SB Nation Atlanta - Tajh Boyd Leads Clemson To 26-19 Win Over Auburn https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-09-01T22:37:35-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30378322012-09-01T22:37:35-04:002012-09-01T22:37:35-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson Final Score: Tajh Boyd Leads Tigers To 26-19 Win
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<p>Clemson comes away with a season opening 26-19 win over Auburn at the Chick-fil-A kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75473/tajh-boyd">Tajh Boyd's</a> fourth quarter touchdown pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113219/deandre-hopkins">DeAndre Hopkins</a> put the Tigers up for good after Auburn had briefly taken the lead with a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112883/cody-parkey">Cody Parkey</a> field goal. </p>
<p>Clemson ran up 528 yards of total offense against the Tigers. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35764/andre-ellington">Andre Ellington</a> rushed for a game-high 228 yards on 25 carries. Tajh Boyd threw for 208 yards and rushed for 58 more while accounting for one touchdown. Hopkins caught 13 passes for 119 yards. </p>
<p>Auburn's Kiehl Frazier struggled in the second half and finished 11 of 27 for 194 yards with a touchdown and an interception. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131875/tre-mason">Tre Mason</a> rushed for 106 yards on 14 carries while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78558/emory-blake">Emory Blake</a> caught four passes for 109 yards including a 54-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. </p>
<p><i>For more on this game visit <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson blog Shakin The Southland</a> and <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/">Auburn blog College and Magnolia</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around NCAA football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/1/3286157/auburn-vs-clemson-final-scoreKris Willis2012-09-01T20:46:42-04:002012-09-01T20:46:42-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson Halftime Score: Tajh Boyd, Tigers Take 13-10 Lead Into Half
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<p>Clemson takes a 13-10 lead into halftime of the Chick-fil-A game at the Georgia Dome. Auburn has to feel pretty lucky to be only down three points after the Tigers dominated for much of the half. Clemson out gained Auburn 275-192 in the first half and held the football for over 17 minutes. However, some untimely penalties hurt Clemson and Auburn is still well within striking distance at 13-10. </p>
<p>Clemson running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35764/andre-ellington">Andre Ellington</a> was the star of the first half rushing for 123 yards on 12 carries including a 68-yard run that set up the Tigers' only touchdown. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75473/tajh-boyd">Tajh Boyd</a> completed 15 of 21 passes for 128 yards and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113219/deandre-hopkins">DeAndre Hopkins</a> caught six passes for 80 yards in the first half. </p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136333/kiehl-frazier">Kiehl Frazier</a> completed 6 of 11 passes for Auburn for 114 yards and an interception. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78558/emory-blake">Emory Blake</a> caught a 54-yard touchdown in the first quarter for Auburn's only touchdown. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131875/tre-mason">Tre Mason</a> has 47 yards on four carries while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78531/onterio-mccalebb">Onterio McCalebb</a> has 37 yards on eight carries</p>
<p><i>For more on this game visit <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson blog Shakin The Southland</a> and <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/">Auburn blog College and Magnolia</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around NCAA football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/1/3286074/auburn-vs-clemson-halftime-scoreKris Willis2012-09-01T19:52:22-04:002012-09-01T19:52:22-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson Score: Emory Blake Touchdown Has Tigers Up 7-3
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<p>Auburn and Clemson got off to a fast start in the Chick-fil-A kickoff game at the Georgia Dome Saturday night. Clemson jumped on the board first with a 24 yard field goal from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113236/chandler-catanzaro">Chandler Catanzaro</a> that capped off an 83 yard drive. Auburn answered right back marching 75 yards in just four plays thanks to a 54 yard touchdown pass from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136333/kiehl-frazier">Kiehl Frazier</a> to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78558/emory-blake">Emory Blake</a> to make the score 7-3. </p>
<p>Frazier completed 3 of 4 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75473/tajh-boyd">Tajh Boyd</a> finished the quarter 6 of 9 for 74 yards passing. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35764/andre-ellington">Andre Ellington</a> has 43 yards rushing on 10 carries and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113219/deandre-hopkins">DeAndre Hopkins</a> caught four passes for 60 yards. </p>
<p>Clemson dominated the first quarter in time of possession but only came out with a field goal to show for it. </p>
<p><i>For more on this game visit <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson blog Shakin The Southland</a> and <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/">Auburn blog College and Magnolia</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around NCAA football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/1/3286033/auburn-vs-clemson-2012-scoreKris Willis2012-09-01T09:02:32-04:002012-09-01T09:02:32-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson Time, TV, Radio Info And More
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<p>It's the battle of the Tigers as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/auburn-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Auburn</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/clemson-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Clemson </a>square off to open the 2012 college football season on Saturday night in the fifth annual Chick-fil-A kickoff game. This is the third year in a row that these two teams have met on the gridiron.</p>
<p>In 2010, Auburn was led by current <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> quarterback Cam Newton as they won the matchup 27-24. Last year, Clemson emerged victorious, 38-24. Both of those games were intense and this one should certainly be no different, especially with both teams dealing with suspensions and new on-field schemes.</p>
<p><b><i>Game Date/Time</i></b>: Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b><i>Location</i></b>: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.</p>
<p><b><i>TV:</i></b> ESPN</p>
<p><b><i>Radio</i></b>: WWCP 104.9 FM (Clemson), WNSP 105.5 FM (Auburn)</p>
<p><b><i>Live Stream</i></b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/559828/clemson-vs-auburn">WatchESPN</a></p>
<p><b><i>Spread</i></b>: Clemson by 3.5</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For updates, stay tuned to<a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;"> SB Nation Atlanta</a>. For more comprehensive coverage of this matchup, visit <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">Clemson blog Shakin The Southland</a> and <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">Auburn blog College and Magnolia</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around NCAA football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;">college football hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/1/3284813/auburn-vs-clemson-time-tv-radioBryan Crawford2012-09-01T08:48:59-04:002012-09-01T08:48:59-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson Odds: ACC Tigers Narrow Favorite
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<p>Auburn and Clemson open their respective seasons with a showdown between a pair of Tigers on Saturday. For you betting folks out there, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/9/1/3284471/clemson-tigers-vs-auburn-tigers-betting-preview-and-pick">most online sportsbooks</a> were listing Clemson as a <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/clemson-auburn-odds-september-1-2012">2.5-point favorite for this game</a> as of Friday night, while one (Bovada) had the ACC Tigers as 3-point chalk. The 'over/under' was sitting near 55.5.</p>
<p>Clemson is ranked No. 25 in the pre-season AP poll and they bring back seven starters on both sides of the ball from a group that went 10-4 overall last year, 7-2 in the ACC. Most notably, Auburn upset Virginia Tech in the conference championship game before West Virginia gave them the business in the Orange Bowl.</p>
<p>Auburn returns 15 starters from a team that went 8-5 last year, 4-4 in the SEC and beat Virginia in a bowl game. The offensive line is experienced for the most part, with three of them returning from last year's team, but Auburn has a new quarterback and no <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112868/michael-dyer">Michael Dyer</a> this season.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Tigers football, visit <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/" target="new">Auburn blog College And Magnolia</a>, plus <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/" target="new">SEC blog Team Speed Kills</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/9/1/3284803/auburn-vs-clemson-line-spread-oddsBrandon Scott2012-08-30T12:25:44-04:002012-08-30T12:25:44-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson: SB Nation's Bill Connelly Previews Tigers Season
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<p>Defining success for the Auburn Tigers in 2012 isn't so easy, considering all the possibilities facing them going into the season. As SB Nation's Bill Connelly<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012/8/21/3256085/2012-auburn-tigers-football-preview"> notes</a> from the <a href="http://footballoutsiders.com/store">Football Outsiders Almanac 2012</a>, Auburn has a two percent chance of going 4-8, a four percent chance of going 10-2 and a 54 percent chance of going either 7-5 or 8-4. </p>
<p>Of course, Auburn was ranked 22nd to start 2010, then 14-0 and Cam Newton's Heisman Trophy run happened. Here's some analysis from Connelly looking at the Tigers' future:</p>
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.999998092651367px;">In the last two years, Auburn has proven both that a) recruiting rankings are rather predictive (Newton and Dyer were both five-star recruits, and in the two years leading up to 2010, Chizik had signed the No. 19 and No. 4 recruiting classes in the country, respectively, according to Rivals.com), and b) recruiting rankings aren't everything (no way should a team with back-to-back top-seven classes finish 52nd in F/+). Heading into 2012, the sheer quantity of Auburn's four- and five-star signees is the largest reason for optimism, but if you believe more in proven production, the Tigers might still be a year away from returning to the big-time.</span></p>
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<p><i>For more on Tigers football, visit <a target="new" href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/">Auburn blog College And Magnolia</a>, plus <a target="new" href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/">SEC blog Team Speed Kills</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/30/3279822/auburn-vs-clemson-2012Brandon Scott2012-08-30T11:02:00-04:002012-08-30T11:02:00-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson: Clemson Has Options At Receiver
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/clemson-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Clemson Tigers</a>' offense improved considerably from 2010 to 2011, and standout wide receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133723/sammy-watkins" class="sbn-auto-link">Sammy Watkins</a> had a lot to do with that. Clemson will be without Watkins in its season opener, but as SB Nation's Bill Connelly noted in<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/7/27/3188484/2012-clemson-tigers-football-preview"> his season preview of the Tigers</a>, the Tigers still have some useful options in the passing game.</p>
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<p>Watkins alone did not account for this enormous improvement, however. He was, after all, targeted by just one quarter of Clemson's passes. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113219/deandre-hopkins" class="sbn-auto-link">DeAndre Hopkins</a></span> (961 yards, 9.0 per target, 66 percent catch rate) was a strong No. 2 wideout last year, and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35750/jaron-brown" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaron Brown</a></span> (406 yards, 8.3 per target, 63 percent catch rate) was a solid No. 3.</p>
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<p>Clemson faces Auburn at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to<a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com"> SB Nation Atlanta</a>. For more comprehensive coverage of this matchup, visit <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson blog Shakin The Southland</a> and <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/">Auburn blog College and Magnolia</a>. For more news, notes and analysis from around NCAA football, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/30/3279576/auburn-vs-clemson-2012Steven Muma2012-08-30T10:50:33-04:002012-08-30T10:50:33-04:00Auburn Vs. Clemson: Tajh Boyd Done With Being Complacent
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<p>After bursting onto the scene last year during Clemson's first eight games of the season, quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75473/tajh-boyd" class="sbn-auto-link">Tajh Boyd</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thestate.com/2012/08/30/2410795/morris-boyd-mastering-the-power.html#.UD94h9AyiQJ">admitted to The (South Carolina) State</a> this week that he became complacent toward the end of the year and gained roughly 15 pounds.</p>
<p>After a weak finish to last season -- Boyd threw nine interceptions to match his nine touchdowns during Clemson's last four games of 2011 -- the redshirt junior is ready to rebound and has put in the necessary work during the offseason. After shooting up to 235 pounds last season, Boyd has altered his diet and now weighs 220 pounds heading into Clemson's season opening game against Auburn.</p>
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<p>"For us to be successful, everybody has to play their part," Boyd told The State. "For me, being overweight is like playing with 10 people instead of 11. I have to be in the best shape possible for us to be the offense we can be."</p>
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<p>Boyd's offseason makeover, which included both physical and mental aspects, included a positive shift in attitude, the addition of more team leadership responsibilities and a trip to George Whitefield's quarterback academy in California.</p>
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<p>"The team morale is based on how the coaches and the quarterback act," Boyd told The State. "If you're out there pouting, [your teammates] are like, ‘We've got nothing left. It's a wrap.' So, staying positive is big."</p>
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<p><b><i>For more on Boyd, and Clemson football in general, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Shakin' the Southland</a>.</i></b></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/30/3279517/auburn-vs-clemson-tajh-boydJakob Engelke