Tigers focused solely on Boston College, not big Thursday night matchup

The Tigers say they are only concerned about Boston College, and players like linebacker Mark Herzlich.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Oct 27 16:12:19 GMT-04:00 2010

CLEMSON – A key Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division matchup will take place tomorrow night in Raleigh, broadcast nationally by ESPN, as the Florida St. Seminoles travel to take on the N.C. State Wolfpack

It is a game that could go a long way towards deciding the divisional champ. The Seminoles are undefeated in conference play, and the Wolfpack have just one loss. The Clemson Tigers are sitting on two losses, and play N.C. State in Death Valley a week from Saturday, and then travel to Tallahassee in two weeks to take on FSU.

Clemson needs for the Wolfpack to knock off the Seminoles, and then the Tigers need to care of business against N.C. State a week later and FSU the following week, making Thursday night’s game an almost must-watch for Clemson fans.

However, reporters were hard-pressed on Tuesday to find a Clemson player that knew about the game, or even knew that the teams were the next two opponents on the schedule.

Instead, each player maintained that they were 100 percent focused on Boston College, a 2-5 team that is staring at five consecutive losses.

“Coach Swinney is always putting in our heads that the next game is the biggest game of the season,” defensive end Andre Branch said. “And we are now at the point to where we have a one-game season every week. We can’t afford another loss.

“I didn’t even know we were playing N.C. State until about 15 minutes ago when someone told me. My focus is entirely on Boston College. We are definitely just taking it one game at a time.”

Offensive tackle Chris Hairston was asked if he was going to be keeping an eye on the game Thursday night, and he shook his head no.

“For me, it really is one game at a time,” he said. “Honestly, I could not tell you who we play next week. As for this Thursday, I am not even sure who is playing. We have to focus on Boston College, because Boston College is now the most important game of the season. We have to get ready for Boston, because if we get ready for N.C. State or FSU, then we won’t be prepared for Boston College.”

Linebacker Corico Hawkins said he was worried only about playing Boston College, and wasn’t paying attention to the Eagles’ 0-4 conference mark or the losing streak.

“We take the one game at a time approach,” he said. “If you do your job, then we will be successful. I am not worried about being on the road, or the troubles or bumps that they have run into. We just have to go out and get the win.”

Hawkins was asked about the Wolfpack-Seminole matchup, and he said he would worry about those teams when the time comes.

“We have to play both of those teams, and both of those teams have to play us,” Hawkins said. “I will worry about N.C. State the week we play them, and I will worry about FSU the week we play them. I don’t care about them playing each other. Whatever happens in that game happens. I don’t have control over it.”

Defensive end Da’Quan Bowers smiled and said he will definitely be tuning in, but will keep his mind on Boston College.

“I will be tuned in with several of my teammates, because we always get together and watch Thursday night football,” Bowers said. “It just so happens both are teams we have to play coming up, so I will keep a close eye on what they do to each other.

“But we also know that if we lose to Boston College, it will put a damper on our season. We know what we have to do to get to Charlotte in December. I look for our guys to be focused all week, and I know that we’ll have a good attitude on Saturday.”

Quarterback Kyle Parker said he will watch simply because he thinks N.C. State is a fun team to watch.

“We are definitely going to be watching that one,” Parker said. “Honestly, though, I think N.C. State is a fun team to watch just as a football fan. I will be watching that one, definitely. We need for N.C. State to beat them, so we will see what happens.”