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Alabama vs. Clemson

Saturday, August 30, 2008

No. 24 Alabama beat No. 9 Clemson 34–⁠10. It was their 14th meeting; after it, Alabama led the series 12–⁠2.

Neutral site24Alabama12–⁠2 in 2008
34
Neutral site9Clemson7–⁠6 in 2008
10

Final at Georgia Dome, AtlantaTV: ABCAttendance 70,097College GameDay broadcast from here, August 30, 2008 (Wikipedia)

At kickoff
86°F, clear, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Fulton Co-Brown Field Airport (KFTY), 12 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Alabama13108334
Clemson037010

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Alabama

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
John Parker Wilson22/3018020
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Mark Ingram1796028
Glen Coffee1790018
Roy Upchurch83707
John Parker Wilson419115
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Nick Walker767121
Mike McCoy233024
Roy Upchurch430011
Julio Jones42819
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Marquis Johnson170

Clemson

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Cullen Harper20/3418801
RushingCarYdsTDLong
James Davis61306
C.J. Spiller2708
Jacoby Ford1505
Tyler Grisham1303
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Jacoby Ford253047
Tyler Grisham642012
Aaron Kelly528015
C.J. Spiller227019

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

AlabamaClemson
419Total yards188
180Passing yards216
239Rushing yards0
6.0Yards per pass5.5
4.8Yards per rush0.0
25First downs11
11–⁠17Third downs1–⁠9
0–⁠0Fourth downs1–⁠2
0Turnovers2
6–⁠40Penalties6–⁠43
25:00Possession11:20

Efficiency

AlabamaClemson
54%Success rate37%
0.14EPA per play−0.05
0.58Explosiveness0.80
0.11Rushing EPA−0.24
0.25Passing EPA0.00
43%Passing-down success20%
−0.03First-down EPA−0.09
0.02Second-down EPA−0.05
0.76Third-down EPA0.04

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Clemson 61% to win. Alabama pulled the upset.

Every drive

Clemson end zoneAlabama end zoneQ1 AlabamaField goal, 10 playsQ1 ClemsonFumble, 2 playsQ1 AlabamaField goal, 6 playsQ1 ClemsonPunt, 3 playsQ1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 7 playsQ1 ClemsonField goal, 8 playsQ2 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 14 playsQ2 ClemsonPunt, 3 playsQ2 AlabamaMissed FG, 4 playsQ2 ClemsonInterception, 7 playsQ2 AlabamaField goal, 8 playsQ3 ClemsonTouchdownQ3 AlabamaPunt, 5 playsQ3 ClemsonPunt, 3 playsQ3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 14 playsQ3 ClemsonPunt, 4 playsQ3 AlabamaPunt, 3 playsQ3 ClemsonTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 AlabamaField goal, 14 playsQ4 ClemsonEnd of game, 11 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Clemson drives left to right, Alabama right to left.
  1. Q1 AlabamaField goal, 10 plays, 27 yards
  2. Q1 ClemsonFumble, 2 plays, 38 yards
  3. Q1 AlabamaField goal, 6 plays, 27 yards
  4. Q1 ClemsonPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  5. Q1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 7 plays, 46 yards
  6. Q1 ClemsonField goal, 8 plays, 56 yards
  7. Q2 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 14 plays, 83 yards
  8. Q2 ClemsonPunt, 3 plays, −12 yards
  9. Q2 AlabamaMissed FG, 4 plays, 4 yards
  10. Q2 ClemsonInterception, 7 plays, 26 yards
  11. Q2 AlabamaField goal, 8 plays, 48 yards
  12. Q3 ClemsonTouchdown, 96 yards
  13. Q3 AlabamaPunt, 5 plays, 24 yards
  14. Q3 ClemsonPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  15. Q3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 14 plays, 67 yards
  16. Q3 ClemsonPunt, 4 plays, 5 yards
  17. Q3 AlabamaPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  18. Q3 ClemsonTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 55 yards
  19. Q4 AlabamaField goal, 14 plays, 78 yards
  20. Q4 ClemsonEnd of game, 11 plays, 38 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Alabama 13, Clemson 0
Alabama Field goal, 10 plays
14:301st & 10 at own 36Glen Coffee rush for 5 yards to the Alab 41.
14:002nd & 5 at own 41Glen Coffee rush for 3 yards to the Alab 44.
13:293rd & 2 at own 44Glen Coffee rush for 3 yards to the Alab 47 for a 1ST down.
13:181st & 10 at own 47Alabama penalty 5 yard false start on Mike Johnson accepted.
12:501st & 15 at own 42Glen Coffee rush for 6 yards to the Alab 48.
12:102nd & 9 at own 48John Parker Wilson pass complete to Julio Jones for 8 yards to the Clem 44.
11:453rd & 1 at opp 44Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Clem 41 for a 1ST down.
11:251st & 10 at opp 41John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
11:252nd & 10 at opp 41Alabama penalty 5 yard delay of game accepted.
10:502nd & 15 at opp 46Mark Ingram rush for 5 yards to the Clem 41.
10:443rd & 10 at opp 41Alabama penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
10:103rd & 15 at opp 46John Parker Wilson pass complete to Glen Coffee for 9 yards to the Clem 37.
9:434th & 6 at opp 37Leigh Tiffin 54 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 3, Clemson 0
9:43Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 61 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for 22 yards to the Clem 31.
Clemson Fumble, 2 plays
9:301st & 10 at own 31Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
9:222nd & 10 at own 31Jamie Cumbie rush for no gain, fumbled, forced by Cory Reamer, recovered by Alab at the Clem 31.
Alabama Field goal, 6 plays
9:001st & 10 at opp 31Glen Coffee rush for 6 yards to the Clem 25.
8:202nd & 4 at opp 25John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 14 yards to the Clem 11 for a 1ST down.
8:001st & 10 at opp 11Glen Coffee rush for 4 yards to the Clem 7.
7:312nd & 6 at opp 7Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Clem 4.
7:063rd & 3 at opp 4John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
7:024th & 3 at opp 4Leigh Tiffin 21 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 6, Clemson 0
7:02Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 63 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for 13 yards to the Clem 20.
Clemson Punt, 3 plays
6:451st & 10 at own 20James Davis rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Clem 19.
5:542nd & 11 at own 19James Davis rush for 2 yards to the Clem 21.
5:273rd & 9 at own 21Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
5:154th & 9 at own 21Dawson Zimmerman punt for 50 yards, returned by Javier Arenas for 20 yards to the Clem 21, Clemson penalty 5 yard illegal formation accepted.
Alabama Touchdown run, 7 plays
4:551st & 10 at opp 46John Parker Wilson pass complete to Mike McCoy for 9 yards to the Clem 37.
4:202nd & 1 at opp 37Mark Ingram rush for 5 yards to the Clem 32 for a 1ST down.
4:151st & 10 at opp 32Mark Ingram rush for 12 yards to the Clem 20 for a 1ST down.
3:451st & 10 at opp 20Mark Ingram rush for 9 yards to the Clem 11.
3:302nd & 1 at opp 11Glen Coffee rush for 6 yards to the Clem 5 for a 1ST down.
3:221st & 0 at opp 5Timeout ALABAMA, clock 03:22.
3:101st & goal at opp 5Glen Coffee rush for 4 yards to the Clem 1.
2:512nd & goal at opp 1John Parker Wilson rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 13, Clemson 0
2:51Leigh Tiffin extra point GOOD.
2:51Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 61 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for 19 yards to the Clem 28.
Clemson Field goal, 8 plays
2:511st & 10 at own 28Clemson penalty 5 yard substitution infraction accepted.
2:301st & 15 at own 23Jacoby Ford rush for 5 yards to the Clem 28.
1:402nd & 10 at own 28Cullen Harper pass complete to Jacoby Ford for 47 yards to the Alab 25 for a 1ST down.
1:281st & 10 at opp 25Tyler Grisham rush for 3 yards to the Alab 22.
0:562nd & 7 at opp 22C.J. Spiller rush for 8 yards to the Alab 14 for a 1ST down.
0:281st & 10 at opp 14C.J. Spiller rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Alab 15.
0:022nd & 11 at opp 15Cullen Harper sacked by Brandon Deaderick for a loss of 11 yards to the Alab 26.
Q2 14:173rd & 22 at opp 26Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 10 yards to the Alab 16.
Q2 14:174th & 12 at opp 16Mark Buchholz 33 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 13, Clemson 3
Q2 14:17Mark Buchholz kickoff for 61 yards returned by Javier Arenas for 8 yards to the Alab 17.
2nd quarter5 drives, then Alabama 23, Clemson 3
Alabama Touchdown pass, 14 plays
14:001st & 10 at own 17John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 6 yards to the Alab 23.
13:132nd & 4 at own 23Mark Ingram rush for 1 yard to the Alab 24.
12:403rd & 3 at own 24John Parker Wilson pass complete to Travis McCall for 8 yards to the Alab 32 for a 1ST down.
12:001st & 10 at own 32John Parker Wilson rush for no gain to the Alab 32.
11:202nd & 10 at own 32Glen Coffee rush for 4 yards to the Alab 36.
10:503rd & 6 at own 36Clemson penalty 3 yard pass interference on DeAndre McDaniel accepted, no play.
10:451st & 10 at own 39Clemson penalty 6 yard pass interference on Chris Chancellor accepted, no play.
10:391st & 10 at own 45Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Alab 48.
9:302nd & 7 at own 48Mark Ingram rush for 5 yards to the Clem 47.
9:003rd & 2 at opp 47John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 21 yards to the Clem 26 for a 1ST down.
8:451st & 10 at opp 26Mark Ingram rush for 8 yards to the Clem 18.
8:302nd & 2 at opp 18Mark Ingram rush for 4 yards to the Clem 14 for a 1ST down.
8:001st & 10 at opp 14Glen Coffee rush for 2 yards to the Clem 12.
7:102nd & 8 at opp 12John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 5 yards to the Clem 7.
6:323rd & 3 at opp 7John Parker Wilson rush for 3 yards to the Clem 4 for a 1ST down.
6:011st & goal at opp 4John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 4 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 20, Clemson 3
6:01Leigh Tiffin extra point GOOD.
6:01Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 66 yards returned by Jacoby Ford for 22 yards to the Clem 26.
Clemson Punt, 3 plays
5:001st & 10 at own 26James Davis rush for 3 yards to the Clem 26, Clemson penalty 15 yard personal foul accepted.
5:302nd & 22 at own 14Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
3:513rd & 22 at own 14Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
Alabama Missed FG, 4 plays
5:001st & 10 at opp 39Glen Coffee rush for 1 yard to the Clem 38.
4:502nd & 9 at opp 38John Parker Wilson pass complete to Jerrell Harris for 3 yards to the Clem 35.
3:513rd & 6 at opp 35John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
Clemson Interception, 7 plays
3:331st & 10 at own 35Cullen Harper pass complete to Jacoby Ford for 7 yards to the Clem 42.
3:102nd & 3 at own 42Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
3:003rd & 3 at own 42Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 6 yards to the Clem 48 for a 1ST down.
2:401st & 10 at own 48Cullen Harper pass complete to Aaron Kelly for 5 yards to the Alab 47.
2:002nd & 5 at opp 47Cullen Harper pass complete to Aaron Kelly for 8 yards to the Alab 39 for a 1ST down.
1:481st & 10 at opp 39Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
1:392nd & 10 at opp 39Cullen Harper pass intercepted by Marquis Johnson at the Alab 28, returned for 7 yards to the Alab 35.
Alabama Field goal, 8 plays
1:201st & 10 at own 35Roy Upchurch rush for 6 yards to the Alab 41.
1:002nd & 4 at own 41John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 5 yards to the Alab 46 for a 1ST down.
0:401st & 10 at own 46John Parker Wilson pass complete to Roy Upchurch for 7 yards to the Clem 47.
0:322nd & 3 at opp 47John Parker Wilson rush for 15 yards to the Clem 32 for a 1ST down.
0:221st & 10 at opp 32John Parker Wilson pass complete to Roy Upchurch for 9 yards to the Clem 23.
0:222nd & 1 at opp 23Timeout ALABAMA, clock 00:22.
0:152nd & 1 at opp 23John Parker Wilson pass complete to Roy Upchurch for 11 yards to the Clem 12 for a 1ST down.
0:071st & 10 at opp 12Alabama penalty 5 yard ineligible downfield on pass accepted, no play.
0:031st & 15 at opp 17John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
0:012nd & 15 at opp 17Leigh Tiffin 34 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 23, Clemson 3
Q3 14:48Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 66 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for 96 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 23, Clemson 10
Q3 14:48Mark Buchholz extra point GOOD.
Q3 14:48Mark Buchholz kickoff for 65 yards returned by Julio Jones for 21 yards to the Alab 26.
3rd quarter6 drives, then Alabama 31, Clemson 10
Alabama Punt, 5 plays
13:581st & 10 at own 26Glen Coffee rush for 2 yards to the Alab 28.
13:572nd & 8 at own 28Glen Coffee rush for 18 yards to the Alab 46 for a 1ST down.
13:201st & 10 at own 46Glen Coffee rush for 4 yards to the 50 yard line.
12:492nd & 6 at the 50John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
12:423rd & 6 at the 50John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
12:324th & 6 at the 50P.J. Fitzgerald punt for 33 yards, returned by C.J. Spiller for 9 yards to the Clem 26.
Clemson Punt, 3 plays
12:001st & 10 at own 26James Davis rush for 2 yards to the Clem 28.
11:492nd & 8 at own 28Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
11:413rd & 8 at own 28Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 3 yards to the Clem 31.
11:004th & 5 at own 31Dawson Zimmerman punt for 37 yards, returned by Javier Arenas for 1 yard to the Alab 33.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 14 plays
10:301st & 10 at own 33John Parker Wilson pass complete to B.J. Scott for no gain to the Alab 33.
10:002nd & 10 at own 33Glen Coffee rush for 5 yards to the Alab 38.
9:263rd & 5 at own 38John Parker Wilson pass complete to Julio Jones for 9 yards to the Alab 47 for a 1ST down.
9:261st & 10 at own 47Timeout CLEMSON, clock 09:26.
8:501st & 10 at own 47Glen Coffee rush for 9 yards to the Clem 44.
8:432nd & 1 at opp 44Glen Coffee rush for 5 yards to the Clem 39 for a 1ST down.
8:221st & 10 at opp 39John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
8:152nd & 10 at opp 39Glen Coffee rush for 4 yards to the Clem 35.
8:003rd & 6 at opp 35John Parker Wilson pass complete to Nick Walker for 12 yards to the Clem 23 for a 1ST down.
6:301st & 10 at opp 23Mark Ingram rush for 5 yards to the Clem 18.
6:042nd & 5 at opp 18Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Clem 15.
5:283rd & 2 at opp 15John Parker Wilson pass complete to Mark Ingram for 4 yards to the Clem 11 for a 1ST down.
5:101st & 10 at opp 11Mark Ingram rush for no gain to the Clem 11.
4:332nd & 10 at opp 11John Parker Wilson pass complete to Julio Jones for 7 yards to the Clem 4.
4:083rd & 3 at opp 4John Parker Wilson pass complete to Julio Jones for 4 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 31, Clemson 10
4:08Two-point conversion attempt, Mark Ingram rush GOOD.
4:08Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 50 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for no gain to the Clem 25.
Clemson Punt, 4 plays
3:551st & 10 at own 25Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 12 yards to the Clem 37 for a 1ST down.
3:291st & 10 at own 37Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
3:102nd & 10 at own 37James Davis rush for 2 yards to the Clem 39.
2:453rd & 8 at own 39Cullen Harper sacked by Chavis Williams for a loss of 9 yards to the Clem 30.
1:514th & 17 at own 30Dawson Zimmerman punt for 47 yards, fair catch by Javier Arenas at the Alab 23.
Alabama Punt, 3 plays
1:301st & 10 at own 23Mark Ingram rush for 4 yards to the Alab 27.
1:042nd & 6 at own 27John Parker Wilson pass incomplete.
0:403rd & 6 at own 27John Parker Wilson pass complete to Mark Ingram for no gain to the Alab 27.
0:104th & 6 at own 27P.J. Fitzgerald punt for 41 yards, fair catch by C.J. Spiller at the Clem 32.
Clemson Turnover on downs, 8 plays
0:101st & 10 at own 32Cullen Harper pass complete to James Davis for 11 yards to the Clem 32, Clemson penalty 10 yard illegal block accepted.
0:001st & 9 at own 33Alabama penalty 15 yard pass interference accepted, no play.
0:001st & 10 at own 48Cullen Harper pass complete to C.J. Spiller for 14 yards to the Alab 38 for a 1ST down.
Q4 14:551st & 10 at opp 33Cullen Harper pass complete to Terrance Ashe for 6 yards to the Alab 27.
Q4 14:292nd & 4 at opp 27James Davis rush for 6 yards to the Alab 21 for a 1ST down.
Q4 13:451st & 10 at opp 21Cullen Harper pass complete to Aaron Kelly for a loss of 3 yards to the Alab 24.
Q4 13:102nd & 13 at opp 24Cullen Harper pass complete to Aaron Kelly for 3 yards to the Alab 21.
Q4 12:403rd & 10 at opp 21Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
Q4 12:334th & 10 at opp 21Cullen Harper pass complete to Durrell Barry for 8 yards to the Alab 13.
4th quarter2 drives, then Alabama 34, Clemson 10
Alabama Field goal, 14 plays
11:411st & 10 at own 13Roy Upchurch rush for 3 yards to the Alab 16.
11:412nd & 7 at own 16Mark Ingram rush for 28 yards to the Alab 44 for a 1ST down.
11:111st & 10 at own 44Roy Upchurch rush for 6 yards to the 50 yard line.
9:492nd & 4 at the 50Roy Upchurch rush for 3 yards to the Clem 47.
9:363rd & 1 at opp 47Roy Upchurch rush for 2 yards to the Clem 45 for a 1ST down.
9:001st & 10 at opp 45Mark Ingram rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Clem 46.
8:452nd & 11 at opp 46Terry Grant rush for 2 yards to the Clem 44.
8:303rd & 9 at opp 44John Parker Wilson pass complete to Mike McCoy for 24 yards to the Clem 20 for a 1ST down.
6:451st & 10 at opp 20Roy Upchurch rush for 7 yards to the Clem 13.
6:212nd & 3 at opp 13Roy Upchurch rush for 7 yards to the Clem 6 for a 1ST down.
5:441st & goal at opp 6Terry Grant rush for 1 yard to the Clem 5.
5:002nd & goal at opp 5Terry Grant rush for a loss of 7 yards to the Clem 12.
4:003rd & goal at opp 12Roy Upchurch rush for 3 yards to the Clem 9.
3:394th & goal at opp 9Leigh Tiffin 26 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 34, Clemson 10
3:33Leigh Tiffin kickoff for 59 yards returned by C.J. Spiller for 15 yards to the Clem 26.
Clemson End of game, 11 plays
3:001st & 10 at own 26Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 5 yards to the Clem 31.
2:482nd & 5 at own 31Cullen Harper pass complete to C.J. Spiller for 7 yards to the Clem 38 for a 1ST down.
2:171st & 10 at own 38Cullen Harper pass complete to Terrance Ashe for 8 yards to the Clem 46.
1:462nd & 2 at own 46Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
1:413rd & 2 at own 46Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
1:334th & 2 at own 46Cullen Harper pass complete to Tyler Grisham for 6 yards to the Alab 48 for a 1ST down.
1:161st & 10 at opp 48Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
1:092nd & 10 at opp 48Cullen Harper pass complete to Aaron Kelly for 15 yards to the Alab 33 for a 1ST down.
0:401st & 10 at opp 33Cullen Harper sacked by Charlie Higgenbotham for a loss of 8 yards to the Alab 41.
0:272nd & 18 at opp 41Cullen Harper pass incomplete.
0:153rd & 18 at opp 41Cullen Harper pass complete to Terrance Ashe for 5 yards to the Alab 36.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Alabama–Clemson game

Alabama leads 14–⁠4 in 18 meetings, counting the four since this game.

Recent meetings
2018Clemson 44, Alabama 16CFP National Championship
2017Alabama 24, Clemson 6Sugar Bowl, CFP Semifinal
2016Clemson 35, Alabama 31CFP National Championship
2015Alabama 45, Clemson 40CFP National Championship
2008Alabama 34, Clemson 10
1975Alabama 56, Clemson 0

Around this game

Alabama

Clemson

Ranked games that day

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