Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables talks with Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson’s defense has shown a few chinks in its armor of late, so defensive coordinator Brent Venables challenged his unit this week by suggesting that perhaps their first seven games were “smoke and mirrors.”
“They didn’t like that,” Venables said. “It was a very quiet room. When I said that, there were a lot of guys starting to get a little PO’d. They had an edge to them.”
Venables is hopeful that he created enough of an edge to carry the Tigers through the remainder of what so far is a perfect (10-0) season. Clemson, ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for a third consecutive week, has won 13 consecutive games.
But while the Clemson offense has been clicking on all cylinders in recent weeks, the Tigers’ defense has shown some susceptibility, particularly against the run. Through the first seven games, Clemson allowed only 105.4 rushing yards per game; in its three most recent games — against North Carolina State, Florida State and Syracuse — the Tigers have yielded 191.3 rushing yards per game.
Clemson continues to rank among the national leaders in many defensive categories, but Venables doesn’t want that to lead to rationalization.
“If I start making excuses and trying to justify failure, they’re going to buy into that,” Venables said. “When you let people have a little bit of success running the ball and you’re just not used to that, guys can start to panic.”
Just two regular-season games remain — a home game against Wake Forest followed by a trip to rival South Carolina — and Venables is optimistic that the Tigers can close out the season with a strong effort in games in which they will be heavy favorites.
But he also hasn’t forgotten last week’s win at Syracuse, when the Orange gouged Clemson’s defense for a season-high 242 yards on the ground.
“I’d feel miserable if guys were just getting blown off the ball or didn’t have the skill to matchup with people or our linebackers were soft,” Venables said. “But that’s not the case.
“That’s the hardest part about navigating a season — the challenge is to keep them on edge and hungry and focused. We played very well for a good part of that (Syracuse) game, then five, six, seven plays were pathetic; that’s the game of football. But we’re capable of playing better and coaching better, and we need to going forward.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–TE Jordan Leggett has emerged as one of the team’s most reliable receiving threats, and he presents tough matchups for opposing defenses due to his size and speed. Leggett, who this week was named one of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award, is the third-leading receiver on the team with 26 receptions and has a team-high six touchdown catches. Wake Forest’s pass defense is solid, but Leggett may be able to find some space underneath.
–RB Zac Brooks could possibly get the start against Wake Forest in place of sophomore Wayne Gallman, who is questionable with a foot injury suffered last week at Syracuse. Brooks is a senior who has been productive in limited playing time this season, averaging 7.0 yards per rush and scoring five touchdowns. He may get the nod with the game being on Senior Day; besides, coaches need Gallman healthy for a trip to South Carolina as well as the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 5.
–WR Artavis Scott had a big day last season against Wake Forest, with eight catches for 122 yards and two scores. He could be poised for another breakout performance this time around; he’s coming off a career-high 12-catch day at Syracuse last week, and he has proven more than capable of making plays in confined space. If QB Deshaun Watson continues to get his roommate the ball quickly, Scott will make the defense pay.
