MONDAY CLEMSON FOOTBALL UPDATE
By: Larry Williams
(From today's availability)
CADE KLUBNIK
-- On Spencer Rattler:
Rattler was one of the counselors when Klubnik went to Elite 11 in high school. We built a good relationship there. We hit it off really well.
Haven’t talked since I got to college. Enjoyed meeting him. Good guy and heck of a player.
-- On standing on the sidelines last year vs. SC as the passing game floundered in the second half:
I knew my role. I was at peace about that. A lot of things went into that game, and it's not easy to put that all on one person.
For a team to lose like that, it’s obviously hard. I felt worse for the seniors than anybody.
That's one thing I focused on this past week was I didn't want that feeling for Will Putnam and the rest of the seniors.
-- On what to expect at South Carolina:
Obviously it’s one of the best atmospheres in college football. They’ve got great fans. Excited to get down there. We love playing on the road.
They’ve got a very loyal fan base, and a high-energy kind of stadium. It’ll be a super-cool kind of atmosphere from the start. Road games in college football can be different and much louder than road games in the NFL.
-- On Adam Randall practicing with a club on one of his hands:
You’ve got to really focus to catch the ball when you’ve got what he’s got during the week. But on gameday it’s just normal Adam. I try to keep him safe during the week more than anything. You’ve got to have some dog in you to go out there with what he’s playing with. It’s really hard. Just really proud of him. He hasn’t complained about it one time. I live with him and I literally haven’t heard him complain about it one time.
-- On Nate Wiggins' rundown of Hampton:
That was the best play I've ever seen in my life.
That's insane. He's almost as fast as me. Just kidding.
That's the play of the game, without a doubt.
-- On his decision to run at the end of the first half:
Has to be smart in those situations so they can get points there.
Said Johnny Manziel was his favorite player growing up. The best player in college football history in his opinion.
TRISTAN LEIGH
-- On moving around so much this year:
It can be tough, just the different footwork. But honestly I'm glad that I was able to get that experience. Now I know I can help my team in different ways. Said the hand-fighting starts more quickly at guard versus tackle.
-- Thinks getting all the reps at LT have made a big difference.
-- He didn't understand the SC rivalry when he first moved here.
You see that it means a lot to a lot of people. We are able to play for something bigger than ourselves. We can make a lot of people happy in this state. I'm just blessed to be a part of it.
-- One of his neighbors is a huge Gamecock fan.
-- Said last year vs. SC he could tell there was a different edge in that game. Some games just have a different spice to them. You can feel the tension.
-- Took a visit to SC as a recruit. Went to Alabama-SC game his junior year. He remembers their fans being great. Great atmosphere, honestly. It was electric.
-- OL is playing with a lot of confidence. We get confidence from our preparation.
-- Said Will Shipley is an edgy guy. When you see him playing with that edge, it's contagious to the rest of the offense. You can see that red in his eyes. It's inspiring to the rest of the team and the whole stadium, really. You could tell he was about to bring it.
-- Played in Wing-T in high school. Pass blocking was so different in that scheme. He's really been working on his punch since he got here.
-- He watches Jackson Carman all the time. That's as talented an OL as there is.
WILL PUTNAM
-- Surreal moment for me, playing my last home game, and just how everything went down beating a good opponent. One of the loudest games I’ve played in at home. And now I get to end it by playing probably the best rivalry in the country.
-- On his crowd-surfing experience on the field after the UNC game:
I just picked Trent Howard up and kind of threw him. Then they hoisted my big ass up and I started doing the same thing. It was spontaneous, but it was great.
-- On last year's loss to SC:
Obviously it was a tough loss. Right afterward you know it. Coaches know it, everyone knows it. It’s such a big game for this community and this state. Looking forward to this opportunity to set the record straight.
He remembers his neighbors playing Sandstorm until 3 AM after last year's game.
-- On the OL/running game progress:
I think it really proves how important momentum is. And even now we have guys who rotate in and out. Also great having two really good backs. Sometimes they just make us right. Sometimes we make a hole so big it makes them right.
During camp our OL looked totally different. Guys who are vets and who we were counting on got hurt. It shows importance of backups knowing you’re only one play away.
-- Klubnik has really settled in and started playing consistent football. Early on we weren't getting the running game going as much as we wanted to and that puts more pressure on him. He's settled in to be the guy he can be. As long as he keeps this up he'll be in a really good spot.
-- On the lesson he learned from playing in Columbia two years ago:
Keep your helmet on. That's stuck with me every game since then. They got the net and people are still trying to throw stuff through it. They're always loud, and people are always nice greeting you on the bus ride over. It's what makes college football special.
As a player, I really enjoy it when people are booing you really loud. That's just as much fun as when people are cheering you on. That gets me going. Sandstorm playing all week in practice, it's what makes everything fun.
KHALIL BARNES
-- On Nate Wiggins' rundown of Hampton:
At first I was deflated, thinking that Coach Swinney isn't going to be happy.
But we see that from Nate every day in practice. It's nothing we haven't seen.
-- On what brought the defense's success against high-level quarterbacks the past three weeks:
It's not a secret. That week that the Tyler from Spartanburg dude called in, Coach Swinney made everryone know we had to prove our worth. Every play matters, every game matters, every practice matters.
-- On Rattler:
Another really talented QB. He trusts his receivers, and he puts the ball where it's hard for DBs to make a play. We're going to have to pick up on their pre-snap stuff and route concepts.
-- On Xavier Legette:
You don't see many guys who are as big as he is who can move like he can.
-- Barnes was visiting Clemson during the SC game last year.
I felt it personally. They ruined our home streak. I for sure feel like there's a little extra this week.
-- On Avieon Terrell:
I don't think anyone on our team plays with more confidence than him.
His confidence is never shaken, and that's a big thing to have at the DB position.
Has a chip on his shoulder from people thinking he's just in the shadow of his brother. He's a dog. That's different, for sure.
Check out every ON SALE officially-licensed Clemson apparel/gear item available HERE at The Tiger Fan Shop (now over 3,000)!
Also, a reminder, still plenty of official Clemson Military Appreciation apparel/gear available HERE!
By: Larry Williams
(From today's availability)
CADE KLUBNIK
-- On Spencer Rattler:
Rattler was one of the counselors when Klubnik went to Elite 11 in high school. We built a good relationship there. We hit it off really well.
Haven’t talked since I got to college. Enjoyed meeting him. Good guy and heck of a player.
-- On standing on the sidelines last year vs. SC as the passing game floundered in the second half:
I knew my role. I was at peace about that. A lot of things went into that game, and it's not easy to put that all on one person.
For a team to lose like that, it’s obviously hard. I felt worse for the seniors than anybody.
That's one thing I focused on this past week was I didn't want that feeling for Will Putnam and the rest of the seniors.
-- On what to expect at South Carolina:
Obviously it’s one of the best atmospheres in college football. They’ve got great fans. Excited to get down there. We love playing on the road.
They’ve got a very loyal fan base, and a high-energy kind of stadium. It’ll be a super-cool kind of atmosphere from the start. Road games in college football can be different and much louder than road games in the NFL.
-- On Adam Randall practicing with a club on one of his hands:
You’ve got to really focus to catch the ball when you’ve got what he’s got during the week. But on gameday it’s just normal Adam. I try to keep him safe during the week more than anything. You’ve got to have some dog in you to go out there with what he’s playing with. It’s really hard. Just really proud of him. He hasn’t complained about it one time. I live with him and I literally haven’t heard him complain about it one time.
-- On Nate Wiggins' rundown of Hampton:
That was the best play I've ever seen in my life.
That's insane. He's almost as fast as me. Just kidding.
That's the play of the game, without a doubt.
-- On his decision to run at the end of the first half:
Has to be smart in those situations so they can get points there.
Said Johnny Manziel was his favorite player growing up. The best player in college football history in his opinion.
TRISTAN LEIGH
-- On moving around so much this year:
It can be tough, just the different footwork. But honestly I'm glad that I was able to get that experience. Now I know I can help my team in different ways. Said the hand-fighting starts more quickly at guard versus tackle.
-- Thinks getting all the reps at LT have made a big difference.
-- He didn't understand the SC rivalry when he first moved here.
You see that it means a lot to a lot of people. We are able to play for something bigger than ourselves. We can make a lot of people happy in this state. I'm just blessed to be a part of it.
-- One of his neighbors is a huge Gamecock fan.
-- Said last year vs. SC he could tell there was a different edge in that game. Some games just have a different spice to them. You can feel the tension.
-- Took a visit to SC as a recruit. Went to Alabama-SC game his junior year. He remembers their fans being great. Great atmosphere, honestly. It was electric.
-- OL is playing with a lot of confidence. We get confidence from our preparation.
-- Said Will Shipley is an edgy guy. When you see him playing with that edge, it's contagious to the rest of the offense. You can see that red in his eyes. It's inspiring to the rest of the team and the whole stadium, really. You could tell he was about to bring it.
-- Played in Wing-T in high school. Pass blocking was so different in that scheme. He's really been working on his punch since he got here.
-- He watches Jackson Carman all the time. That's as talented an OL as there is.
WILL PUTNAM
-- Surreal moment for me, playing my last home game, and just how everything went down beating a good opponent. One of the loudest games I’ve played in at home. And now I get to end it by playing probably the best rivalry in the country.
-- On his crowd-surfing experience on the field after the UNC game:
I just picked Trent Howard up and kind of threw him. Then they hoisted my big ass up and I started doing the same thing. It was spontaneous, but it was great.
-- On last year's loss to SC:
Obviously it was a tough loss. Right afterward you know it. Coaches know it, everyone knows it. It’s such a big game for this community and this state. Looking forward to this opportunity to set the record straight.
He remembers his neighbors playing Sandstorm until 3 AM after last year's game.
-- On the OL/running game progress:
I think it really proves how important momentum is. And even now we have guys who rotate in and out. Also great having two really good backs. Sometimes they just make us right. Sometimes we make a hole so big it makes them right.
During camp our OL looked totally different. Guys who are vets and who we were counting on got hurt. It shows importance of backups knowing you’re only one play away.
-- Klubnik has really settled in and started playing consistent football. Early on we weren't getting the running game going as much as we wanted to and that puts more pressure on him. He's settled in to be the guy he can be. As long as he keeps this up he'll be in a really good spot.
-- On the lesson he learned from playing in Columbia two years ago:
Keep your helmet on. That's stuck with me every game since then. They got the net and people are still trying to throw stuff through it. They're always loud, and people are always nice greeting you on the bus ride over. It's what makes college football special.
As a player, I really enjoy it when people are booing you really loud. That's just as much fun as when people are cheering you on. That gets me going. Sandstorm playing all week in practice, it's what makes everything fun.
KHALIL BARNES
-- On Nate Wiggins' rundown of Hampton:
At first I was deflated, thinking that Coach Swinney isn't going to be happy.
But we see that from Nate every day in practice. It's nothing we haven't seen.
-- On what brought the defense's success against high-level quarterbacks the past three weeks:
It's not a secret. That week that the Tyler from Spartanburg dude called in, Coach Swinney made everryone know we had to prove our worth. Every play matters, every game matters, every practice matters.
-- On Rattler:
Another really talented QB. He trusts his receivers, and he puts the ball where it's hard for DBs to make a play. We're going to have to pick up on their pre-snap stuff and route concepts.
-- On Xavier Legette:
You don't see many guys who are as big as he is who can move like he can.
-- Barnes was visiting Clemson during the SC game last year.
I felt it personally. They ruined our home streak. I for sure feel like there's a little extra this week.
-- On Avieon Terrell:
I don't think anyone on our team plays with more confidence than him.
His confidence is never shaken, and that's a big thing to have at the DB position.
Has a chip on his shoulder from people thinking he's just in the shadow of his brother. He's a dog. That's different, for sure.
Check out every ON SALE officially-licensed Clemson apparel/gear item available HERE at The Tiger Fan Shop (now over 3,000)!
Also, a reminder, still plenty of official Clemson Military Appreciation apparel/gear available HERE!
