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB ROLB and RCB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Left 11 yard gain Hudson gave 10 yard cushion, Whigham Tackle
13:28 1st and goal SU 9 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Middle 6 yard gain Franklin Tackle
13:08 2nd and goal SU 3 1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 3 yard TD QB keep on zone read
DRIVE 3
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
11:33 1st and 10 CU 25 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 2 yard gain, fumble Thompson forced fumble, and fumble recovery
DRIVE 4
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
11:17 1st and 10 CU 20 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Right 9 yard gain
10:49 2nd and 1 CU 29 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Left Incomplete Hudson pass breakup in good coverage
10:44 3rd and 1 CU 29 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Middle 4 yard gain Taylor Tackle
10:27 1st and 10 CU 33 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A PA Pass Left 10 yard gain, fumble Cordy forced fumble, recovered by Hodge
DRIVE 5
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
7:38 1st and 10 CU 25 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 2 yard gain Franklin Tackle
7:13 2nd and 8 CU 27 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A PA WR Screen Pass Left 5 yard gain Thomas Tackle
3rd and 3 CU 32 False Start 5 yard penalty
3rd and 8 CU 27 Delay of Game 5 yard penalty
5:51 3rd and 13 CU 22 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB N/A Pass Right Incomplete Thompson chased QB out of pocket, pass underthrown
DRIVE 6
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
3:28 1st and 10 CU 25 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) PA Pass Right 9 yard gain Dowels Tackle
3:09 2nd and 1 CU 34 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 4 yard gain Vigille Tackle
2:47 1st and 10 CU 38 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Right 17 yard gain Dowels, Hodge Tackle, Dowels carried for 8 extra yards
2:29 1st and 10 SU 45 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Left 9 yard gain Hudson Tackle
2:18 2nd and 1 SU 36 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Right 5 yard gain Hudson Tackle
1:58 1st and 10 SU 31 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LCB Blitz (rush 5) Run Middle 2 yard gain Dowels Tackle on blitz
1:26 2nd and 8 SU 29 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Zone Blitz (rush 4), LDE in coverage WR Screen Pass Left 13 yard gain Cordy Tackle
1:02 1st and 10 SU 16 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Left 4 yard gain Raymon Tackle
0:35 2nd and 6 SU 12 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A PA Pass Left 8 yard gain Hodge Tackle
0:10 1st and goal SU 4 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB and ROLB Blitz (rush 6) Pass Left 4 yard TD Dowels in 1:1 coverage beat on back shoulder throw

Clemson Play Calls: 9 runs, 16 passes

Defensive personnel: 23 base defense, 2 subpackages

Blitzes: 11/25 (44.4%)

What do you say about a quarter like this? Do you focus on the two huge turnovers? Do you focus on three seemingly-easy touchdown drives? When you spread it all out, you have three great drives by the defense - two fumbles, and a three and out. You also have the Clemson offense moving the ball at will - 200 yards gained on 25 plays (8 yards per play). This was boom/bust at it's best and worst.

Second Quarter

DRIVE 7
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
13:38 1st and 10 CU 30 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Right 24 yard gain Scissum Tackle
13:25 1st and 10 SU 46 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A WR Screen Pass Right 6 yard gain
13:02 2nd and 4 SU 40 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Right 40 yard TD Perfect pass beat Dowels in 1:1 coverage deep
DRIVE 8
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
9:14 1st and 10 CU 15 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB and MLB Blitz (rush 6) WR Screen Pass Left No gain Thomas Tackle
8:45 2nd and 10 CU 15 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB RCB Blitz (rush 5) Designed pass, run Middle 2 yard gain Blitz by Whigham chased out of pocket, Samuels Tackle
3rd and 8 CU 17 Holding 9 yard penalty
7:47 3rd and 17 CU 8 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB N/A Designed pass, run Left 16 yard gain Franklin Tackle
DRIVE 9
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
3:14 1st and 10 CU 27 5 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Left 12 yard gain Whigham Tackle
2:54 1st and 10 CU 39 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB MLB Blitz (rush 4) Run Middle 2 yard gain Thompson Tackle
2:27 2nd and 8 CU 41 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB LOLB and MLB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Left 7 yard gain Hudson Tackle
1:58 3rd and 1 CU 48 1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB and ROLB Blitz (rush 6) Run Middle 1 yard gain Simmons Tackle
1:38 1st and 10 CU 49 5 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB MLB Blitz (rush 4) Pass Left Incomplete Pass high, Whigham in good coverage
1:33 2nd and 10 CU 49 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB LOLB and LCB Zone Blitz (Rush 4), RDE in coverage Pass Right 12 yard gain Whitner Tackle
1:16 1st and 10 SU 39 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB LOLB and MLB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Middle 16 yard gain Decent pressure, but Watson made great pass
0:59 1st and 10 SU 23 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB N/A Designed pass, run Middle 2 yard gain Charles Tackle
0:52 2nd and 8 SU 21 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 2 LB, 5 DB N/A Pass Right Incomplete Good coverage forced high pass
0:46 3rd and 8 SU 21 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB LOLB, MLB and ROLB Blitz (rush 6) Pass Right Incomplete No pressure on 6 man rush but Whigham in good coverage in end zone

Clemson Play Calls: 3 runs, 13 passes

Defensive personnel: 7 base defense, 9 subpackages

Blitzes: 11/16 (68.8%)

A decent quarter here for the Orange defense. Sure, they gave up a 40 yard bomb in single coverage, but you have to give credit to both the quarterback and the receiver for amazing execution on that play. Clemson picked up the pace at the end of the first and throughout the second quarter - note the time elapsed after non-incomplete plays - but because SU typically runs only a few different defensive formations, it didn't seem to bother them too much. Despite giving up some pass plays, the secondary stood tall on back to back plays to end the final possession with good coverage even though the pass rush failed to get to Watson.

Third Quarter

DRIVE 10
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
11:53 1st and 10 CU 39 5 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Left 5 yard gain Taylor Tackle
11:27 2nd and 5 CU 44 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Middle 2 yard gain Hodge Tackle
10:53 3rd and 3 CU 46 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 2 LB, 5 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Right 16 yard gain Great blocking on screen
10:32 1st and 10 SU 38 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 2 yard gain Raymon Tackle
10:08 2nd and 8 SU 36 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Middle Incomplete Thompson pass deflected
10:03 3rd and 8 SU 36 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB ROLB and LOLB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Left Incomplete Hodge pass tipped on blitz, fell short
DRIVE 11
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
6:44 1st and 10 CU 14 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Right 1 yard gain Hudson Tackle
6:07 2nd and 9 CU 15 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 2 yard gain Dowels Tackle
5:35 3rd and 7 CU 17 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB ROLB and MLB Blitz (rush 5) Designed pass, run Left 4 yard gain Two 15 yard penalties (hands to face, unsportsmanlike conduct on Shafer)
5:19 1st and 10 SU 49 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) PA WR Screen Pass Right 2 yard gain Hudson Tackle
4:55 2nd and 8 SU 47 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Right 9 yard gain Franklin Tackle
1st and 10 SU 38 Holding 10 yard penalty
4:28 1st and 20 SU 48 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Zone Blitz (rush 4), LDE in coverage Designed pass, run Middle 3 yard gain Clark Tackle
3:52 2nd and 17 SU 45 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Left 1 yard gain Clark Tackle
3:12 3rd and 16 SU 44 1 RB, 4 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB LOLB and MLB Blitz (rush 5) Pass Left Interception Dowels Interception, great leaping catch on high throw
DRIVE 12
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
1:31 1st and 10 CU 39 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Middle 11 yard gain Cordy Tackle
1:05 1st and 10 CU 50 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Left Incomplete Almost caught for 45 yard gain, WR out of bounds
0:57 2nd and 10 CU 50 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Right 9 yard gain Thompson Tackle
0:28 3rd and 16 SU 42 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB and MLB Blitz (rush 6) Run Middle 1 yard loss Dowels Tackle

Clemson Play Calls: 6 runs, 12 passes

Defensive personnel: 14 base defense, 4 subpackages

Blitzes: 10/18 (55.6%)

The third quarter was easily the best for the defense on Saturday. For once, the unit stepped up after facing some adversity, giving up chunk yardage on the first drive, before getting two tipped balls at the line in a row to force a punt. Then on the second drive, giving up yards on two costly personal fouls, followed up by a big time interception. Usually when this defense has gotten punched in the mouth this year, it has cowered. Not in the third quarter on Saturday.

Fourth Quarter

DRIVE 12 (cont)
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
15:00 4th and 2 SU 42 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Left 14 yard gain Fake dive, HB toss, Dowels Tackle
14:41 1st and 10 SU 28 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A PA Pass Left 5 yard gain Thompson Tackle
14:19 2nd and 5 SU 23 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) PA WR Screen pass Left 7 yard gain
14:04 1st and 10 SU 16 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 2 yard gain Simmons Tackle
13:46 2nd and 8 SU 14 1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB and ROLB Blitz (rush 6) PA Pass Middle Incomplete Dropped pass
13:42 3rd and 8 SU 14 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 2 LB, 5 DB MLB, LOLB and Safety Blitz (rush 7) PA Pass Middle Incomplete Dowels Pass Breakup, pass was rushed under pressure from Thomas
DRIVE 13
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
10:14 1st and 10 CU 15 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 39 yard gain Designed QB draw
9:45 1st and 10 SU 46 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Left 6 yard gain Hudson Tackle
9:21 2nd and 4 SU 40 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 6 yard gain Thompson Tackle
9:04 1st and 10 SU 34 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB and Safety Zone Blitz (rush 5), RDE in coverage WR Screen Pass Left 9 yard gain Williams Tackle
8:31 2nd and 1 SU 25 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Right No gain Simmons Tackle
7:47 3rd and 1 SU 25 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB MLB Blitz (rush 5) Run Middle No gain Franklin, Thomas Tackle
DRIVE 14
Time Down Ball O Personnel D Personnel Blitz Run/Pass Direction Result Note
5:57 1st and 10 CU 20 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Zone Blitz (rush 4), RDE in coverage WR Screen Pass Right 1 yard gain Hudson Tackle
5:19 2nd and 9 CU 21 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB ROLB Blitz (rush 5) PA Pass Right 10 yard gain Hodge Tackle
4:42 1st and 10 CU 31 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 3 yard gain Cordy Tackle
4:34 2nd and 7 CU 34 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Zone Blitz (rush 4), RDE in coverage PA WR Screen pass Left 6 yard gain Dowels Tackle
4:02 3rd and 1 CU 40 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 7 yard gain Whitner Tackle
3:34 1st and 10 CU 47 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB LOLB Blitz (rush 5) WR Screen Pass Right 14 yard gain Franklin Tackle
2:56 1st and 10 SU 39 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Middle 4 yard gain Samuels, Franklin Tackle
2nd and 6 SU 35 False Start 5 yard penalty
2:49 2nd and 11 SU 40 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Shovel Pass Right 8 yard gain Franklin Tackle
3rd and 3 SU 32 Defensive Holding 10 yard penalty
2:39 1st and 10 SU 22 1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Run Left 4 yard loss Thompson Tackle great play on zone read QB keep
1:58 2nd and 14 SU 26 1 RB, 4 WR 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Pass Incomplete Thompson Pass Deflected
3rd and 14 SU 26 Delay of game 5 yard penalty
1:54 3rd and 19 SU 31 5 WR 3 DL, 3 LB, 5 DB MLB Blitz (rush 4) Run Middle 17 yard gain QB Draw, Dowels Tackle
4th and 2 SU 14 Offside 5 yard penalty trying to block FG
1:03 1st and goal SU 9 Victory 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Kneel Down 1 yard loss
0:26 2nd and goal SU 10 Victory 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB N/A Kneel Down 1 yard loss

Clemson Play Calls: 13 runs, 12 passes

Defensive personnel: 23 base defense, 2 subpackages

Blitzes: 12/25 (48%)

More bending without breaking for the SU defense, which is pretty much all you could hope for at this point. Sure they gave up some yards, and weren't able to flip the field, but when you only give up 6 points in the fourth quarter against the No. 1 team in the nation, it's hard to be upset with that result. If we're being critical, we can point to the two big conversions on defensive penalties - first on a defensive hold, and second on an offside penalty on fourth down that allowed the Tigers to run out the rest of the clock.

  • Total Yards (per play): 570 (6.8) - 84 plays are second-most to Central Michigan game
  • Total Rushing Yards (per carry): 202 (5.6)
  • Plays in base defense (4-3): 67 of 84 (80%)
  • Plays in subpackages: 17 of 84 (20%)
  • Blitzes: 44 of 84 (52.4%)