Monday news and notes

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Sep 12 17:44:37 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Clemson kicker Chandler Catanzaro Chandler Catanzaro
RS So. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 205
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile said on Monday that he still has confidence in the field goal and extra point units despite a missed field goal, a botched hold on a field goal and an unsuccessful fake field goal attempt during Saturday’s 35-27 win over Wofford.

“I am very confident in our unit,” Catanzaro said. “We had a couple of setbacks this past game, but I am looking forward to the game this week.”

Catanzaro said the botched hold and the missed field goal were correctable errors.

“It was a tough snap for [holder] Spencer [Benton] to handle,” he said. “On the miss, it was well-hit, and I looked at it on tape and I didn’t let my hips clear through all the way. It was as good as I would want – I just missed it barely wide right. I am still confident going into this week.”

Last season against Auburn, Catanzaro appeared to kick a tying field goal in overtime, but an illegal procedure penalty against Clemson caused a re-kick which Catanzaro missed. He said he has visions of a different outcome this season.

“I am looking forward to stepping up for my team this week,” he said. “I have a feel I will be called upon to make a big kick, and I’m looking forward to erasing the memories of last year and coming through for my team this year. That kick is in the back of the minds of many of our fans, and I understand why because I should have made it. I am just looking forward to getting another chance to make a big kick for us.”

• Defensive tackle Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile said on Monday that he realizes he needs to work on his tackling, and he is going to work on it this week.

“I had a lot of missed tackles, and that hurts a lot,” Thompson said. “And we had plays where we were unfocused [against Wofford] and those few really paid off for the other team. We have to do a better job of staying focused the whole game.

“I didn’t have a good game, tackling-wise. I have to go out in practice and work on coming off the ball harder. And you can never go wrong with hitting a little more. We don’t tackle in practice – we thud. We wrap up the guy and stay off the ground. The whole week you go through practice without taking them to the ground.”

Thompson said the defense participates in tackling drills instead, and he plans on working overtime this week.

“We always have tackling drills,” he said. “What I have to do is work before and after practice. You can never get everything done with the time you have. You have to go out and do a little extra this week. Go out and work on tackling.”

• Linebacker Corico HawkinsCorico Hawkins
Jr. Linebacker
#42 5-11, 230
Milledgeville, GA
View Full Profile said the lack of success the defense had against the option last week might mean a heavy dose of the option this week against Auburn.

“I am sure Auburn has watched the film,” Hawkins said. “Auburn may put some option in, more than they have been doing, based off of last week’s game.”

He said he remembers last year’s game vividly, and would like to come away with a win this time.

“Everybody in the country knows we had them on the ropes at their place,” he said. “We just have to go out and compete like we did last year and see what the outcome is going to be.”