Jadeveon Clowney was not William Wallace during the University of South Carolinas 2013 season opener …
The University of South Carolina defensive end – hyped to mythical dimensions during the preseason – did not channel the Scottish warrior and consume the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels with “fireballs from his eyes, or bolts of lightning from his arse.”
There was lightning … but that came from mother nature, not the man-child frequently referred to as a “freak of nature.”
Clowney didn’t have a terrible game. In fact he played a critical role in keeping the Tar Heel offense out of the end zone after a nearly two-hour weather delay interrupted the fourth quarter of South Carolina’s 27-10 victory on Thursday night. But he also failed to record a sack, had a penalty called against him and – most disturbingly – didn’t appear to have his motor running at full throttle.
“I told him during the break, ‘You ought to be well-rested now,'” Gamecock head coach Steve Spurrier told Clowney during the extended delay.
Clowney, who boasted about being in the best shape of his life heading into the 2013 season, didn’t appear well-conditioned against North Carolina. In fact on numerous plays he looked … tired. Even lazy. And then there were the numerous other plays he missed, including a critical fourth down conversion by the Tar Heels which led to their only touchdown of the game.
Why wasn’t Clowney in the game for that play?
“First game of the season,” Clowney said afterward. “It’s going to get better. Week after week, it’s going to get better and better.”
It better … or else Clowney’s Heisman Trophy quest is going to be over before it begins.
Spurrier acknowledged his superstar didn’t have his best game.
“Did you watch what I was watching?” he told reporters when asked about Clowney after the game. “I don’t have to say it.”
To his credit, Clowney was suffering from the lingering effects of a stomach virus. And, as usual, he was double teamed on virtually every play. And North Carolina ran away from him all night – calling runs and short passes that went where the 6-foot-6, 274-pounder wasn’t.
Oh, and there were more than a few holding penalties against North Carolina offensive linemen which could have been called – but weren’t.
In spite of all that, Clowney showed flashes of his dominant, game-changing ability – racking up numerous quarterback pressures and recording three tackles. He also had UNC quarterback Bryn Renner in his grasp for a sack late in the game – only to have him slip away. But the “highlight gods” demand more than “flashes” from Clowney – they hunger for thunderous bone-crushing tackles like the one he delivered against Michigan’s Vincent Smith in the 2013 Outback Bowl.
Clowney will get another chance to satiate their appetites – and get his Heisman campaign back on track – when the sixth-ranked Gamecocks travel to Athens, Georgia on September 7 to do battle with the fifth-ranked Bulldogs. A big game between the hedges against Georgia and Clowney’s disappointing debut against the Tar Heels will be quickly forgotten.
FIRST REACTIONS
@fitsnews still heisman fav. Easy to hide so so game at D end. Highlight trophy, he’s highlight king
— Brant Branham (@Brantbranham) August 30, 2013
@fitsnews underwhelming is exactly the word I watched his half ass effort as he saw play after play go away from him Looked like he gave up
— Allen Roy (@aroymb) August 30, 2013
@fitsnews Wasn’t he battling a stomach bug last week? I’d give him a pass for now
— Holy City Sinner (@HolyCitySinner) August 30, 2013
70 comments
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf–jadeveon-clowney-doesn-t-need-another–hit–to-live-up-to-the-hype-052859726.html
Stomach virus, schmumach virus… it’s called lack of conditioning. It’s no surprise from those around the team that Clowney slacked off in the off-season. The hype has gone to his head, he just didn’t think it was this bad.
I’d like to see your ass take 50 or 60 snaps against an All SEC offensive lineman or two or three on a 100 degree day and still be in on the play 60-70% of the time.
Even if I’d been training for this very scenario for the past six months? UNC isn’t in the SEC, so I doubt he was facing an All SEC lineman. And from what I read on Gamecock boards, the ACC is just a conference full of candy ass players.
Clowney was in on 70% of every play? You must have watched a different game than I did. Maybe 20-30%.
How many of the other players on either side were walking off the field and throwing up. If it was a stomach virus he’d be doing more than barfing and standing around with his hands on his hips. That’s a clear cut case of lack of conditioning.
You think USC practiced to play UNC for 6 months? You know nothing about football.
I played football, scored 4 touchdowns in a single game, married a redhead, and drive a Dodge.
So this is what Clowney considers being in the best shape of his life… being winded by the 2nd quarter?
No you didn’t.
That went right over your pinhead didn’t it…
Jackie, that’s a dumb comment. Squishy123 isn’t a football player. James Hurst (Sr. UNC OT) is and he completely owned Clowney’s ass. There were news articles about Clowney taking practices off.
I’ve played football. Played with a stomach bug before. It makes you barf… A LOT.
Not to mention that other thing that comes along with a stomach bug.
Running and puking isn’t a stomach bug, it’s being out of shape.
you really are a dumbshit…he didn’t say he had a stomach bug during the game, he said he he was getting over a stomach bug and didn’t really eat much and didn’t feel the energy he normally does.
I’ve played football in my backyard. I’ve had a stomach bug before. Therefore, I know all about how Clowney felt during this particular game. I say you’re wrong.
Don’t feel bad, that tends to happen to a lot of grade school age children.
The article doesn’t say how Clowney dominated last night. It says Clowney was “UNDERWHELMING”. Read the fucking article, shit for brains.
Even the coach said after the weather delay, “You ought to be well-rested now.” That tells your extra chromosome having ass what?
You are correct, Hurst is an “All Conference” lineman – I’ll agree that it ain’t much of a conference but he’s still one of the best they have. Owned Clowney?!? Not hardly.
And he was offsides more than the one time he got caught….
No he wasn’t he had more eyes on him than any two other players. If you understood the rules, you’d know that he can encroach and withdraw legally.
So did you wear your garnet glasses the whole game?
Always – doesn’t change the facts…
Lord…do you understand football?
can’t be offsides if you don’t get caught
I was looking for The Freak and all I saw was The Clown.
He was looking in a mirror…
You folks don’t know which end of the ball you put on the tee!
If the stomach bug was still throwing him for a loop, we should see a better performance in the next game. Give him time.
Thanks Smirks! These naysayers need to give the guy a break. I’ll wager he improved throughoutn the season, if not injured.
I’m sticking with Clowney and the Gamecocks.
He was over-amped to start the game and probably burnt out a little due to the adrenaline dump from the start. Plus UNC runs a fast paced offense and they ran away from him so many times and he was chasing down those plays from behind. While he didn’t get a sack or make a highlight play his presence was very much felt and altered what UNC was trying to do on offense.
To the dipstick that down voted OGOB’s post – does the truth hurt that much?
Saving up for Georgia – objective was to win the game and show as little as possible.
Mission accomplished.
This “hiding it from the next team” crap always make me laugh. You cocks say this all the way up to the bowl game.
too much for you to comprehend that some coaches actually have a strategy that extends beyond one game at a time TATER STYLE.
Didn’t Clowney make the comment before the game that he was going to “take money out of his (James Hurst’s) pocket”? I know I heard the announcer say something to that effect during the game. Well James Hurst DOMINATED Clowney the entire game and if anything lined his own pockets with money.
Maybe instead of running off at the mouth at media days, slacking off during August practice, and making commercial deals with ESPN, Clowney should have been working. I honestly think he drew a big bulls-eye on his chest with his boasting. Funny the stomach virus issue wasn’t even mentioned until the 2nd quarter of the game. Prior to the start of the game he was “in the best shape he’s ever been in.”
Make excuses for him if you want, but I saw a tired, worn out, supposed “leader” taking plays off. He had his hands on his hips and he did not finish plays. He only had 3 tackles for crying out loud. If he plays like this vs Georgia, they will roll over him.
You are about a dumbshit. DE’s NEVER lead in tackles. He had 3 tackles. Last year during 13 games he totaled 54 tackles. That’s 4.15 a game. So he missed his average by 1. I’m sure your ignorant self will try to dismantle this, but those are stone cold facts.
And if you paid any attention, he lined up on both ends and in the middle, so James Hurst wasn’t on him all night.
And btw, Hurst isn’t a slouch…he spurned offers from Alabama, Ohio St etc, was a 5 star recruit, earned starting spot his freshman year, and is now on the Outland Trophy watch list and projected 1st rounder. So it wasn’t as if he was going up against some novice.
I know that you cock stain. LB’s usually lead in tackles. Take Clowney’s dick outta your mouth for 3 seconds and think. He was taking plays off when the team needed him. He was lolly gagging. He didn’t finish plays. You think last night’s performance helped his Heisman chances or draft stock? Man, if I were Jay-Z (Obviously the guy is gonna be his agent), after I got done pounding out Beyonce, I would be on the phone with his ass making sure he’s on a treadmill right this fucking second.
Even then, you proved my point. 3 tackles is below his average. Yeah, he had some pressure, but UNC had 3 freshmen OL starting. And by the time Clowney got to the QB, the ball was long gone. I knew the Gamecocks would win. I mean, we’re talking about UNC here. They’re a middle of the pack ACC team at best. They suck. The Gamecocks play like this against Georgia, and the they will get their asses handed to them on a platter. Better hope Clemson softens them up for you guys.
James Hurst HELD/TACKLED Clowney the entire game……….
They always hold him, that’s the only way they can attempt to keep him off the quarterback. Something the blowhards at ESPN and Ol’Sic Will ignore is that Clowney was in on or within an arms length of about 85% of the tackles that were run plays. We were so successful against the O Line on the other side from Clowney because they had their own all conference offensive end fighting Clowney all night. They had to double team and chip block him so much that the whole focus of their defense was “Clowney Prevention”. To quote the master of offensive destruction, “…did you see the score, I don’t care as long as we’re winning…”. The “…I don’t care…” part was in reference to some smart ass “used to be” commenting on Clowney’s fitness.
So… exactly how much money did you put down on Clowney winning the Heisman. I bet even the cheerleaders are standing around with their jaws dropped reading your comments.
Why didn’t the refs call it? The only penalty I saw that involved Clowney and UNC was the dirty ass clipping play. Clowney just wasn’t a factor.
The offense had some killer plays – 3 big yardage TD’s. They came out and smashed UNC in the mouth. The 75 yard scamper by Davis was a dagger to the heart.
But back to the subject matter, I’ve looked all over the internet. I can’t find one story about Clowney’s illness that pre-dated yesterday.
It’s pretty evident her that for all your posters lack of political acumen, they also lack football knowledge. Clowney was a tremendous factor. They ran the ball away from his direction, they double teamed him all night, he single handedly blew up an option and then walked down the runner from behind. Was he at 100%? – probably not. Was the mission to get 5 sacks? No….they knew with that type of offense it was highly improbable, even if Reggie White was lined up on the other side.
Pretty sure that short of him killing someone old Roman style, the hype wouldn’t be achieved. David Pollack even admitted that the DE’s are gonna take some plays off, but he also made some rather ridiculous comments as well…Pollack NEVER played against an offense that snapped the ball every 8 seconds. And once ESPN realizes that Jesse Palmer is better suited for the Bachelor than his analysis, all will be right.
Jesse Palmer was on the “Bachelor” which says all you need to know about his intelligence or lack thereof…he might be fine on ESPNU’s CFB Daily or whatever barely watched snoozefest of a show that he’s on, but he’s terrible as a color commentator.
Pollack’s not a whole lot better, but at least he was a legit baller on the field, so I give his comments a little more credence than Shanjaya Palmer.
How do you type with Clowney’s dick in your mouth?
He’s not using the ‘cup & blow’ technique, so his hands are free
Fried chicken in Georgia.
Can’t help but have sympathy for you Cocksucking Clemson posters!
He who laughs last laughs best!
How Republicans govern:
RALEIGH, N.C. —
Gov. Pat McCrory says a pair of 24-year-old campaign staffers landed
senior-level jobs in his administration because they were the most qualified
applicants, beating out older candidates.
But the N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services, where Matthew McKillip and Ricky Diaz
got big promotions and raises after only a few weeks of government service, has
been unable to provide any evidence their positions were ever advertised to
other potential applicants or that other candidates were considered.
In response to
a public records request from The Associated Press, the state agency indicated
there were no job postings or written skill requirements for the high-paying
positions awarded to the young Republicans.
McKillip, the
chief policy adviser to DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos, is paid an annual salary of
$87,500. Diaz makes $85,000 a year as the communications director for the
massive state agency, which has about 10,000 employees and an annual budget of
more than $18 billion.
Read more here:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/28/3143909/jobs-for-highly-paid-mccrory-staffers.html#storylink=cpy
How is this different than how Haley governs?
Isn’t she a Republican?
This didn’t appear to be the same person as last season. Maybe it was his doppelganger, who did not take practice seriously enough to get in shape, nah, that couldn’t be it.
NC did what they had to do. Run away, far, far away. It’s the prudent thing to do. There will be a lot of that this season so there may not be as many opportunities to shine. He’ll have to chase them down, a lot.
Now that the first game is over, maybe he’ll get in shape.
Cush…..explain again how the UNC QB”owned” clowney? The heels got their asses kicked. He didn’t “own” anyone or anything in that sad performance.
No kidding. His presence was felt and practically gamed against for the last 8 months.
I didn’t say shit about Renner. He sucks anyway. He couldn’t score on a free hooker. Over threw his targets by 5 yards half the time. Anyway, I said JAMES HURST owned Clowney. James Hurst is an offensive tackle, you dumbshit.
Clowney was a non-decision in this game after being hyped the entire off-season as the next coming of football Jesus. Hurst is a solid OT that will have a good career in the NFL. Taylor Lewan, another strong tackle, held Clowney in check during the bowl game. I’m just saying Clowney isn’t living up to the hype. He didn’t work hard enough in the off-season and it showed last night. Look for Xzavier Ward to hold him in check in week 2.
“next coming of football Jesus”, that’s good.
Jeffy01…..Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level & then beat you with experience.
Show me where the fuck I said “UNC QB”owned” clowney” you mongoloid.
Why don’t you 2 fags go get a room at the Whitney?
Not a very Heisman performance by Do Do Clowney, I herd!!
Word is it’s been tracked back to a bad potato at Ruth’s Chris.
it’s always a “stomach bug” when someone has what is considered a sub-par performance. Jabberidonkey or whatever his name is, is a great player. Give him some time.
But, win a championship first, and we’ll talk.
give him some time?? really?!?
Clowney in 2012 was voted as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the SEC coaches…he was voted the #1 defensive player in the country last year by USA Today…he was a first-team All-American…he was the Hendricks Award winner as the nation’s outstanding defensive end, becoming the first sophomore to ever win the award…he finished 6th in the Heisman voting as a sophmore defensive player.
yeah he’s not great already (that’s sarcasm by the way since it appears you are completely eat up with the dumb arse)
hey you stupid dipshit, i said he was a great player. read it before you open your pie hole. and if he’s so fucking great as you pointed out, then why the fuck doesn’t he just quit now and go pro? That’s because he’s got Jay XYZ or whatever the fuck that parasite calls himself so far up hsi ass you can taste the afro sheen. “they’ think there’s gonna be more money for them at the end of the rainbow. more power to them. just hopeeverything goes exactly as planned. take jadibberdonkey’s cock out of your face long enough to see the idiocy of your remarks.
win a shampionoship and then we’ll talk.
Oh my god people, he’s not making millions of dollars in the NFL. ESPN hyped him up, he did not. Give the guy a break. Hes playing college football. He doesn’t need to impress u guys, just the NFL recruiters
anyone who is not impressed by Clowney has zero football knowledge and/or are just hater taters.
regardless of his subpar performance last night, there’s a very good reason that he was the #1 recruit out of high school & why he is also a lock to be the #1 player in this year’s draft.
oh & he also would have been the 1st player taken in this past year’s draft had he been eligible.
Yep ur correct. Gamecock fans think u can do better, go see steve. I can’t stand fans like that. Those players are damned if they do damed if they don’t.
Yeah, yeah, yeah… they said nearly the same thing with 4th round drafted Lattimore. It’s all hype until money gets involved.
Can anyone provide a link to the story and/or video where Jadeveon allegedly said that he wanted to take money from UNC’s Hurst?
Somehow I must have missed this story & cannot locate it anywhere either.
Jim and I had a great time,especially during the lightning delay,but he says I need to spend more time watching the game than in the restroom…
that thug is a complete busted. i knew it all year when peoples hiping him up over a few lucky plays. he dont do shit against the good teams and is a royd using thug filling station robber. watch a real team tomorow night PUNK!
Stomach virus? Give me a break! How about he was not conditioned? Did not work out as much as the other players. He better get it together. All the hype has too much. Needs to stay away from the media and stay in the gym.
Clowney needs to take notes from the book of Lattimore. Humble yourself, shut up, and let your playing speak for itself. You just put a target on yourself when you become a media ho.
Stomach virus? How many times have I heard that said of anyone who hasn’t performed to his full potential? Say, what is being served these guys at the Roundhouse? Perhaps DHEC should come in and reinspect the kitchen?
It’s was 110 degrees on the field. Way too hot for these guys to preform at their top. August in Columbia guys. He’ll get nasty soon.