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Clemson

Dave Clawson evaluates DJ Uiagalelei in new-look Clemson offense

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham09/20/22AndrewEdGraham
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The version of DJ Uiagalelei that nearly beat Notre Dame during a spot start in South Bend two years ago has yet to make a reappearance, but the junior Clemson quarterback has been markedly better from last year, his first full year starting. Ahead of an important matchup in the ACC Atlantic race between Clemson and Wake Forest, Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson took stock of the Tigers quarterback.

So far this season, Uiagalelei has been a significantly more accurate passer and cut back on the interceptions that plagued him a year ago — sacks, too. Clawson, according to ESPN’s David Hale, thinks Uiagalelei’s accuracy is borne from an increased level of comfort.

“He’s more comfortable and when he’s comfortable his accuracy is so much better,” Clawson said, according to Hale.

Through three games this season, Uiagalelei has completed nearly 10 percent more of his pass attempts (64.8% this year) — while going for 1.5 more yards per attempt — and thrown five touchdowns to just one interception.

The Clemson offense hasn’t quite been electric despite scoring 41.3 points-per-game — the Tigers have scored 10 rushing touchdowns to six passing and are 63rd nationally in yards per game. But if Uiagalelei keeps up the efficient play and avoids negative plays, the Tigers have a lights-out defense that won’t need bushels of points to win, week-in, week-out.

Clemson has dominated the Demon Deacons of late, winning 13-straight contests dating back to 2009. Clawson hasn’t beaten Clemson since taking over at Wake Forest in 2014. He’s had some good teams only to still be bested by the Tigers.

But this year, against a Wake Forest team that averages 42 points a contest and has quarterback Sam Hartman at the helm again, Clemson might need a tick more out of Uiagalelei to keep the upper hand.