Tag: Clemson defense

Trotter on the defense: ‘You can see a change in mindset coming into this game’

After an uncharacteristic performance by the Clemson defense in the loss to Notre Dame just one week ago, a lot had to be reevaluated in terms of the physicality and motivation of defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin’s unit. Throughout the season …

After an uncharacteristic performance by the Clemson defense in the loss to Notre Dame just one week ago, a lot had to be reevaluated in terms of the physicality and motivation of defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin’s unit.

Throughout the season the defense has been hit by the injury bug and week after week, it seems that a different player is sidelined yet again. Prior to the game, it was announced junior linebacker Trenton Simpson would be out with an undisclosed injury.

Coming into the game, the question remained as to how the other linebackers and the defense as a whole would perform despite the absence of some key starters.

However, players like sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. stepped up in a big way. Trotter spoke to the media after the 31-16 win over Louisville and explained that the performance against the Cardinals was a direct reflection of the energy the team brought to practice all week.

“I definitely saw it throughout the week,” he said. “The leaders and older guys of the defense and the offense were stepping up in practice. We had great energy and definitely you can see a change of mindset coming into this game.”

The difference in the defense’s performance over Louisville versus Notre Dame, was not only the team’s energy in the week leading up to the game, but also the simple execution of the plan put in place. Trotter emphasized that the defense was on the dot when it came to executing the game plan this week.

“Really just a great game plan by the coaches, nothing specifically, but we just executed the game plan very well this week,” he said. “I feel like it showed.”

Clemson’s first turnover on Saturday came when Trotter was able to knock the ball loose from Louisville running back Tiyon Evans’ possession. The fumble was then recovered by Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips. Trotter reflected on how it felt to have that kind of performance at this point in the season.

“It definitely feels good to have a game like that,” he said.

The linebacker also expressed the importance of coming together as a unit and assisting Barrett Carter in his transition into playing the box. With Simpson such a dynamic and agile player on the Clemson defense, it was a team effort to instill the confidence in Carter to play into his new role on the field.

“With Trenton out and Barrett coming into a new position he hasn’t played yet, we definitely try to talk him through and help him out,” Trotter said, “and I feel like he really prepared well throughout the week and it showed today.”

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Woodaz puts on dominant performance taking over linebacker position

Linebacker Wade Woodaz filled in for starting linebacker Trenton Simpson against Louisville on Saturday, as Simpson was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The freshman was up for a big test filling the shoes of a dynamic player like Simpson, but …

Linebacker Wade Woodaz filled in for starting linebacker Trenton Simpson against Louisville on Saturday, as Simpson was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The freshman was up for a big test filling the shoes of a dynamic player like Simpson, but he played with a physicality that threatened the Cardinals’ offense all night.

Woodaz had not started in a game this season, but that didn’t stop him from coming out with his best performance against Louisville. The linebacker came into this game with seven total tackles, three of which were solo tackles.

The freshman did not play with any hesitation throughout the game, but it was in the third quarter where he began to be quite the difference maker for the Clemson defense. Whether it was pressuring the Louisville quarterback or assisting tackles, Woodaz look experienced in his ability to use his speed and attacking mentality on the field.

In the late stages of the third quarter, Woodaz already had three total tackles, one sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

The sack for the freshman came when there was 10:32 left in the third quarter. Woodaz broke away to pummel Louisville quarterback Brock Domann for a loss of 10 yards on the play and a forced fumble. Although the fumble was recovered by Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan, the loss of 10 yards put the Louisville offense at a deficit.

The freshman looked intent on what he had to do out on the field and this was a major contributing factor to the defensive success for the Tigers against the Cardinals.

With such little experience playing this many reps in a game, Woodaz’s physicality and speed really showed his potential and the depth of the Clemson linebacker corps.

3 defensive keys for a Clemson win versus Louisville

Check out Clemson Wire’s 3 defensive keys for a Clemson win on Saturday against Louisville.

No. 12 Clemson (8-1, 6-0 ACC) moves into Week 11 playing host to Louisville for the first of the Tiger’s three remaining matchups of the regular season at Memorial Stadium.

Clemson enters Saturday’s contest after sustaining its first loss of the season last weekend at Notre Dame. The Tiger’s are in the hunt for their ninth win of the season with hopes of keeping their playoff goals alive through the last three games.

Despite a 6-3 record, Louisville comes into Saturday’s matchup having won four straight including three ACC wins against Virginia, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest. The Cardinals boast one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC in Malik Cunningham who will be a big challenge for Wes Goodwin’s defense.

Here are three defensive keys to a Clemson win at home versus Louisville.

Goodwin discusses the state of the defense: ‘We’re probably missing some vocal leadership’

The loss to Notre Dame last Saturday highlighted some glaring issues that defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin will have to correct before Clemson is back in action this Saturday. When speaking to the media on Monday, Goodwin indicated that …

The loss to Notre Dame last Saturday highlighted some glaring issues that defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin will have to correct before Clemson is back in action this Saturday.

When speaking to the media on Monday, Goodwin indicated that sometimes this season the defense misses some of that vocal leadership that was present in previous seasons. Whether it was James Skalski or Nolan Turner, you knew there were some veteran guys who, in the face of adversity, would demand that the rest of the team step up.

Goodwin discussed the difference between this season and some previous ones. From what was shared by Goodwin, it seems that a defense with so much individual potential lacks a dominant voice pulling the team back in the game.

“I think we have guys who have great leadership qualities, we’re probably missing some vocal leadership from those guys,” he said. “We lost a ton of experience that guys looked up to, from Skalski, (Baylon) Spector, Nolan Turner and those guys. We have great leaders on our team, not necessarily big vocal leaders — they’re more lead by example, and K.J. (Henry) is kind of the vocal leader, I would say, of the group, and some other guys. I think those guys will challenge the guys and get them right this week no doubt.”

Goodwin indicated there may have been external factors that impacted his defense, but it all comes back to the mindset the Tigers played with.

“I think when you’re dealing with young men, sometimes we let outside forces dictate our mindset for whatever reason,” he said, “but I don’t question anyone’s physicality or toughness at all on our defense.”

Goodwin shared that when it comes to leadership moving forward, it needs to be about both the players and the coaches working in tangent to pull the best performance out of one another. It is up to everyone to be on the same path, with the same vision, working towards the same goal, and that is what it’s going to take to get this defense where it needs to be for the remainder of the season.

“I think that and the combination of coaches as well,” he said. “We can pull it out of them as well. Everybody is on board with the process and we’ll get their best this week.”

 

Goodwin, Davis: Defense didn’t have right mindset in loss

After an uncharacteristic defensive performance by Clemson in a road loss to Notre Dame, many questions circulate about what went wrong for a defense that has shown glimmers of greatness during periods of the season and how such a talented unit can …

After an uncharacteristic defensive performance by Clemson in a road loss to Notre Dame, many questions circulate about what went wrong for a defense that has shown glimmers of greatness during periods of the season and how such a talented unit can regroup for this final stretch of the season.

Defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin spoke to the media on Monday and described the week leading up to the Notre Dame game as the “best week of preparation all season.” Yet despite this preparation, the defensive unit looked rather flat on the field, missing assignments and just not playing with the level of physicality that has become part of its identity.

Goodwin reflected on the week leading up to the Notre Dame game and what’s next in terms of regrouping and looking ahead.

“I think there’s always self-reflection, hindsight is always 20/20,” he said. “You go back and see the issues that need to be corrected and move forward and fix those mistakes and grow and learn from it. Everybody’s got to own it, myself included, and look back at what went wrong. I felt like last week was our best week of preparation all season and everybody felt really confident going into the game and you know the result that happened, but everybody’s got to own it and grow from it and get better as we proceed forward.”

There wasn’t anything Goodwin could pinpoint as to how the Tigers’ best week of preparation led to their worst performance of the season on Saturday night.

“Some weeks you have a terrible week of preparation and you play your best,” he said. “So, it’s just one of those things sometimes you can’t put your finger on what went wrong, what went right.”

Senior defensive tackle Tyler Davis also spoke to the media on Monday and tried to pinpoint what went wrong for the defense against the Irish and what he believes the poor performance boiled down to.

“Mindset,” Davis said. “I don’t think we had the right mindset.”

Davis reflected on what factors may have incurred this mindset shift for the Tigers at this stage of the season with an 8-0 record at the time.

“I have no idea,” Davis said. “Yes, it is surprising, but we’re going to learn from the film and we are going to move forward.”

Goodwin agreed that the defense didn’t come out with a physical mindset, which he believes is a choice and that choice just wasn’t made on Saturday.

“I think physicality is a mindset everyone has to show up with,” Goodwin said. “I think that’s an intrinsic inside-out thought process. Maybe guys didn’t show up with the right mindset from that standpoint.”

The defensive coordinator emphasized that even with a poor performance, he believes the team can right the ship this week at practice, readjust their mindset and look ahead to an improved performance against Louisville.

“Everybody still knows what’s left on the table and in front of us,” he said. “Everybody’s showed up with the right mindset to get back to work. Guys are hungry for information for how they can grow and get better from this and we’re all pulling in the same direction moving forward.”

Henry on loss to Notre Dame: ‘We earned what we got’

Clemson’s hope of an undefeated season was crushed by Notre Dame, which had a dominant victory over the Tigers on Saturday. With an inability to get confidence or momentum on either side of the ball, many questions circulate about where the offense …

Clemson’s hope of an undefeated season was crushed by Notre Dame, which had a dominant victory over the Tigers on Saturday.

With an inability to get confidence or momentum on either side of the ball, many questions circulate about where the offense and the defense will be for the remainder of the season. Even with the Tigers returning to Death Valley for their final three games of the regular season, they face some fierce competition and will have to make a 180-degree turn from their performance inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Senior defensive end K.J. Henry spoke to the media after the game and was candid about the team’s woeful performance against the Fighting Irish. More specifically, the defensive line’s performance against Notre Dame’s rush attack. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Tigers, who came into this game ranked seventh nationally in run defense.

Henry reflected on how frustrating it felt to prepare for two weeks with a set game plan and just go out there and not be able to execute on any level.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “The coaches are going to do the best job they can to take the blame, but it’s all on the players. (Head) coach (Dabo) Swinney made a statement this week that at this point in the season, everybody’s got their game plan and you just got to get out of the way and let the players play. Last two weeks of preparation was great, the coaches gave us a plan to win the game and we didn’t execute. That’s really what’s so frustrating coming off a bye week and that’s the performance you put up. With that being said, just like a loss we treat it the same as a win. Watching the film on Sunday and Monday, then we have to flush it and get on the next one.”

The North Carolina native even went on to say that Swinney had a message for the team: “We earned what we got.” Henry, who is a veteran on the defensive line, said that the mental aspect of these types of games is a key factor and was what the Tigers were missing on Saturday.

“We earned what we got tonight,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong. Notre Dame, a more physical team, more disciplined team, they played better than us tonight, but we also helped them. There was just some things where we really didn’t help ourselves in a lot of situations from the jump. Like Coach Swinney said, mental is big in these games, especially when we lost here last time. I knew how this crowd would get. So, really didn’t help ourselves from the jump and definitely have to be better in those situations.”

However, the senior attempted to look forward despite the crushing loss on the road. Henry reflected on being 4-3 after seven games last year. Yet despite that start, the Tigers went on to finish the season 10-3. He emphasized the importance of responding to adversity, and that’s what the team will have to do to finish the final stretch of the season strong at home.

“It was our decision to respond,” he said. “This is our first loss this year, and we are going to be granted with that same decision to respond. So it will be great to see what these guys are made of and what this locker room expects and expects us to respond in the right way. But at the end of the day, we have to show it. It will be great to see what we put on the field next time we step out.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Venables says ‘we will definitely have our hands full’ against Notre Dame

Tyler Venables spoke to the media on Monday, detailing what the Notre Dame offense will bring to the table this Saturday. The junior Clemson safety reflected on the most recent games between the Tigers and the Fighting Irish. “We have some real …

Tyler Venables spoke to the media on Monday, detailing what the Notre Dame offense will bring to the table this Saturday.

The junior Clemson safety reflected on the most recent games between the Tigers and the Fighting Irish.

“We have some real competitiveness in the past couple of years and the last time we played Notre Dame,” he said.

The last time Clemson played Notre Dame was in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 20, 2020 and a lot has changed for both teams since then.

Venables described the upcoming game on Saturday in South Bend to be no different than the competitiveness seen in recent matchups.

“We definitely have our hands full and a tall task,” he said.

Notre Dame utilized a heavy rush attack against Syracuse, but the Irish also have a real talent in tight end Michael Mayer.

Venables described what aspects of Notre Dame’s offense will make it a threat to the Clemson defense.

“Then you watch their tight end play and 87 [Mayer] is unreal and probably the best tight end we are going to see all year,” he said. “But, they have more than one guy that is fully capable of doing it, so they can get in some heavier sets. If you have three running backs who are big dudes and not afraid of contact and willing to punish defensive guys, they take a lot of pride in their run game.”

Venables credits the consistency of the Fighting Irish offense to be heavily reliant on the run game, grabbing those first and second downs and evading dangerous third-down situations.

“That’s why they’re so consistent, because their first- and second-down production,” he said.

Beyond the impact of Notre Dame’s run game, Venables believes the passion of head coach Marcus Freeman has instilled a revitalized vision, especially on offense.

After starting quarterback Tyler Buchner was sidelined for the remainder of the season with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, the team has had to adapt.

Venables believes the passion the Irish play with is definitely playing into their offensive consistency out there on the field.

“They play with a lot of passion and that’s a direct reflection of their leadership and their coaching,” he said. “I was mainly focused on their offense, but they do a really good job at being so efficient and that’s because of how well they do on first and second down.”

It will come down to how the Clemson defense responds to the heavy run game of a physical Notre Dame offense this Saturday, but even with the “tall task” ahead, Venables believes it will be about not letting the moment get too big for the fifth-ranked Tigers.

Basketball background gives Orhorhoro unique edge

In addition to his veteran role on this year’s defense, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro brings a unique flare to Clemson’s defensive front. While Orhorhoro was a talented three-star defensive prospect coming out of high school back in 2019, the …

In addition to his veteran role on this year’s defense, defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro brings a unique flare to Clemson’s defensive front. While Orhorhoro was a talented three-star defensive prospect coming out of high school back in 2019, the Michigan native grew up playing the game of basketball.

“I don’t want to toot my own horn again, but I’m LerBon James and any time I see a ball thrown, it kind of makes me get into basketball mode,” Orhorhoro said. “I just try and match the quarterback’s hand and I try to bat the ball down.”

Basketball was the name of the game for the defender who played the game of basketball from a young age up until his junior year of high school. Following a successful sophomore season where he averaged a double-double and made it to the state semifinals alongside his team, Orhorhoro decided to meet with his school’s coaches and give football a try in the offseason.

“I always wanted to play football my whole life, but it was just something about basketball — I was just really good at it,” he said. “We went to the state championship pretty much the whole time I was at River Rouge, so just after that, I hated sitting down for so long after basketball season, so I just wanted to find something else to do to keep me occupied.

“Corey Parker, my football coach, came up to me like, ‘Hey, you want to try out football? We need you to get out there.’ And it took me like four positions to get to the defensive line, so I’m just glad it worked out the way it worked out.”

While the game of football was new to Orhorhoro, it was not new to his family. The River Rouge High School product comes from a family full of football talent including three cousins — Michael Ojemudia (Iowa), Mario Ojemudia (Michigan) and Ovie Oghoufo (Notre Dame), who all played at the Division I level before him — and while it took four positions and a couple of years to get to where he is now, Orhorhoro wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I just try to do my part,” the veteran said. “I’m an energetic guy and I try to bring a lot of energy to the team when needed, and even if we don’t need it, I just like talking, bringing the sideline together and having fun while I’m playing football.”

Now in his fourth season with the Tigers, Orhorhoro brings both his basketball roots and his current football reality to Clemson’s defensive line, providing a unique blocking-balls technique that wreaks havoc on the Tigers’ opponents and has allowed the redshirt junior to be second on the team in pass breakups (five) so far this season.

“It’s pretty easy,” Orhorhoro said in regard to finding the ball. “Once I get my hands up, basketball just translates to the football field, so that’s pretty easy for me.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Tigers talk getting some R&R during the bye week

After eight long weeks of practice, preparation and a series of physical wins, Clemson is looking forward to some rest and relaxation this weekend. With eight straight wins under the Tigers’ belt, they have received a well-deserved bye week. …

After eight long weeks of practice, preparation and a series of physical wins, Clemson is looking forward to some rest and relaxation this weekend. With eight straight wins under the Tigers’ belt, they have received a well-deserved bye week.

Defensive end K.J. Henry shared with the media on Monday what this week will look like for him.

“I’m about to take so many naps this week,” Henry said. “It’s about to be amazing. Just getting to work on us. Obviously, Notre Dame is the next opponent, but I will be honest with you, I am going to spend this next week focusing on myself becoming better and us growing as a defense. Not even worried about the opponent — worried about the little things, the fundamentals, the things coaches are going to harp on, fixing the small things.”

Henry was candid that he was in need of quite a few naps in the upcoming week, but also emphasized the need to focus on fixing the little details within the defensive unit. He believes that to be able to perform at its best against Notre Dame, the team will need to focus on improving the little details. It’s not so much what Notre Dame brings, but how Clemson as a team prepares, that will be the difference maker in the game.

The focus and attention to the small details prior to the Notre Dame game emphasized by Henry was reiterated by defensive back Andrew Mukuba.

“Obviously, it will take a lot of focus, a lot of studying,” Mukuba said. “I feel like it’s a good thing that we have this bye week, we have more time to watch more film. Just work on what we need to work on, but it’s definitely going to take a lot of focus, because they’re a good team. Once again, have everyone on the same page, because I feel like that’s something we lack sometimes, that’s communicating that everyone’s on the same page. I feel like if we have everyone on the same page on defense, we really dominate for real.”

The sophomore, who is fresh off a dislocated elbow, said the focus for him is more mental than anything else. Mukuba detailed that when the defensive unit can communicate efficiently, that’s when it plays cohesive football.

However, that doesn’t mean he won’t also be catching up on some rest during the bye week as well.

“Me and K.J. probably have the same schedule, get a couple of naps in,” Mukuba said. “Get a couple naps in, some sleep, some rest. That’s important, but yes that’s probably what I’m going to do to.”

Rest and recovery will actually be a critical component for Dabo Swinney’s team as it is headed into the latter stages of the regular season. A week filled with recovery and attention to the small details will be a good preparation for the Tigers’ next test against the Fighting Irish.

K.J. Henry calls this defensive lineman the ‘unsung hero’ of the defense

K.J. Henry, a veteran on the Clemson defensive line, was animated on the sidelines during Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Syracuse. We saw Henry trying to pull the energy out of his teammates after a somewhat slow start to the game. Henry, who …

K.J. Henry, a veteran on the Clemson defensive line, was animated on the sidelines during Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Syracuse. We saw Henry trying to pull the energy out of his teammates after a somewhat slow start to the game.

Henry, who doesn’t necessarily view himself as a guy who gets in the other guys’ faces, feels like it was what the defense needed. The Tigers needed a little spark to get them going and whatever he did worked, shutting Syracuse out in the second half.

The defensive end shared with the media on Monday why he believes it was necessary to be more vocal in that moment.

“Getting in people’s faces isn’t really me, that isn’t really how I go about business,” he said. “It works for some, that’s just not how I’m built. That was definitely out of the usual for me this weekend. Like I said, I think that was positive. I only speak when it’s needed. I don’t want to be a guy who’s talking for no reason, but definitely want to be heard when I speak.”

Henry doesn’t describe himself as outwardly vocal during those critical moments, but does ensure when he speaks it is with meaning and conviction. The fifth-year senior shared with the media that one of his teammates serves an inspiration for him, when it comes to bringing the energy.

“From Ruke (Orhorhoro), I learn how to bring that energy, that’s what I learn from Ruke,” he said. “Speaking of someone, who’s one hundred miles a minute every opportunity he gets. I learn to bring energy for sure. I try to be a guy with that energy, but there’s definitely some days that it’s tough.”

Orhorhoro, the Tigers’ redshirt junior defensive tackle, has been credited with 16 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season, but it’s the energy he brings day in and day out, that Henry regards as being a key factor in motivating the defense.

“He’s been great man,” Henry said. “You can ask anyone on the defense, he’s been somewhat of a spark of this defense, the unsung hero if you will. He’s definitely helped us and helped himself, he’s played good ball this year.”

Orhorhoro, in his own words, shared that this “energy” Henry emphasized is just who he is.

“I just try to do my part,” he said. “I’m an energetic guy and I try to bring a lot of energy to the team if we need, and even if we don’t need it I just like talking and bringing the sideline together, having fun and playing football.”