Clemson Players Talk After Auburn

ATLANTA (WOLO) — Clemson center Dalton Freeman, running back D.J. Howard, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins talk after the Tigers’ 26-19 win over Auburn in the season opener at the Georgia Dome. Click above to watch. Clemson Player Notes: Courtesy Clemson SID *Clemson freshman Daniel Rodriguez played on the kickoff coverage teams for the Tigers in the first half. Rodriguez had received national attention as a US Army vet who desired to play college football after he returned from serving his country. He earned a Purple Heart in the war in Afghanistan. This was the first career action for the 24-year old since the 2005 football high school season. *Andre Ellington rushed for a career high 231 yards this evening. His previous high was 212 at Maryland last year. He now has three consecutive games with at least 100 yards on the ground. He had 20-125 against Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game last year, then had 10-116 against West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Ellington now has 10 career 100-yard rushing games, more than any other active ACC player. *Ellington‘s 231 yards rushing rank as the fifth most in a single game in Clemson history and is the most since C.J. Spiller had 233 in the ACC Championship game of 2009 against Georgia Tech. Ellington‘s 231 rushing yards are the most by a Clemson player in a season opener. The previous mark was 204 by Buck George against Presbyterian in 1952. Ellington‘s performance tonight was the most by a Clemson running back against an SEC team. *Tajh Boyd had a career high 58 yards rushing on 19 attempts this evening. He actually went 88 yards forward and lost 30 yards on four sacks, all in the first half. His previous high was just 37 yards against Boston College and Maryland last year. *DeAndre Hopkins had a school record 13 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown tonight. The previous record for receptions was 12 by Airese Currie against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 13, 2003. His position coach for that game was Dabo Swinney. *Chandler Catanzaro was a perfect 4-4 on field goals this evening. He made each of his last eight field goals last year, so he is now a perfect 12-12 over a span of six games. The Clemson record for consecutive made field goals is 14 in a row by Obed Ariri in 1980.