Price focused on getting Tigers to 9-1, not pregame hype of Senior Day

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Nov 09 12:47:31 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers take on Wake Forest Saturday this Saturday at noon in Death Valley, and the storylines surrounding the contest are plentiful.

A Clemson win would wrap up the ACC Atlantic Division title and a berth in the ACC Championship Game; a win would also give the Tigers their first undefeated season at home since 1990; and Saturday’s game will mark the last contest for Clemson’s seniors in Death Valley, and the pregame hoopla and ceremony will certainly have an emotional effect on many of those in attendance.

Don’t expect starting left tackle and senior Phillip PricePhillip Price

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View Full Profile to be among those shedding a tear. In fact, he said earlier this week that once game time arrives, he would just rather do away with any pregame formalities and begin the game, even if it means he doesn’t get to run down the hill.

“I've always said I cannot stand pre-game for any game,” Price said. “I like how it was in high school. You walk out of the locker room, you play the game. That's as much as I can say about it, without actually saying anything. People might construe that I don't like to run down the hill. I enjoy running down the hill. That's nice. But, I'd rather just walk out of the locker room and play the game."

One reporter asked Price if he would be emotional – especially considering it’s his last game in Death Valley – and he said the emotions might come later.

"I'm sure, in 10 years, I'll think about my last game,” he said. “I'm excited more for the other guys. It's more of a big deal to them than it is to me. I want them to have a good time. I want them to enjoy it. I want the younger boys to understand that it will be them at some point. As far as I'm concerned and how I feel about it, it's just a game."

Price said that instead of focusing on coming down the hill to the cheers of the crowd, or soaking up the atmosphere of the day, he would rather focus in on beating Wake Forest for a chance to play in the ACC Championship.

"That's what means something to me. We've got to focus on playing the game and doing what we can do and not beating ourselves,” he said. “That's got to be the main focus this week - not beat ourselves, play the right way and everything will fall in the right place."

Price said that he won't be ready to celebrate anything until the Tigers walk off the field winners.

“I won't feel good until we get that ninth win,” he said. “That’s just me though, because 9-1 sounds so much better to me than 8-1. I am itching to get back out there. Losing stinks. You've got to stay focused. You've got to keep working. There's no replacement for preparation and hard work.”