No. 2 Clemson escapes Troy with win despite Ray-Ray McCloud dropping ball at goal line

Graham Watson

It might not be time for Clemson to press the panic button yet, but it’s getting close.

After struggling to defeat Auburn last week, the Tigers nearly were upset by Troy on Saturday. Clemson won the game 30-24, but its offense struggled with consistency much like it did during the season opener.

Clemson’s offensive line struggled to keep the Troy defense at bay, which caused the Tigers to back away from the running game and lean on the arm of quarterback DeShaun Watson. Clemson had just 122 rushing yards with Watson leading the way 55 yards and star running back Wayne Gallman settling for 34, his lowest output since Nov. 22, 2014.

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 10: against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
Deshaun Watson looks on against the Troy Trojans. (Getty Images)

Watson threw the ball an astonishing 53 times. He didn’t throw the ball 53 times in any game last year. The closest was 48 against Syracuse. Watson finished with 292 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

While the Troy defense played well, many of Clemson’s struggles were of its own making. The Tigers had several passes dropped including one in the end zone in the first half. Also, Ray-Ray McCloud inexplicably dropped the ball on the ½-yard line after he beat the Troy defense on a punt return. Troy recovered the fumble:

Clemson only led 13-10 at half and the second half brought more of the same struggles. The only time Clemson was able to gain any momentum was in the fourth quarter when it scored 17 unanswered points. But even that was short-lived. Troy scored two touchdowns late to make it a six-point game with less than a minute remaining. The Trojans failed to recover the onside kick and Clemson escaped.

It’s difficult to know what to make of this Clemson team. In some ways it’s playing a lot like the 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes. That team also came into the season with heavy expectations and ended up winning some games with talent rather than skill.

Clemson has a game against South Carolina State and Georgia Tech to work out these kinks before a Week 5 date with Louisville, which looks like it could be the ACC’s party crasher this season.

For more Clemson news, visit TigerIllustrated.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!