Containing RB Will Shipley Miami football key versus Clemson
Clemson running back Will Shipley has 26.1 percent of the Tigers’ yards from scrimmage this season. The key for the Miami football team defensively against Clemson will be containing Shipley. Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is second on the Tigers with 477 yards from scrimmage.
Shipley has 12 of the 42 Clemson touchdowns this season. Miami has to be aware of Shipley as a dual threat with 899 rushing yards and all 12 of his touchdowns with 25 receptions for 168 yards. The Miami football team is fourth in the ACC allowing 3.65 yard per carry and fifth permitting 125.60 rushing yards per game.
Shipley is also the primary kick returner for Clemson with eight returns for 211 yards and a 26.4 average. Boston College is the only team to hold Shipley under four yards per carry this season. Shipley had 10 carries for 33 yard and a TD with only one reception for eight yards in a 31-3 Clemson victory.
Shipley has 100-yard games this season versus Louisiana Tech, Wake Forest, Syracuse and Louisville. Miami held Bethune-Cookman, Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech under 100 yards rushing. Stopping the run has been a big difference for Miami this season between winning and losing.
Miami defensive coordintor Kevin Steele praised Shipley for his speed, that he is difficult to tackle and that the Hurricanes’ defenders better know where Shipley is. Steele compared Shipley to the book Where’s Waldo. Shipley has 179 touches which make up 24.9 percent of the Clemson plays this season.
Miami has to limit the Clemson run and make quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and the Clemson receviers beat them with the pass. Notre Dame held Clemson to season lows of 90 yards rushing, 281 total yards, 4.32 yards per play and the Tigers’ 191 yards passing was their second lowest 2022 output.
Shipley had 12 carries for 63 yards and a TD with five receptions for 17 yards in a 35-14 Clemson loss at Notre Dame on November 5. The 4.7 yards per play Shipley averaged versus Notre Dame was his second lowest this season. Uiagalelei threw for 371 yards versus Wake Forest in September.
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Uiagalelei ran for a season high 73 yards against North Carolina State. Notre Dame limited Uiagalelei to 23 rushing yards and 191 passing yards. Steele and his staff likely carefully studied what Notre Dame did defensively to limit Clemson. Miami needs one of its best defensive performances versus Clemson.