CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Venables excited by defensive progress

Venables excited by defensive progress


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Brent Venables Brent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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now knows what it means to play Georgia Tech…it’s a pain in the butt.

Clemson’s defensive coordinator got his first taste of Paul Johnson’s option offense Saturday in No. 15 Clemson’s 47-31 win over the Yellow Jackets, and he told the media after the game that he was glad he didn’t have to worry about Georgia Tech for another year.

“I’m so glad that game is over,” Venables said. “What a pain in the butt. I felt like I played every play today. It’s a tough offense to defend. It creates a lot of stress. They do a good job of making some good in-game adjustments.”

It was never easy for the Tiger defenders as Georgia Tech ran up just fewer than 200 rushing yards in the first half and scored 21 points. Overall, the Jackets rushed for 339 yards on 46 attempts and had chances to either take control of the game or wrest the momentum away from Clemson in the second half. Each time, they were turned away.

Leading 28-27, the Jackets had just intercepted a Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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pass and driven into the Clemson red zone, but were turned away when they went for it on a 4th-and-1. Later in the fourth quarter, Spencer ShueySpencer Shuey
RS Jr. Linebacker
#33 6-3, 230
Charlotte, NC

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tackled A-back Orwin Smith in the end zone for a safety, and the defense later forced a field goal attempt that was blocked.

Venables said he feels like he can see the defense beginning to show some growth.

“They really, really responded in a big-time way,” Venables said. “They had some huge plays there in the second half. That, one, has me excited about them, and two, those were steps and growth. I was very proud of the way they responded in the second half. We just lost some leverage and had a couple of poor tackles [in the first half]. We didn’t really change a whole lot. I think our plan was good. You’ve just got to trust the guys around you and know what everybody’s responsibility is.”

Venables said that Shuey’s play was just an example of a player trusting his teammates and doing his job.

“Spencer just made a great play,” Venables said. “He wasn’t Superman. He was exactly where he was supposed to be. He trusted everybody inside of him. That was a great read and great positioning. He got the guy down. What a big play in the game. I’m so happy for all of those guys. That shows even when you are on the twos and threes you have to stay ready. Sometimes that window of opportunity takes a long time to come and does not come real often but you have to be ready to seize the moment. What a great learning tool that will be for everybody.”

He said that he was proud of the way his defenders responded, even when he was trying to put the best 11 out on the field as he searched for the combination of players to stop the Tech offense.

It also gives him something to build upon.

“I think those were steps in growth, our confidence, and just defending more and more sound,” Venables said. “I’m really proud of our guys for staying calm, didn’t freak out. We made some minor adjustments and they handled those really well. Last week, I didn’t feel great about that one. This week, I do, [for] a lot of reasons.”

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Subject (Replies: 52) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
Crump®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
86Orange®
spacer Well the Triple Option is one of the hardest to Defend also.***
kg4tigers
spacer Tell that to MTSU and Va Tech and Miami
hufferbilly
spacer We are glad to have you here BV
hufferbilly
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
TigerDunes
spacer Second half was a much improved D....
hufferbilly
spacer Really? Well i guess progress is now measured in
morris
spacer whats your definition of progress?
Yzracer48
spacer Yes, you have a point. 200 yds better is improvement.But
morris
spacer A good point.***
hufferbilly
spacer Re: Yes, you have a point. 200 yds better is improvement.But
lhaselden
spacer We gave up 21 points in the first half and 10 in the 2nd.
tigerfield
spacer 8* we got 2 of them back :)***
furrcola5
spacer Re: Really? Well i guess progress is now measured in
lhaselden
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
dgcannon39
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
hufferbilly
spacer I'm normally a glass half full guy, but...
OkiTiger®
spacer Meeks does not an entire defense make....
hufferbilly
spacer What progress? If GT doesn't fumble at our 11 in 4th quarter
josephg®
spacer You're a idiot
BentZero
spacer I agree with BV
Cobbox®
spacer Re: You're a idiot
dgcannon39
spacer Heard the same things about Vandy and KY
CUgrad2011
spacer Re: You're a idiot
tigerinaiken®
spacer LOL, no unlike you, I'm not judging it on a few plays.
josephg®
spacer Kind of agree with you, but there has been improvement
WolfMan2
spacer Thank you! I was thinking the same thing.
holtzhater
spacer Re: Thank you! I was thinking the same thing.
dgcannon39
spacer No joke. And apparently the rest of the country is equally
holtzhater
spacer Re: Thank you! I was thinking the same thing.
tigerinaiken®
spacer I agree. That's sucha stretch.
estebanrocks
spacer Re: What progress? If GT doesn't fumble at our 11 in 4th quarter
prescotttiger®
spacer GT's fumble wasn't forced.***
josephg®
spacer Wasn't that fumble on a 4th down??
tigrjm76®
spacer Yea, because they fumbled. If they don't botch snap, they
josephg®
spacer While I was only watching on tv, I don't think
tigrjm76®
spacer i agree.our d got torched yesterday..
tgrfan42069
spacer I think the problems are not as widespread I used to think.
Completely Solid Orange
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
RBUsoldier27®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
WhoaNellyKJ
spacer I'm pleased, but no where near "excited"
MemphisCat
spacer Lots of strong opinions here based on inconclusive resuts.***
Razzmatazz
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
clemsontg
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
TigerDunes
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
gr82h8floridast8
spacer Amen brotha!***
hufferbilly
spacer I said to my buddy "Now we need to
mpercy®
spacer Re: I said to my buddy "Now we need to
gr82h8floridast8
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
icebucket®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Venables excited by defensive progress
sideliner
spacer Im sickinned by our lack of progress under Venables
greatertater
spacer On Venables behalf
Pawzski