Wayne Gallman's Explosiveness Gives Needed Balance to Clemson's Offense

On a night that seemed destined for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson to cement his status as a household name on national television, Wayne Gallman stole his spotlight.

In a grind-it-out game in a stadium named for a pizza franchise, the 6'1", 215-pound redshirt sophomore running back delivered.

Gallman continued to stake his claim not only as the Tigers' certain starter but as a budding star in a 20-17 rugged win over the Louisville Cardinals.

He showed power attacking the middle of the line and explosiveness to gain the edge time and time again, and coach Dabo Swinney kept riding him to the tune of 24 carries for 139 hard-fought yards.

If you haven't heard of Gallman before Thursday night, learn the name. He was the biggest reason why the No. 11-ranked Tigers pulled out a victory over Louisville at Papa John's Cardinals Stadium.

He never had a negative run all night. Against coordinator Todd Grantham's defense, that's no small feat. When you toss in the fact that the Tigers have a youthful offensive line that didn't have its best night by any means, it lends even more credence to Gallman's performance.

When he isn't surging to the sideline and upfield, he does things like this:

The Post and Courier's Aaron Brenner had this quote from Swinney:

But Thursday's game wasn't against Appalachian State. It was Louisville on a big stage in a game every college football fan was watching. And he came through with a monster game.

Watson may wind up being a Heisman Trophy candidate this year, but he was shaky Thursday, completing 21 of 30 passes for 199 yards on mostly high-percentage plays. Though he tossed two touchdowns, he also accounted for a pair of interceptions.

There were plenty of times when the sophomore looked rattled against the attacking 3-4 Louisville defense. That's when Swinney leaned on the safety blanket of Gallman.

What the Tigers showed everybody in the nation is that in a game when their star didn't shine, they had plenty of other weapons to help them pull through.

It wasn't a performance worthy of their No. 11 ranking, but with a young, opportunistic, fast defense and Gallman in control, they proved they could win in survival mode.

It's that kind of balance that will prove beneficial once the ACC season gets into full swing and we really find out if the Tigers are a legitimate playoff contender. Even behind a young, beat-up offensive line that had its issues blocking some of the night, Gallman thrived.

A showing like that from his running back was enough to help Swinney do a postgame whip and nae-nae.

Unlike Dabo's dance moves, Gallman's performance was impressive.

The dimension he brings to Clemson's offense not only was vital against Louisville, it will pay major dividends down the road when the Tigers are trying to salt away victories. He also continues to prove he can be a home run threat too.

Everybody should remember Gallman's name, especially when interested outside observers such as senior NFL draft analyst for NFLDraftScout and CBS Sports' Dane Brugler are taking note.

Though the focus wasn't on him to start the night, the lens zoomed in on his ability. That isn't a new thing for Gallman, either. He's used to not being the biggest star on his team.

In high school, Gallman played for powerhouse Grayson in Loganville, Georgia, which just happened to be the home of one of the most hyped recruits in recent history—current Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche.

At one time, Gallman, Nkemdiche and defensive back David Kamara, or "the Grayson Trio," was committed to Swinney before the latter two decommitted and wound up in Oxford. Gallman stuck, and the Tigers are thrilled he did.

Thursday wasn't the first time he starred. There are no bigger stages in the Palmetto State than the showdown with South Carolina, and last year against the Gamecocks, Gallman finished with 191 yards and a score to endear him to the Tigers faithful.

In a crowded backfield this fall, he emerged again.

"I don't think it troubles me," Gallman told The State's Ed McGranahan of the competition this preseason. "It pushes me to get better. I know what I bring to the game. My goal is to be an every-down ballplayer."

There shouldn't be any doubts anymore. CUTigers.com writer Thomas Black tweeted that tonight should end all the talk of anybody else shouldering the load for Clemson.

Gallman has separated himself from all of the other Tigers runners. With his latest performance, he now has 53 carries for 310 yards. The next-highest number of carries for a CU running back is C.J. Davidson's 15, and Zac Brooks has the second-most yards with just 53.

It may be Watson's offense, but Gallman is toting the team on his shoulders.

Though Florida State's Dalvin Cook appears to be a superstar, Gallman may just wind up being the second-best back in the entire league. He has that ability, and the power-speed combo was on full display.

On one particular run, Gallman burst through the hole up the middle, shed a tackle and then balanced himself on the ground before regaining his balance and turning what could have been a short gain into a big first-down run.

Again, he utilized a spin move that freed him up for a 25-yard rumble. He also gritted out the tough yards between the tackles.

He has all the tools, and on a Clemson team full of former star recruits who are just dripping with talent and youth, Gallman was the biggest star on the field.

If he can stay healthy behind that young offensive line, he may just be the difference-maker that helps the Tigers win the ACC.

Brad Shepard covers college football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.