Tigers hold Final Practice

by CU Athletic Communications - Sat Dec 27 16:03:58 GMT-04:00 2014

Orlando, Fla.— Clemson’s 2014 senior class had its final practice together at Thunder Field, the facility adjacent to the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. The 28 active Clemson seniors and the rest of the Tigers are preparing for the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl on Monday night at 5:30 pm against 24th ranked Oklahoma.

This year’s seniors already have a record 41 wins on their resume, including eight over top 25 teams. A win over No. 24 Oklahoma would give the Tigers a record tying nine top 25 wins.

“This is the last practice for the seniors,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney told the team after practice. “This is the last time (Monday’s game) you will wear the Paw. I promise you as the years go on you will appreciate the opportunity you had more and more. It will become more special as the years go on.”

Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney was asked after practice by the media to compare Oklahoma to an ACC team he had faced this year. “Oklahoma is probably most like Florida State,” said Swinney. “They have a very experience offensive line and they like to run the ball. Florida State is much like that in their approach. They also have some great receivers. I look at Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma’s top wideout) and I think of Rashad Greene at Florida State.

“Oklahoma was the No. 1 team in the nation back in August because they had a lot of players returning from a team that beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. They had some injuries and had some tough breaks in some close game, but they will be at full strength for this game. They get their quarterback (Trevor Knight) back along with Shepard.

“Oklahoma has a great running back in Samaje Perine who set the world record for rushing yards in a game.. He is a tough back who is difficult to tackle. He is a load, a great player, but they will play three outstanding backs who can do a lot of damage. We are going to have to tackle very well.”

Swinney was asked about coaching his first game in four years without Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. “We have always had a collaborative effort when it comes to calling the plays. I am confident in Tony (Elliott) and Jeff (Scott). The positive of Chad leaving when he did is that we have had the bowl season this year to get us prepared for next year. We will be a lot further ahead when we start spring practice. And we already have Brandon Streeter involved as the quarterbacks coach.”

Swinney said after practice that he did not expect tight end Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile to play. Leggett suffered a knee injury during bowl practice at Clemson. “Thank goodness we moved Rod Byers from the defensive line to tight end during the middle of the season. We will need on Monday.” Graduate and co-captain Sam CooperSam Cooper
RS Sr. Tight End
#86 6-6, 250
Brentwood, TN
View Full Profile , who began the year with a broken leg suffered in warmups for the season opener against Georgia, will start at tight end against Oklahoma.

Swinney was asked after practice what players had sent in paper work for a draft evaluation by the NFL. He said no one had asked for an evaluation.

Notes

*The marquee matchup of the Russell Athletic Bowl on paper looks to be Clemson’s defense against Oklahoma’s offense. That is particularly the case in terms of rushing. Oklahoma averages 268.6 yards per game on the ground, eighth best in the nation. Clemson allows just 97.7 yards per game on the ground, seventh best in the nation. In terms of scoring, Oklahoma averages 38.9 points per game, 10th in the nation, while Clemson allows just 17.6 points per game, seventh best scoring defense nationally.

*The Clemson vs. Oklahoma matchup will feature two head coaches who have been with their respective programs as head coach for at least seven seasons. Dabo Swinney has been in charge of the Clemson program since October of 2008 and Bob Stoops has been head coach at Oklahoma since 1999.

The Clemson vs. Oklahoma contest is one of two bowl games with two coaches who have been with their teams at least since 2008. The only other game that has a matchup of coaches who have been with their respective teams since at least 2008 is the Michigan State (Mark Dantonio) vs. Baylor (Art Biles) Cotton Bowl.

*The senior classes for Clemson and Oklahoma have a combined 80 victories over the last four years, 41 by Clemson and 39 by Oklahoma. Clemson’s 41-11 record is tied for the seventh most wins among FBS teams the last four years and Oklahoma’s 39-12 record is tied for the 12th most wins.

*One of the visitors to practice on Saturday as former Clemson quarterback Will Proctor. The native of Orlando, Florida was Clemson’s starting quarterback for the 2006 season as a senior, his only year as the starter. Clemson averaged 6.5 yards per play that season, still the Clemson single season record for yards per play.