CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Alexander was a big reason Fuller had just two catches

Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Mackensie Alexander Mackensie Alexander
RS So. Cornerback
#2 5-10, 189
Immokalee, FL

View Full Profile
didn’t like the fact that his defensive coordinator wasn’t sleeping prior to Clemson’s matchup with Notre Dame, so he decided to do something about it.

The Tigers’ mercurial cornerback was matched up with Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller in Clemson’s 24-22 victory Saturday night. Fuller entered the contest as one of the nation’s leading receivers with 22 catches for 454 yards and six touchdowns.

Fuller was also on the receiving end of a Hail Mary pass that helped the Irish defeat Virginia, and Clemson defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile
told the media last week that Fuller was undoubtedly the best in the country.

Alexander didn’t like the fact that Venables was so worried about Fuller.

“My defensive coordinator, I was worried that he wasn’t sleeping this week,” Alexander said after the game, nodding his head towards Venables in the hallway outside of Clemson’s locker room. “I took that personal, and I wanted to go out there and take Fuller out of the game. Our defense and our offense heard how great Notre Dame was for two weeks. It was big for us to come out as a team and dominate those boys and show what we are really about. It was great. It was fun.”

Fuller was held to just two catches for 37 yards – only one while matched up with Alexander – and Alexander said it was a matchup he has been looking forward to since the schedule was announced.

“It was a greatly anticipated matchup. I had been hearing about it for two weeks,” Alexander said. “I knew this matchup had been coming since before the season started. Will Fuller is a great competitor, and he's been killing everybody every week. He has been dominating every week and having a hundred yards every week. I don't think he had a hundred yards this week. He had one catch against me? That's it.”

Alexander said his plan was to show Fuller something different.

“This guy, if you look at his film, his performance, his numbers, he’s been killing it, killing guys that are considered some of the best,” Alexander said of Fuller. “I talked to him tonight and I told him, ‘I showed you a whole bunch of different looks, didn’t I?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, man, you showed me so much stuff I didn’t know you were even doing.’ I said, ‘I know, that’s what I do.’ Fuller’s a fast guy with a lot of ability to run deep vertical. I can run too, And I’m more physical than he is. He tried to come up on me. He noticed. It’s tougher than you thought. Heading into this week my defensive coordinator and everybody was talking about he was the best in the country. I've been hearing about it for two weeks, so it was great to go out there and take him out of it and just turn around and laugh. This is what I do.”

Swinney said it was good to have a player of Alexander’s caliber on the roster, but that Alexander still has things he needs to improve on.

Alexander gives Fuller the finger wag

"It's comforting to have great players anywhere. He's certainly a great one,” Swinney said of Alexander. “He made a lot of mistakes, too. We have a lot of coaching we will be able to do. There were things where he didn't do his job. Shoot, you want as many great players as you can have. But there will be a lot we can coach him from off of this game. And he loves to be coached and wants to get better."

Alexander was in Fuller’s face for much of the night, and Swinney said he wants Alexander to channel that energy in a positive direction.

“We don't need that mess. We have to stay focused on what we're doing,” Swinney said. “Emotions are part of the game, but you can't get so emotional that you get outside of yourself and risk getting a penalty. Let your play do the talking. Everyone is prideful and that's one of the things that makes him great. He's ultra-competitive. Just make sure you channel your energy."

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to David Hood: Email | Comment
Former Clemson standout passes away
Former Clemson standout passes away
Game time, TV channel, Vegas odds on Clemson-Alabama in Elite 8
Game time, TV channel, Vegas odds on Clemson-Alabama in Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Everything Brad Brownell said after Clemson advanced to the Elite 8
Everything Brad Brownell said after Clemson advanced to the Elite 8
Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 28) Author
spacer New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Clemsonhitter®
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
#1TIGER
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
sgttiger
spacer Love this on the final stop "It was like boom it happened,
GWPTiger®
spacer Dude is the ultimate chill. Wearing a suit and talking on
Neal in NC®
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
TRiceNGravy
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Moonshiner
spacer Yeah, Mac is the man, but Hargreaves is probably #1***
Battery505
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
lhaselden
spacer The guys stepping in still better than any we'll face next..
TigerTown
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
imacutiger12
spacer I love this guy***
jtiger1®
spacer Prob our best secondary this year since the Ford brothers.***
Obed®
spacer Best corner since Justin Miller***
deleted
spacer Re: Best corner since Justin Miller***
tmac9wr
spacer There's never been a better pure corner at Clemson...
ClemsonPoker489®
spacer Best lockdown corner since Tye Hill***
DannyBoy_ClemsonFan
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Anonymous08®
spacer Oh he is gone and I don't begrudge him that at all.
ClemsonPoker489®
spacer Keep being Mack.
ClemsonPoker489®
spacer he'll be a stud in the NFL too
El Tigre 1
spacer Someone needs to tell Brian Kelly all of this
llamasnot
spacer I think he's channeling it just fine
BentZero
spacer Offense
Prime T. Tiger
spacer #2 is the #2!!!!!!
clemson7024
spacer #2 is the #2!!!!!!
clemson7024
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Tony_elTigre®
spacer Re: New Story: Mack Truck: Mackensie Alexander shuts down Will Fuller
Clemsonhitter®