It’s Game Day! Clemson travels to Kenan Stadium to battle the Heels in search of their first ACC victory of the year.
Location: Kenan Stadium (60,000)
Kickoff: 3:30 PM
Television: ABC/ESPN
Announcers: Carter Blackburn, Mike Bellotti, Brock Huard
2010 Record: Clemson 2-2 North Carolina 2-2
ACC Record: Clemson 0-1 North Carolina 0-1
Series History: Clemson leads 34-18-2
Last Meeting: Clemson won 52-7 in 2006
Maxwell Closing on Record
Clemson cornerback Byron Maxwell has been one of the leading tacklers over the past few years. Byron has three special teams tackles this year and now 40 on his career. Maxwell needs just seven more to tie the Clemson career record of 47 by Chad Speck who played from 1997-2000.
First ACC Road Game
Clemson will search for their first ACC win of the year when they play their first conference road game on Saturday. Each of the last two years Clemson has lost their first ACC road game of the year. In 2008 the Tigers fell 12-7 at Wake Forest. In 2009 the Tigers lost a tight game with Georgia Tech 30-27.
Tiger Fans Get Money Worth
The Tigers have played four games this season and the games have averaged 3.32 hours. That ties the Tigers for 5th in the nation in avaerage length of games.
Special Teams Special This Year
The Clemson special teams have been outstanding so far this season. Here are a few stats:
– Second in thenation in net punting witha 43.42 average. Only Pittsburgh is better with 44.75.
– Clemson held Miami to only one punt return yard on seven punts. The Canes entered the game seventh in the nation in punt returns.
– Clemson is 18th in the nation in punt returns with an average of 14.1 yards per return. Marcus Gilchrist is ninght in the nation with a 17.11 average.
– Marcus Gilchrist is also 28th in the nation in kickoff returns
Coming Home
Twelve Tigers are natives of North Carolina, including four starters. Marchus Gilchrist, Dwayne Allen, Chris Hairston and Landon Walker all played their high school football in North Carolina.
Ellington Closing on Spiller Record
Andre Ellington has 871 yards rushing on 122 carries in his career. Andre is on pace to reach 1000 yards in fewer carries than any other Clemson running back. C.J. Spiller is the current record holder. Spiller reached the 1000 yard mark in 2007 whit his 142 carry. Ellington has only 122 attempts so he needs to gai 129 on his next 19 carries to break Spiller’s record.
TCI Predictions
Robert: North Carolina 31 Clemson 27
