While it's been the top-end performances by Clemson wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins that have stolen the headlines this season, Dabo Swinney said Thursday that it's the depth and breadth of the Tigers' pass-catching arsenal that is the group's greatest strength.
The Tigers put their full array of weaponry on display against Wake Forest. On a night that Hopkins and Watkins combined for 14 receptions, and Watkins broke Hopkins' month-old record with 202 yards, nine other receivers caught at least one pass.
Tajh Boyd threw touchdown passes to five different receivers - Watkins, Hopkins, tight ends Brandon Ford and Sam Cooper, and Charone Peake.
Martavis Bryant caught three passes for 82 yards, Jaron Brown had three for 40 yards, Ford and Andre Ellington had two each, and Adam Humphries, Matt Porter and Daniel Rodriguez each had one.
"When we're at our best, we're spreading the ball around," said Swinney. "That's something I was disappointed in last week (against Virginia Tech). So many different guys touched the ball, and that's what makes us go.
"Tajh did a good job of spreading the wealth, and all night, he was just putting the ball right on the money. We got unto a rhythm, and guys were finishing plays."
Clemson's 11-receiver total was its second highest of the season, after the Ball State game, in which 12 different Tigers caught passes. Clemson utilized four receivers against Auburn, eight against Furman, seven against both FSU and Boston College, nine against Georgia Tech and just three against Virginia Tech.
2014 Clemson commit C.J. Fuller
Clemson 8, USC Upstate 7
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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