Clemson has looked sluggish in first 2 weeks

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson has not looked like Clemson so far this season.

The fifth-ranked Tigers have been an up-tempo, points-a-plenty marvel since 2011, averaging at least 410 yards and 31 points per game. Through two contests this year, Clemson has barely broken that level and instead looks like the most mistake-prone 2-0 team in the country.

The latest example came Saturday in Clemson’s 30-24 victory against Troy. It was the second win by less than a touchdown for a team that, led by All-America quarterback Deshaun Watson, was supposed to obliterate most opponents.

Clemson slid three spots Sunday in the latest Top 25.

“The biggest disappointment was offense,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We had 414 yards of offense and I don’t know that we could play worse.”

Clemson’s supposedly sure-handed receivers like Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow and Artavis Scott all had uncharacteristic drops against the Trojans. Watson passed for three touchdowns and 292 yards but had two interceptions and completed barely half of his passes (27 of 53).

Wayne Gallman, last year’s 1,500-yard rusher, ended with just 34 against Troy.

Clemson’s offensive leaders contend the early season sloppiness is just that, easily correctible.

“We know what we have in that room and for whatever reason, we’re just not on the right page right now,” said Jeff Scott, who shares Clemson’s offensive coordinator title with Tony Elliott.

Officials who botched end of Oklahoma State game banned

The eight-man officiating crew that botched the end of the Central Michigan-Oklahoma State game has been suspended for two games, the Mid-American Conference announced.

The Big 12 also announced the two-person video replay crew that worked the game also has been suspended for two games. In addition, the replay crew will be prohibited from working postseason games this season.

Officials mistakenly gave Central Michigan (2-0) an untimed final play from midfield after Oklahoma State (1-1) was penalized for intentional grounding trying to run off the last four seconds of the game with a three-point lead.

On that play, the Chippewas scored a touchdown on a long pass and lateral to win 30-27.