The Capital One Orange Bowl was a great game. The game was competitive with both schools showing that they have “complete” teams. In a game that made more news by the amount of players that wouldn’t play, these men gave viewers something to notice. Christina Chapman wrote in her preview article here about Tennessee’s ability to achieve victory with so many opt-outs. Tennessee executed a good game plan with their backup players displaying a “Next man up” mentality.
Joe Milton is the MVP
Joe Milton’s story is “old school.” He transferred from Michigan and won the starting job at Tennessee last year. Per an article in the Knoxville Sentinel, he got injured in a game vs. Pittsburgh and Hendon Hooker entered and never let go of the job after. Read the rest of the article here. Milton could’ve pouted, and maybe he did in private. But he stayed at Tennessee. Milton amazed in the first half with his seemingly flat-footed posture in the pocket, not like other quarterbacks whose feet are puttering back and forth, hips swiveling. Milton’s numbers on the 1st drive? 4 passes for 50 yards, 3 rushes for 11 yards. 2nd drive? 4 passes for 73 yards.
Cade Klubnik is raw talent for Clemson
Cade Klubnik on the other hand, showed unbelievable athleticism but inexperience in being unable to read the Tennessee pressure. Aaron Beasley, linebacker for the Volunteers led the team with 10 tackles and two crucial sacks on Klubnik. He took a backseat to star linebacker Jeramy Banks but was able to step into the spotlight and shine when Banks opted-out. The story of Klubnik could be told in the last drive of the 1st half. Klubnik’s numbers? 7 passes for 52 yards, 3 runs for 14 yards. The final run though, was on a 3rd and 10 with the clock draining. Klubnik thought he could run for the first down and didn’t read his progressions. Dabo Swinney was visibly frustrated but then, calmly, put his hands on Klubnik’s helmet as the half ended and took advantage of the teaching moment.
Wil Shipley and Jalen Wright starred in 2nd half
Clemson came out in the second half and dedicated themselves to the run. Star running back Wil Shipley looked to be on a roll when, trailing 21-6, Clemson drove the ball for a touchdown to close to 21-14. Shipley had three carries for 18 yards and the two point conversion. Jalen Wright, the leading rusher for the Volunteers made plays. On the drive to go up 21-6, Wright had three caries for 56 yards.
Shipley finished with 17 carries for 72 yards and a second-guessing of the Clemson plan will be why wasn’t Shipley more involved. Conversely, a question will be why Klubnik shouldered so much of the execution of the game plan. Klubnik showed some flashes of brilliance. He will be the starting quarterback next year and will be second in rushing behind Shipley. Klubnik obviously thought through his judgement, that he was trying to win the game with one throw.
Squirrel White is his name, remember it.
With Jalin Hyatt, opting out, I wrote in my preview article here about who would step into the spotlight. Milton did so, but also a player with a cool nickname, “Squirrel” White was the go-to receiver. He is a freshman and his given name is Marquarius. The Knoxville Sentinel’s Adam Wright has a great article here on how he got that nickname. White finished with 108 receiving yards on nine catches. Joe Milton will return next season as he is a redshirt senior, so he will have his chance to cement his legacy as a college football quarterback.
