S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough hopes Bulldogs are a factor late

Pough talks to Brad Scott before last year's game. (Photo: Carl Ackerman)

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Sep 05 19:20:54 GMT-04:00 2014

South Carolina St. head coach Buddy Pough says he is proud of the way his offensive line responded last week following a sluggish first half in which his Bulldogs scored 14 points.

Pough, in an interview earlier this week, said the offensive line paved the way to 49 second half points in a 63-0 season-opening win over Benedict, and that he was proud of the way his big line forcefully paved the way.

However, he knows it won’t be so easy this week when the Bulldogs travel to Clemson to take on a Clemson defensive line that won’t be as easy to push around.

“We are going to see some big old youngin's this weekend, and I don't know that we can push them around. I don't know what we can do,” Pough said. “I think we have to figure out how to mix it up a little bit. We want to mix it up, but we need to run the football. These guys are highly-powered and if you don't have a way to keep your defense on the sideline it could get ugly really quick. We have to find a way to run the football.”

Pough said that in order for his offense to have success, trick plays and misdirection might have to be the order of the day.

“We have a chance to maybe catch them off guard a little bit and get them going the wrong way and do some of that sort of thing,” he said. “But for us just to line up and match up with those guys, no that can't be and that won't be. All of the teams that you see that can match up with these kinds of schools use a little trickery, like the Wofford's of the world, they go one way and fake the other and create some misdirection. But we all need something that is different than the norm to be able to match to that kind of defense. “

Pough said that while there is a talent gap, the gap grows even wider once the depth charts come into play. However, that doesn’t stop his players from wanting to prove that they belong.

“The biggest difference is in the precision. They have more people that can operate at a higher level for a longer period of time. And games like this where it will be hot, depth is going to be at a premium and they can take advantage of it that way. Our kids are enjoying the process and looking forward to playing on that stage. Our guys are looking forward and want to go out and show they could be on one of those teams themselves. They like going in there and showing those coaches that you might have made a mistake in not picking me. “

Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
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Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
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“I think we will see more of Cole Stoudt than anybody else. But if we start seeing a lot of Watson, it could be because they have got it all done already,” he said with a laugh. “I hope that wouldn't be the case. But if we can be in the game in the fourth quarter, then you think Stoudt will be the guy.”