Big challenge ahead: Tigers see "no gimmes" in the Boston College defense

Jeff Scott says the Eagles will provide a stiff challenge

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Nov 05 18:14:39 GMT-04:00 2018

CLEMSON – Clemson’s offense has had its way with opposing defenses over the last month, but co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott says he understands that Saturday’s game against Boston College will be a tad more difficult.

No. 2 Clemson plays at Boston College at 8 pm Saturday night in Chestnut Hill, and win for the Tigers would give Clemson the ACC Atlantic Division Championship. A win by Boston College would keep the Eagles in the race for the crown.

Scott says the Tigers have their next goal in sight.

"We've got a great challenge and great opportunity this week in Boston College,” Scott said Monday. “Obviously, it's an opportunity for us to accomplish our second goal which is to win the division. The way our goals are set up - the first goal is to win the opener and then it's taken us 10 weeks now to get an opportunity to reach our second goal, which is winning the division.

“We've been racking off a lot of different records and things that haven't been done - I don't believe there's been an ACC team win four division trophies since they started the two divisions. So, that will be something our guys have an opportunity to accomplish."

The Tigers have won seven in a row against the Eagles, but Scott says Boston College has the Tigers’ respect.

“Have a lot of respect for Boston College. They are very, very consistent. You know exactly what you're going to get with them,” he said. “Very well coached, disciplined, very physical, hard-nosed team and defense. They're going to make you earn everything that you get - there are not gimmes with their defense. There never has been. I think that they're playing very confident on defense and I think they're very experienced. They've got nine starters coming back from last year's defense and eight of the 11 starters on defense are all juniors or seniors.

“They are fourth in the country in interceptions, they are fifth in the country in caused turnovers, they are 12th in the country in red-zone defense - then their defensive end, No. 11, Ray is fifth in the country in sacks."

The game is another chance for the Tigers to break out the orange britches, worn now in only championship games.

"It will be a great challenge and like we tell our guys when you are trying to accomplish something special and have a chance to win championships, it's not going to be easy,” Scott said. “It's difficult. If it was easy, then there would be a lot more people doing it. So, it will be a great challenge, but I know our guys are excited about it and looking forward to it.

“When Coach Swinney took over, he wanted to bring some uniformity to our uniform policy. In the past, it was seniors get to vote what they want to wear, and Coach Swinney wanted there to be some consistency. I think from the beginning, he started that we only wear those orange pants when there's a championship on the line. So, I think our guys know that we've got an opportunity to win the division championship this week and that means we get to put those orange pants on and it's something that they look forward to and take a lot of pride in."