Sapakoff: Clemson's "organized chaos" makes the football team the happiest | Clemson

CLEMSON – Lemanski Hall has announced the news to all the followers of the university.

"Are you ready?" Asked the coach of Clemson's defensive purposes.

What do you think? Tristan Walliser began to hope early in the Tigers' 52 to 10 win against Charlotte on Saturday night at Death Valley. Earlier than that, actually. Last fall. Last spring. All summer.

A junior defensive stretch who did not play football at Clover High School – he rather played lacrosse – Walliser could not help but notice that the coaching staff of Clemson emptied a crowded bench in order to get as many players into play as possible.

"Yes, sir," Walliser said.

Clemson is the happiest team in the sport, not just because the Tigers are 4-0 and No. 1 for Saturday's North Carolina game.

Reason # 2: They lead the world in the players played. That was a total of 111 against Charlotte, enough to drive even a crazy veteran coach.

"Organized chaos," said head coach Dabo Swinney.

But, oh, the spirit of the team.

Although 111 is a record participation in Clemson (breaking the record of 94 against Louisville in 2018), it is not surprising. The Tigers, which combine an elite team, concentrated beginners, smart coaches and less aggressive opponents, are at the top of the average player ranking per game: 72.5 (Georgia is second at 65.6, the Florida third with 62.8).

You probably like this trend (unless you're a fan of a rival team) if …

• you were a pedestrian

• You deeply regret not to walk after this remarkable intramural passage

• Your eyes are scrambled in "Rudy"

Clemson brought the 72 players allocated to Syracuse and played 71 in a 41-6 victory.

Third quarterback Taisun Phommachanh did not play in Syracuse, but five-on-five and five-quarters were played against Charlotte:

1. Trevor Lawrence, released before half-time.

2. Chase Brice, second best quarterback of ACC, insists Swinney.

3. Phommachanh, a freshman

4. Ben Batson without an appointment.

5. And Patrick McClure, a Redshirt law student at Irmo, who tore an ACL last December while practicing at the Dallas AT & T stadium just before the appearance of Clemson's Cotton Bowl.

McClure took the last four against Charlotte.

"It's cool," Swinney said. "You have a lot of guys who can say that they played for the Tigers and nobody can take that away from them. Many guys have worked very hard and do not have the chance to play or a lot. And for them to be rewarded for their hard work and go out to play, in such a setting, it is quite special.

Walk-on U

The two brothers Herbstreit, freshmen in Nashville and son of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, have qualified for the match against Charlotte.

Tye Herbstreit took a look at his position, wide receiver.

Jake Herbstreit, a back defender, was rushed to the receiver post to try to get his first two college shots.

Swinney, it's not a coincidence, was a receiver before becoming a member of the Alabama National Championship team in 1992. Two of her sons, Will and Drew, are clemson.

Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott, the offensive coordinators of the Tigers, were spotless receivers at Clemson.

While Clemson has improved as a program by winning two of the last three national championships, player-by-game statistics have increased.

It was 62.5 in 2016, 68.4 in 2017 and 72.5 last year. It's 81.0 so far this season.

It also helps with recruitment.

"That says a lot about everyone, honestly and about the love that they have for their players," said Phil Kornblut analyst Ryan Linthicum, a Maryland nominee part of Maryland Class 2021, who had committed to Clemson this week. "And if you work hard, you'll have a little play time."

Twist on 'Rudy'

Tristan Walliser took part in two shots on Saturday night.

"Go ahead of all those fans – and I think we have the best base of college football fans – that was really crazy," he said. "It was a surreal moment."

He is a "very grateful" major in financial management, a former 6-3 pound, 225-pound Clemson club lacrosse player who left the sport when he realized he was too aggressive.

So Walliser, who played football from the second to the ninth year, started to train. He ran in August 2018 at the Clemson Trials.

He made the team.

He quickly became friends with the starting defensive ends, Clelin Ferrell (Oakland Raiders) and Austin Bryant (Detroit Lions), and ended up with a national championship ring. They invited him to stay with them and attend an NFL game.

Now, Walliser offers an authentic gaming experience for current friends and future grandchildren.

"It's great," he said. "Everyone here works. We do not have anyone who works 100% every day. For a guy like me to play, it's great. And it's a complete team experience.

For example, the game Georgia Tech. Walliser was not among the passers-by who signed the 52-14 win in the opening match on Aug. 29. But he was delighted with the friends who took part.

Sorry, Hollywood. A version of "Rudy" – the 1993 film about Rudy Ruettiger without his lady – would not work here.

There are just too many Rudys to follow when chaos is organized.

Follow Gene Sapakoff on Twitter @sapakoff