MONDAY CLEMSON FOOTBALL NUGGETS
By: Larry Williams
(From today's availability)
CADE KLUBNIK
-- Cade opened his press conference today by apologizing for not going before the media after the NC State game. He said he wanted to be there for his teammates in the locker room.
-- Said there's added juice with Notre Dame visiting, and with getting to be back in Death Valley.
There's a huge amount of motivation from what the Irish did to Clemson last year.
"If this team isn’t motivated, we’re crazy. Obviously we’re motivated and ready for whatever comes into Death Valley. We’re excited."
-- Proud of the way we finished at N.C. State, but wish we’d have had higher intensity in the first half.
"You'd like to not be down 17 points for our intensity to really get hot."
-- More on the slow starts:
Said he'd love for the goal to be scoring a touchdown on the first drive of the game and the first drive of the second half. The only time that's happened this year is vs. Charleston Southern.
"Not that you need to change anything. But just set the tone early in the game."
They were close to doing that but Beaux Collins' holding penalty brought back a big catch-and-run by Troy Stellato.
"Troy was going to go a long way. We've got to find a way to get points early to get the tone set."
-- Said he and Dabo talked after the game.
"What he’s done for a long time now is win. For a long time that’s all I’ve done is just win. We kind of spoke on that. We’re not used to losing. He said we’re still never going to get used to it. People who love to win will never get used to losing. It hits you as hard as it did the first time. I’ll never be numb to a loss.
Said the team is learning how to handle that as a group.
"I’m not going anywhere. I’m sticking to this place. I trust everybody here and Coach Swinney. Early in his career he had some ups and downs and look at what he did after that."
Super meaningful that he’s had my back. It's been a crazy year. So many just wild plays where it’s just a few plays.
-- I don’t think I’d be as good a leader if we were 8-0. This could be the best thing for me and the players on this team.
I've been leaning on scriptures more than anything, going through these trials.
This game is never going to bring my joy up or down. I'll always have a smile on my face in this building.
I don’t need to be pointing fingers or putting guys down. I'm just continually encouraging guys. Just be there for them and be a leader. Be excited for this week.
-- I asked him about the need for more explosive plays. He said first downs are the name of the game. It's about moving the chains. In high-schooler you want to have plays of 60 or 70 yards, but in college it's a lot more challenging and you have to manage the game and try to get first downs.
-- I asked him if they need to be better on first down, and what the diagnosis is for those struggles. Said he didn't want to comment and it's not a huge thing they're focused on.
TRISTAN LEIGH
-- Thomas Austin told him last Monday he was starting at right guard.
He'd never played guard at all, even in high school.
"I was excited. I think it's cool."
Said he doesn't know if the move will stick.
"I know I can play that position. Ready to do whatever team needs me to do."
He also has never played on the right side.
"It was tough at first. Footwork is so much tighter. Everything happens faster. Had to adjust to that. There's some good because you get more help in pass pro.
At first I was like, wow, this feels awkward. But as week went on I got more comfortable.
-- Said 4-4 is "devastating."
The guys before us set the standard.
-- On the run game: Got to be better.
But the other teams practice and scheme too. Can’t take credit from other teams.
Think we just need to focus on everybody doing their part to the best of their ability and the results will come.
KHALIL BARNES
-- Barnes already had a heavier load entering the NC State game with RJ Mickens out. Then Jalyn Phillips went down early in the game and Barnes had to move to free safety.
Barnes started and played 48 snaps. Sherrod Covil played a season-high 25.
We have a lot of moving parts. A lot of guys that can play different positions.
-- On the difference between free and strong:
Strong is more the wide side, going toward the speed.
Free is on the boundary and a lot more thinking. Phillips plays the hardest position of our secondary. You have to diagnose the fronts and it's more run fits.
-- What's it like to give up 200 yards and nine first downs and walk off the field a loser?
It’s a complementary game. There are times when offense scored we had a chance to get three-and-outs. It’s tough for sure. We want to win just as bad as anybody. This is like a year-long job. People don’t do this to not get the result we want.
Coach Swinney says you can’t wish for a better yesterday. Just got to keep going.
He has most of his social media muted. Twitter is gone.
Instagram is muted. Talks to friends on snapchat some. And text my parents.
-- On Notre Dame:
Last year they were more physically dominating.
This year they're physically dominating but they also have weapons in the passing game and a QB they trust.
"Really hard to make them one dimensional this year."
DEMONTE CAPEHART
-- Capehart has played 106 snaps this season, including 13 against N.C. State.
He said he's just been building trust with the coaches and showing up every day ready to work.
-- Nick Eason means everything to me. He knows the game, coaches hard. I love being coached hard. He’s literally a generational coach.
-- Eason has been instrumental in helping him understand and diagnose backrield sets.
-- He said all the talent in the DT room didn't really intimidate him entering the season.
"I’m going to get better regardless because this room is full of great talent."
-- On playing a lot of winning football this season and sitting here at 4-4:
"We’re a team. We pick each other up when we're down. We’re going to stay together and ride or die together. That’s what we do."
TRE' WILLIAMS
-- Dabo told him at the start of the year the plan was to redshirt him, "but if we need you we need you."
He was told Monday morning he was on the travel roster.
"I was excited. You never want to be away from the sport you love.
You spend the whole year training for it."
-- Had major surgery on his left shoulder in March. It was the third surgery to that shoulder. Been rehabbing ever since.
"I feel like I'm ready to go. I've really bought into the weight room and have been practicing every day.
-- Plan is still to redshirt him. He has to sit one game from here.
Still has two years after this season.
BIG SALE on officially-licensed Clemson apparel & gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
By: Larry Williams
(From today's availability)
CADE KLUBNIK
-- Cade opened his press conference today by apologizing for not going before the media after the NC State game. He said he wanted to be there for his teammates in the locker room.
-- Said there's added juice with Notre Dame visiting, and with getting to be back in Death Valley.
There's a huge amount of motivation from what the Irish did to Clemson last year.
"If this team isn’t motivated, we’re crazy. Obviously we’re motivated and ready for whatever comes into Death Valley. We’re excited."
-- Proud of the way we finished at N.C. State, but wish we’d have had higher intensity in the first half.
"You'd like to not be down 17 points for our intensity to really get hot."
-- More on the slow starts:
Said he'd love for the goal to be scoring a touchdown on the first drive of the game and the first drive of the second half. The only time that's happened this year is vs. Charleston Southern.
"Not that you need to change anything. But just set the tone early in the game."
They were close to doing that but Beaux Collins' holding penalty brought back a big catch-and-run by Troy Stellato.
"Troy was going to go a long way. We've got to find a way to get points early to get the tone set."
-- Said he and Dabo talked after the game.
"What he’s done for a long time now is win. For a long time that’s all I’ve done is just win. We kind of spoke on that. We’re not used to losing. He said we’re still never going to get used to it. People who love to win will never get used to losing. It hits you as hard as it did the first time. I’ll never be numb to a loss.
Said the team is learning how to handle that as a group.
"I’m not going anywhere. I’m sticking to this place. I trust everybody here and Coach Swinney. Early in his career he had some ups and downs and look at what he did after that."
Super meaningful that he’s had my back. It's been a crazy year. So many just wild plays where it’s just a few plays.
-- I don’t think I’d be as good a leader if we were 8-0. This could be the best thing for me and the players on this team.
I've been leaning on scriptures more than anything, going through these trials.
This game is never going to bring my joy up or down. I'll always have a smile on my face in this building.
I don’t need to be pointing fingers or putting guys down. I'm just continually encouraging guys. Just be there for them and be a leader. Be excited for this week.
-- I asked him about the need for more explosive plays. He said first downs are the name of the game. It's about moving the chains. In high-schooler you want to have plays of 60 or 70 yards, but in college it's a lot more challenging and you have to manage the game and try to get first downs.
-- I asked him if they need to be better on first down, and what the diagnosis is for those struggles. Said he didn't want to comment and it's not a huge thing they're focused on.
TRISTAN LEIGH
-- Thomas Austin told him last Monday he was starting at right guard.
He'd never played guard at all, even in high school.
"I was excited. I think it's cool."
Said he doesn't know if the move will stick.
"I know I can play that position. Ready to do whatever team needs me to do."
He also has never played on the right side.
"It was tough at first. Footwork is so much tighter. Everything happens faster. Had to adjust to that. There's some good because you get more help in pass pro.
At first I was like, wow, this feels awkward. But as week went on I got more comfortable.
-- Said 4-4 is "devastating."
The guys before us set the standard.
-- On the run game: Got to be better.
But the other teams practice and scheme too. Can’t take credit from other teams.
Think we just need to focus on everybody doing their part to the best of their ability and the results will come.
KHALIL BARNES
-- Barnes already had a heavier load entering the NC State game with RJ Mickens out. Then Jalyn Phillips went down early in the game and Barnes had to move to free safety.
Barnes started and played 48 snaps. Sherrod Covil played a season-high 25.
We have a lot of moving parts. A lot of guys that can play different positions.
-- On the difference between free and strong:
Strong is more the wide side, going toward the speed.
Free is on the boundary and a lot more thinking. Phillips plays the hardest position of our secondary. You have to diagnose the fronts and it's more run fits.
-- What's it like to give up 200 yards and nine first downs and walk off the field a loser?
It’s a complementary game. There are times when offense scored we had a chance to get three-and-outs. It’s tough for sure. We want to win just as bad as anybody. This is like a year-long job. People don’t do this to not get the result we want.
Coach Swinney says you can’t wish for a better yesterday. Just got to keep going.
He has most of his social media muted. Twitter is gone.
Instagram is muted. Talks to friends on snapchat some. And text my parents.
-- On Notre Dame:
Last year they were more physically dominating.
This year they're physically dominating but they also have weapons in the passing game and a QB they trust.
"Really hard to make them one dimensional this year."
DEMONTE CAPEHART
-- Capehart has played 106 snaps this season, including 13 against N.C. State.
He said he's just been building trust with the coaches and showing up every day ready to work.
-- Nick Eason means everything to me. He knows the game, coaches hard. I love being coached hard. He’s literally a generational coach.
-- Eason has been instrumental in helping him understand and diagnose backrield sets.
-- He said all the talent in the DT room didn't really intimidate him entering the season.
"I’m going to get better regardless because this room is full of great talent."
-- On playing a lot of winning football this season and sitting here at 4-4:
"We’re a team. We pick each other up when we're down. We’re going to stay together and ride or die together. That’s what we do."
TRE' WILLIAMS
-- Dabo told him at the start of the year the plan was to redshirt him, "but if we need you we need you."
He was told Monday morning he was on the travel roster.
"I was excited. You never want to be away from the sport you love.
You spend the whole year training for it."
-- Had major surgery on his left shoulder in March. It was the third surgery to that shoulder. Been rehabbing ever since.
"I feel like I'm ready to go. I've really bought into the weight room and have been practicing every day.
-- Plan is still to redshirt him. He has to sit one game from here.
Still has two years after this season.
BIG SALE on officially-licensed Clemson apparel & gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
