CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Allen says no chance of a letdown against Tech
Allen has 14 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

Allen says no chance of a letdown against Tech


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen Dwayne Allen
RS Jr. Tight End
#83 6-3, 255
Fayetteville, NC

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was asked if there was any chance of a letdown this week, especially considering the Tigers have played two emotional, high-profile games in a row.

No chance, he said.

“I don’t [think so] at all. That letdown factor that you speak of is negativity,” Allen said. “I don’t allow myself to think of negative things like that. I focus on how we just had two big wins and what could from another big win.”

Allen was promptly asked what could be gained from another Tiger victory, and he didn’t hesitate in his answer.

“Just a boost of confidence,” he said. “Confidence going into the next week’s game against another conference opponent at home, a team we’ve had difficulty playing against in Boston College. But I’m concentrating on Virginia Tech; they’re another team that we haven’t had any success against recently. It’s going to be a big task on our hands this weekend. “

Allen has 14 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns on the young season, and he is an important cog in an offense that already has gained confidence.

“It [the confidence level] has definitely risen week by week, but we still have a lot to improve on,” he said. “There are still a lot of areas that we are ok at, but we can be better if we get the little things corrected. Like running the ball. Tajh is doing a great job passing the ball, but imagine if we were able to run the ball a little better and the passing attack that would come from that. It’s all about technique, getting our feet in the ground, working our hands in high placement. I’m sure that’s what Coach is going to stress this week. “

The Hokies have the No. 2-ranked run defense in the country, and Allen said Saturday will definitely be a challenge.

“Those guys are a lot better this year than they have been in years past,” he said. “They have one of the top secondaries in the nation and young linebackers, but very proven linebackers. Their defensive ends are young, but very active guys. They lead the league in sacks right now. Their interior guys are thick guys who get after it. They’re a very good team, and it’s going to be a challenge not only getting ready for them this week, but also going into Lane Stadium on the road and dealing with that crowd noise. “

Allen said it will take total focus during the week to prepare for the hostile environment at Lane against a team that has won five consecutive in the series between the two schools.

“We’re just ready to play whenever when we get called on, whether it be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Fortunately we have Saturdays to play on,” he said. “We come out and we’re ready to play. We have a long week of preparation ahead of us. They do a lot of things that are not traditional and run an unorthodox style of defense that we haven’t been used to and haven’t seen so far. Preparation this week is going to be key along with technique. “

Allen was adamant that there wouldn’t be a letdown against the Hokies, but he was also just as adamant that this team isn’t trying to “prove” anything with a win.

“We’re not in the proving business; we’re just into winning games. We’re not out to prove anything to anyone. We’re confident in the guys that we have on the team. We don’t have anything to prove to anyone else.”

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