Riley on What Changed for Clemson Offense - Garrett Riley dives into progress of offense

From the first game of the season to the second, there was a drastic change in Clemson’s offense. At least in the unit’s production.

After the Tigers mustered just three points in the blowout loss to Georgia in the season-opener in Atlanta, many believed another season of up and down play on that side of the ball was in store.

One week later, after a record-setting performance against App State, perceptions started to shift. There was optimism abound. Last Saturday in another blowout win over NC State, Garrett Riley’s offense continued to hum, racing out to a 49-7 halftime lead.

So what changed? According to Riley, that answer is not as complex as some would expect.

“I think our guys understanding we left a lot out there that we could control in game one, and we were able to see that on tape,” Riley said on Tuesday. “And obviously, that match up, and how we matched up against them and their personnel and all those things. And so even though that was a disappointing day, I think our players had the right mindset. And I think that it was really evident that, hey, we just got to put this together and do it and we have been able to do that the last couple of weeks.”

Ironically, some of the things seen on tape from that Georgia game gave the players on the offense the belief that it could be done.

“I just think that belief of seeing it in game and knowing that there was truly a lot there that we should have made, that we expect to make, and we just didn’t get it done that day,” Riley added. “I just think, in a weird sort of way, it almost built confidence. Just from seeing that on tape.”

The improvement seen from Clemson’s offense over the past two games is one of the more noteworthy stories of the young college football season. From Cade Klubnik looking like one of the better quarterbacks in the country currently, to a group of wide receivers that are finally healthy and playing to potential. Not to mention an offensive line that has progressed exponentially under the tutelage of Matt Luke.

It is something the coaches were seeing signs of early in fall camp and it has now started to translate to the field of play.

“We’re older, and we’ve got a core of players that we really feel good about,” Riley said. “I think just all that combination just kind of buzzed up to this point.”

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