We can unearth all types of statistics to illustrate just how dominant Clemson's defense was for much of the Brent Venables era.
The list of ridiculous numbers during that period is, of course, quite long.
But in our minds, we can also recall anecdotal trends from those days that made the defense great.
Trends that really became a part of the DNA.
A few that stick out:
1) How often did we see an opposing offense get a nice gain on first down to produce a second-and-short, only to punt two downs later?
Second down would produce either a tackle for loss or a penalty for false start as the offensive linemen justifiably were jittery about blocking the guys in front of them. And then the defense would devour a flailing attempt at a check-down pass on third-and-5.
2) How often did we see the defense, after allowing a rare offensive foray inside the 5, rise up with pride and fury to deny a touchdown and force a field-goal attempt?
3) How many times did we see the opposing offense, pinned inside its own 10 or 5, fail to get a first down?
Again, no numbers to back up these recollections. But we don't need them and you don't either, because you saw it and you remember it clearly.
Those were the hallmarks of the Venables defense as much as the tackles for loss piled up and all that.
And those hallmarks were quite visible last week under Venables' successor, whose lack of experience before his promotion has cost him the benefit of the doubt in the eyes of some Clemson fans.
Wes Goodwin's defense looked a little lethargic in the opener at Duke and that was surprising.
But beyond that, the broad sample size in Year 2 under Goodwin is hard not to like.
Yes, they're allowing 21.2 points a game and that ranks 37th nationally.
But those numbers include points that were scored off Clemson's offense, and you don't need reminding that there have been a lot of them.
Yards per play allowed is 4.43, good for ninth nationally (and up substantially from 5.03 per play last season).
Pass defense is allowing 165 yards a game, eighth nationally and a monstrous decrease from 231 yards a game last year.
The Tigers are allowing 5.5 yards an attempt, good for fifth nationally and down from 6.6 last year.
Rush defense is 108.4 per game (102 last year) and 3.44 per carry (3.25 last year).
Tackles for loss is 7.44 per game after 7.93 last year.
But wait. Our whole premise here was the anecdotal, situational stuff.
So let's get to that.
A lot was justifiably made of Tyler Brown missing practice all last week before not just playing but making some big contributions.
But another freshman, Peter Woods, has pushed through injury lately too.
He missed the game at N.C. State with a foot injury. Last week there was some question as to how effective he could be.
This would qualify as effective. Wowzas:
So the defense was still kind of reeling a little bit early in the first quarter after Notre Dame moved it well on its first drive.
After a Clemson punt, the Irish took over and Audric Estime resumed the gashing by rumbling right for 8 yards on first down.
Second-and-2 from the Irish 22.
And DeMonte Capehart brought back those memories of the Venables defenses turning a plus situation for the offense into a minus:
And then on third-and-4:
From second-and-2 to fourth-and-12.
A huge, huge shift of confidence took place right here.
And after the punt came the long touchdown run from Phil Mafah.
Tyler Davis was a grown man here:
And while Jeremiah Trotter got most of the love for the pick-6, the pressure from Xavier Thomas was a big part of Sam Hartman forcing the throw:
Check out XT lining up inside in this speed-rush package on third-and-8.
And then check out XT just running right through the offensive lineman:
Also have to give some credit to XT for running down Estime late in the first half as Estime raced to the end zone:
The Irish ended up settling for a field goal.
And Goodwin's defense ended up looking fairly (B)Vintage.
The list of ridiculous numbers during that period is, of course, quite long.
But in our minds, we can also recall anecdotal trends from those days that made the defense great.
Trends that really became a part of the DNA.
A few that stick out:
1) How often did we see an opposing offense get a nice gain on first down to produce a second-and-short, only to punt two downs later?
Second down would produce either a tackle for loss or a penalty for false start as the offensive linemen justifiably were jittery about blocking the guys in front of them. And then the defense would devour a flailing attempt at a check-down pass on third-and-5.
2) How often did we see the defense, after allowing a rare offensive foray inside the 5, rise up with pride and fury to deny a touchdown and force a field-goal attempt?
3) How many times did we see the opposing offense, pinned inside its own 10 or 5, fail to get a first down?
Again, no numbers to back up these recollections. But we don't need them and you don't either, because you saw it and you remember it clearly.
Those were the hallmarks of the Venables defense as much as the tackles for loss piled up and all that.
And those hallmarks were quite visible last week under Venables' successor, whose lack of experience before his promotion has cost him the benefit of the doubt in the eyes of some Clemson fans.
Wes Goodwin's defense looked a little lethargic in the opener at Duke and that was surprising.
But beyond that, the broad sample size in Year 2 under Goodwin is hard not to like.
Yes, they're allowing 21.2 points a game and that ranks 37th nationally.
But those numbers include points that were scored off Clemson's offense, and you don't need reminding that there have been a lot of them.
Yards per play allowed is 4.43, good for ninth nationally (and up substantially from 5.03 per play last season).
Pass defense is allowing 165 yards a game, eighth nationally and a monstrous decrease from 231 yards a game last year.
The Tigers are allowing 5.5 yards an attempt, good for fifth nationally and down from 6.6 last year.
Rush defense is 108.4 per game (102 last year) and 3.44 per carry (3.25 last year).
Tackles for loss is 7.44 per game after 7.93 last year.
But wait. Our whole premise here was the anecdotal, situational stuff.
So let's get to that.
A lot was justifiably made of Tyler Brown missing practice all last week before not just playing but making some big contributions.
But another freshman, Peter Woods, has pushed through injury lately too.
He missed the game at N.C. State with a foot injury. Last week there was some question as to how effective he could be.
This would qualify as effective. Wowzas:
So the defense was still kind of reeling a little bit early in the first quarter after Notre Dame moved it well on its first drive.
After a Clemson punt, the Irish took over and Audric Estime resumed the gashing by rumbling right for 8 yards on first down.
Second-and-2 from the Irish 22.
And DeMonte Capehart brought back those memories of the Venables defenses turning a plus situation for the offense into a minus:
And then on third-and-4:
From second-and-2 to fourth-and-12.
A huge, huge shift of confidence took place right here.
And after the punt came the long touchdown run from Phil Mafah.
Tyler Davis was a grown man here:
And while Jeremiah Trotter got most of the love for the pick-6, the pressure from Xavier Thomas was a big part of Sam Hartman forcing the throw:
Check out XT lining up inside in this speed-rush package on third-and-8.
And then check out XT just running right through the offensive lineman:
Also have to give some credit to XT for running down Estime late in the first half as Estime raced to the end zone:
The Irish ended up settling for a field goal.
And Goodwin's defense ended up looking fairly (B)Vintage.
