Venables: Run defense has to get better

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sun Sep 09 13:38:54 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – As much as Clemson’s offense sparkled in the Tigers’ home opener against Ball St., there was the feeling that Saturday’s 52-27 win over the Cardinals wasn’t complete.

Clemson’s defense, which played well at times against Auburn a week ago, gave up 252 yards on the ground, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt while allowing three rushing touchdowns.

Ball St. has experience on their offensive front and talented runners, but they aren’t Georgia Tech [different system, yes] and they aren’t some of the other more talented teams the Tigers will face this season.

New defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile was hired to fix many of these ills that have plagued the Clemson defense over the past few seasons, and he said in his postgame interview that he didn’t like what he saw.

"I thought they ran the ball for too many yards," Venables said. "Whether it was physicality or technique or a combination of the two, we've got to get those things corrected. We’re really happy with winning, and the play of our secondary after the first drive or so. They’re an offense that likes to spread the ball around, throw the ball down the field, so our guys were really in good position. We got some pressure up front.”

However, like many of the fans in attendance and watching on television, he saw the negatives.

“I go to the negatives first. For me, that overshadows everything,” Venables said. “Unfortunately, that's just how I'm wired. I'm focused on the things that opponents see that are going to be there on tape. We've got to be better, and we've got to be more disciplined. There were a lot of people involved, but it starts with the front seven."

Venables said Ball St. wasn’t using trick plays or doing anything different than Clemson had seen on tape, but were using Clemson’s old nemesis – the zone.

"Those weren't trick plays - they run the zone," he said. "Taking care of the fundamentals and technique starts with us. It's a long season, so hopefully we'll make improvement. We need to. I thought our secondary improved - we had guys in pretty decent position. But everything starts with the run game. Any time a team runs like they ran, it's a concern."

The defense did force turnovers – Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
So. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile and Darius RobinsonDarius Robinson
Jr. Cornerback
#21 5-10, 175
College Park, GA
View Full Profile had interceptions that set up Clemson scoring drives.

“I think at the end of the day, to be a successful team, having the ability to complement one another is big,” he said. “We capitalized on each other and it’s big to take the wind out of someone. I think we performed pretty good.”

He also got to see some of the reserve players and younger players get significant snaps.

“You always want those guys coming in to play like first-team guys,” Venables said. “They’re third, fourth-team guys for a reason. They need to play so they can develop. Get it on tape, coach off it, that’s part of those type of games. We were fortunate to be in that position to get those types of guys in.”