Gameday Guide: Clemson vs. Furman TV info, watch online, radio, more
Clemson opens the 2018 football season against Furman on Saturday at Death Valley. Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Game info
Who: Furman (0-0) at Clemson (0-0)
When: 12:20 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium (81,500)
Series history: Clemson leads the all-time series 42-10-4, including a 41-7 win the last time the two teams met in 2012.
TV: ACC Network, WKTC in Columbia, WMYA in Greenville-Spartanburg (Tom Werme, Dave Archer, Lericia Harris) - Full list of TV affiliates
Radio: 93.1 FM in Columbia, 93.3 in Greenville (Don Munson, Rodney Williams, Reggie Merriweather) ... See all the radio affiliates around the state here.
Satellite radio: Sirius 111/XM 193
Weather: Mostly sunny with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, high near 91, chance of rain 40 percent
What’s at stake
Clemson is aiming to win its 31st consecutive game against Furman. The Tigers have not lost to the Paladins since 1936.
Clemson can improve to 33-0 against FCS teams with a win against Furman. Clemson is undefeated against FCS teams since the NCAA formed the division prior to the 1978 season.
Dabo Swinney can improve to 9-1 in series openers with a win against the Paladins. His only loss came at Georgia in 2014.
The teams, by the numbers (2017)
CU | FUR | |
Points/Game | 33.3 | 32.6 |
Opp. Points/Game | 13.6 | 23.9 |
Yds. Rushing/Game | 194.1 | 225.8 |
Opp. Yds Rush/Game | 114.9 | 149.3 |
Yds. Pass/Game | 235.5 | 197.8 |
Opp. Yds. Pass/Game | 161.9 | 227.7 |
Avg. Yds./Game | 429.6 | 423.6 |
Opp. Total Yds/Game | 276.7 | 377.0 |
Clemson players to watch
1. Running back Travis Etienne had a great spring and preseason camp, doing enough to pass Tavien Feaster as Clemson’s starting running back. The sophomore has a chance to be one of the best backs in college football this season after averaging 7.2 yards per carry and rushing for 13 touchdowns as a freshman.
2. Clemson lost a pair of starting receivers off of last year’s offense but has a group of talented playmakers ready to step up. Sophomore receiver Tee Higgins is the most likely candidate to have a breakout year after coming on strong at the end of last season and having a great spring game.
3. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is finally healthy after being banged up for much of last year and should have a monster junior season. Lawrence will have an opportunity to get off to a good start against what will be an overmatched Furman offensive line
Furman players to watch
1. Junior receiver Thomas Gordon led the Paladins in receptions with 39 and in yards with 717 last season. The Charlotte native will have the attention of Clemson’s secondary.
2. Safety Aaquil Annoor recorded 64 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2017. Annoor also tied for the team lead with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The senior is perhaps the best player on Furman’s defense.
3. Furman could start a quarterback who is a student at Clemson in addition to a cornerback who used to play for the Tigers. Amir Trapp, who played in 10 games for Clemson last season, is listed as a starter for the Paladins on their depth chart. Trapp went to Daniel High and was a three-star prospect.
Clemson depth chart
OFFENSE
QB - Kelly Bryant (Trevor Lawrence, Chase Brice)
RB – Travis Etienne (Adam Choice, Tavien Feaster, Lyn-J Dixon)
WR - Tee Higgins (Diondre Overton or Justyn Ross)
WR - Hunter Renfrow (Trevion Thompson, T.J. Chase, Will Swinney)
WR – Amari Rodgers (Cornell Powell, Derion Kendrick)
TE - Milan Richard or Garrett Williams (J.C. Chalk, Braden Galloway, Cannon Smith)
LT - Mitch Hyatt (Jackson Carman, Noah DeHond)
LG - John Simpson (Matt Bockhorst)
C - Justin Falcinelli (Gage Cervenka, Zach Giella)
RG – Sean Pollard (Cade Stewart, Zach Giella)
RT - Tremayne Anchrum (Chandler Reeves, Blake Vinson)
DEFENSE
DE - Clelin Ferrell (Justin Foster, K.J. Henry)
DT - Dexter Lawrence (Nyles Pinckney, Jordan Williams)
DT - Christian Wilkins (Albert Huggins, Xavier Kelly)
DE - Austin Bryant (Logan Rudolph or Chris Register, Xavier Thomas)
SLB/NB – Isaiah Simmons (Jalen Williams, Baylon Spector)
MLB –Tre Lamar (Chad Smith or Judah Davis, Regan Upshaw)
WLB – Kendall Joseph (J.D. Davis, Shaq Smith)
CB – A.J. Terrell (Mark Fields, Mario Goodrich, LeAnthony Williams)
SS – K’Von Wallace (Nolan Turner, Hall Morton)
FS – Tanner Muse (Denzel Johnson, Kyle Cote)
CB – Trayvon Mullen (Kyler McMichael, Brian Dawkins Jr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK - Greg Huegel (B.T. Potter or Alex Spence)
P - Will Spiers (Carson King)
LS(PK) - Patrick Phibbs (Austin Spence, Jack Maddox)
LS (P) - Austin Spence (Patrick Phibbs, Jack Maddox)
H - Will Swinney (Will Spiers)
PR - Amari Rodgers (Hunter Renfrow, Derion Kendrick)
KOR - Cornell Powell (Travis Etienne, Lyn-J Dixon, Amari Rodgers)
This story was originally published September 1, 2018 at 6:05 AM.