Will Shipley has somehow only been at Clemson for three years even though it seems like forever. The 5-foot-11 junior running back was very upset during the Gator Bowl
Shipley, who totaled more than 1,000 yards of total offense for the Tigers in 2023, is arguably the second-best ball-carrier on the team. Phil Mafah has had something of a coming out party this year, though they serve two different purposes.
The latter is more of the bruiser back, which is why he was the touchdown vulture on Friday afternoon in Jacksonville. Shipley is much quicker and shiftier in space, even though he too runs hard.
Clemson faced a 2nd-and-goal scenario with just seconds remaining in the third quarter. Dabo Swinney and his team was down by 11.
Either he or offensive coordinator Garrett Riley decided to go with the more dynamic back and ran the ball instead of trying to throw for six. It proved to be the right decision and Shipley scored.
Or did he? The officiating crew ruled him down at the one-yard-line. Upon further review, which the game did not do, Shipley might not have made contact with the ground before crossing the goal line and rolled over the defenders for six.
He was irate with the call.
All of the nearby officials got an earful from the running back as he stood to his feet. Frustration was so high that Shipley pushed one of his teammates aside when he made an effort to console him.
Tantrum might be an overstatement. There was no further escalation. Shipley calmed down.
However, he had every right to be upset. Why did his two touchdowns get vultured?!
Fortunately, the Tigers scored anyway on the very next play. No harm, no foul!
Unfortunately, Shipley was carted off with a lower body injury during the fourth quarter.