Tag: James Skalski

Skalski shares funny story about playing for Venables

Clemson super senior linebacker James Skalski recently joined Clemson running back Darien Rencher on The Players Club ’21, a college football show hosted by Rencher. Skalski shared a funny story about playing for Tigers defensive coordinator Brent …

Clemson super senior linebacker James Skalski recently joined Clemson running back Darien Rencher on The Players Club ’21, a college football show hosted by Rencher.

Skalski shared a funny story about playing for Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

“I remember when I was a freshman and I got in for a couple reps and I messed up, and he told me, ‘Skalski doesn’t get another rep the rest of the practice!'” Skalski recalled.

“Little did I know, I wasn’t going to take another rep for 10 more weeks,” Skalski added with a smile.

Skalski has certainly made up for the lost time and seen plenty of action during his six years as a Tiger. His 56 career games played entering 2021 were already tied for ninth-most in school history, and he is the only player ever to play in five ACC Championship Games.

In six games this season, Skalski has posted 49 total tackles, tied with fellow linebacker Baylon Spector for the team lead.

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Podcast: Skalski feels Tigers deserve more respect

It was a crazy weekend in the ACC and in college football. Clemson had the weekend off, but we have all the latest news and notes coming out of Tigertown and from the ACC. Also, we have an interview with Clemson linebacker James Skalski, as he says …

It was a crazy weekend in the ACC and in college football. Clemson had the weekend off, but we have all the latest news and notes coming out of Tigertown and from the ACC.

Also, we have an interview with Clemson linebacker James Skalski, as he says the Tigers should be given a little more respect than what they are getting by AP voters.

We look back at the crazy weekend it was in college football and get you set for the Tigers’ big ACC Atlantic Division Showdown with Syracuse this Friday night at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

You can download and listen to today’s podcast here (LINK), or listen to it and download it where you listen to all of your podcasts at either Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify.

Skalski frustrated by how Clemson is disrespected

As this past weekend of college football would indicate, anything goes. Even though Clemson is unranked and on the outside looking in, the Tigers still have their chances to make some noise and flip the narrative. James Skalski talked with reporters …

As this past weekend of college football would indicate, anything goes.

Even though Clemson is unranked and on the outside looking in, the Tigers still have their chances to make some noise and flip the narrative.

James Skalski talked with reporters during Monday’s media availability. The heart and would of the defense gave a glimpse of where Clemson’s locker room is at following the team’s open date and how the Tigers are focused on putting a rough month of Spetember beyond them and finishing strong.

“It’s kind of frustrating when you look at some of the rankings,” Skalski said Monday. “We’re an unranked team. Our two losses are against a No. 1 team in the country at a natural site, 10-3, and in double-overtime against a top-25 team. That’s kind of frustrating on my part. Almost feel a little disrespected. I mean, I get it. There’s plenty of time left to climb up the table again.

“Nothing’s off the table for us. Nothing is. We just got to keep one game at a time and try to win the next one. That’s all we’re going to focus on.”

Skalski was asked about how he percives a No. 1 Alabama team losing to an unraked Texas A&M this past weekend and the Crimson Tide only falling to No. 5, whle Clemson plummeted in the rankings after losing in double-overtime to N.C. State.

Are the Tigers held to a different standard?

“I think we’ve been in the past,” he said. “I think we’ve earned probably a little more respect. I think we should be given a little more, right now in particular. A&M is a great football. That’s a great football team. Alabama? C’mon. Everyone knows they’re a top-4 team. I think so. All we can control, we can control. So that’s what we’re gonna do. Just keep playing. All of that will take care of itself.”

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Grading Clemson’s defense through the first half of the season

Clemson won’t officially hit the halfway point on its 12-game regular season until after its game at Syracuse next week, but it’s close enough. With an open date to take a step back and evaluate where the Tigers are as a team, TCI is handing out …

Clemson won’t officially hit the halfway point on its 12-game regular season until after its game at Syracuse next week, but it’s close enough. With an open date to take a step back and evaluate where the Tigers are as a team, TCI is handing out midterm grades for Clemson’s performance so far in all facets.

Let’s hand out some grades for each position on defense through five games:

Defensive line

The front was expected to be the strength of the defense coming into the season given the mix of talent and depth the Tigers had there. Both have taken a hit because of some significant injuries, but the line is still holding its own.

Not many defenses would be able to lose both starting defensive tackles and keep rolling the way Clemson’s has. First, it was Tyler Davis who had to have surgery on his bicep that will keep him out until November. Then it was Bryan Bresee, who went down with a torn ACL against North Carolina State. Ruke Orhorhoro and Tre Williams have now become starters on the interior, and the Tigers have developed some depth with Darnell Jefferies, Etinosa Reubun and true freshman Payton Page having to be part of the rotation, too.

Meanwhile, the Tigers still have their numbers intact at end. Myles Murphy and Xavier Thomas (10 tackles for loss and six sacks) have been terrors off the edge while K.J. Henry, Justin Mascoll and Justin Foster (who’s also slid inside some) are there as well. Clemson has ranked in the top 30 nationally in points allowed, yards allowed and rush defense all season, and the front four is a big reason why. Grade: A

Linebackers

Clemson began the season with a strong blend of experience, athleticism and high football IQ at the second level of its defense. The first five weeks have shown the Tigers have more quality depth than they may have initially thought, too.

Super senior James Skalski and Baylon Spector, a fifth-year player, lead the Tigers in tackles with 80 combined stops. Skalski, whom the Tigers consider the heart and soul of the defense, showed his knowledge and instincts in a big way when he snuffed out Georgia Tech’s goal-line shovel pass late in that game to help preserve the victory. Spector has quietly been a productive player on the weakside.

If there’s a weakness for Skalski and Spector, it’s pass coverage. But sophomore Trenton Simpson helps there. The sophomore strong-side ‘backer has shown the physicality to play in the box and the speed to run with tight ends when needed. And then there’s LaVonta Bentley, a backup who hasn’t played like one when filling in for Skalski and Spector, who have been slowed by injuries at times. Bentley is fourth on the team with 24 tackles and has three tackles for loss. Grade: A-

Secondary

Andrew Booth and Mario Goodrich have answered most of the questions about Clemson’s cornerbacks coming into the season. Both have not only played well in coverage, but they’ve been some of the ACC’s top tackling corners when attacking the line of scrimmage. Booth is the Tigers’ third-leading tackler (26 stops) while Goodrich is right behind him (23).

Goodrich has produced his stats in four games after not playing last week against Boston College with a groin injury, forcing Sheridan Jones into a starting role. Jones had seven tackles in that game.

Sixth-year senior Nolan Turner is holding down one safety spot while true freshman Andrew Mukuba has been a revelation for the Tigers at the other. Mukuba is tied with Goodrich in tackles and leads the team with four pass breakups. But there’s depth at the safety position, too, with Jalyn Phillips, Joseph Charleston and R.J. Mickens, who has two of the Tigers’ five interceptions.

The group hasn’t been perfect. Boston College threw for more than 300 yards last week. But the Tigers are still in the top 50 nationally in passing yards allowed (203 per game), and they’ve done it without nickel Malcolm Greene (shoulder injury) for the last two games. Grade: B+

Overall

Even with the attrition, the defense has been one of the ACC’s best and has carried Clemson while the offense gets things figured out. The Tigers have yet to allow more than 14 points in regulation, though depth will be something to watch going forward if injuries continue to mount. There isn’t a glaring weakness at any level of the defense. Grade: A

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Clemson vs. Boston College: Who has the edge?

No. 19 Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) returns home Saturday for another Atlantic Division clash with Boston College (4-0, 0-0), a team the Tigers are hosting for a third straight year. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. on the ACC Network. …

No. 19 Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) returns home Saturday for another Atlantic Division clash with Boston College (4-0, 0-0), a team the Tigers are hosting for a third straight year. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. on the ACC Network.

Clemson’s offense vs. Boston College’s defense: One step forward, two steps back. That’s what the situation seems like with Clemson’s offense, which put together a lengthy touchdown drive on its second possession against North Carolina State last week only to not be heard from again until the fourth quarter. Clemson can’t run the ball against seemingly any look it gets from opposing defenses, which is hampering every other part of the offense. A young offense is going to get even younger with running back Will Shipley (leg injury) out. Phil Mafah, another true freshman, is likely to make his season debut and could give the Tigers a little more power in the running game at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, but the offensive line has got to get more push up front.

D.J. Uiagalelei is still fighting consistency throwing the ball, too. It won’t get any easier against a Boston College offense ranked in the top 30 nationally in points and yards allowed. The Eagles have also been a top-20 defense in terms of getting off the field, holding teams to just a 29.5% conversion rate on third down. Clemson’s offense has been average in that department (43.6%). If you’re a Clemson fan looking for some good news heading into this matchup, Uiagalelei had one of his most explosive — and his most efficient — passing performances last season against a Boston College defense that has nine of 11 starters back. He’ll need more from himself and a different supporting cast this time around. Advantage: Boston College

Clemson’s defense vs. Boston College’s offense: Clemson’s defense lost James Skalski to a bum shoulder early against N.C. State. Then star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee went out with a torn ACL. Ruke Orhorhoro and Tre Williams also got banged up on the interior of the defensive line, though they eventually returned. And still Clemson only allowed 14 points in regulation on the road against what’s been one of the ACC’s better offenses. Skalski is fine, according to Clemson’s coaches, and should be back in the lineup Saturday, but not having Bresee or Tyler Davis (bicep surgey) is a major blow.

Yet Clemson is only yielding 12 points per game (fifth nationally) and still ranks in the top 25 in the FBS in yards allowed. And it’s been difficult for teams to find running room against the Tigers (116.8 rushing yards allowed per game) even without their starting defensive tackle tandem. Clemson also gets to go against a backup quarterback, Dennis Grosel, who’s taken over the Eagles’ offense with Phil Jurkovec (hand injury) out. Grosel hasn’t been asked to do much (477 passing yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs in four games) with Boston College’s running game as effective as it’s been (220 yards per game), but that could change Saturday against a Clemson defense that’s still plenty talented. The question is, can the Tigers’ offense, which ran less than 50 plays in regulation and two overtimes, do its part in keeping the defense fresh after Clemson had to defend 96 plays last week? Advantage: Clemson

Special teams: B.T. Potter (1-2 FGs; 12-12 XP) began the season as one of the country’s top kickers while freshman Will Taylor (10.7-yard average on six returns) has given Clemson’s punt return game a jolt, though neither has gotten many chances. Will Spiers (41.8 yards punt) has already punted 21 times and has been solid, but Boston College’s Grant Carlson could be a field-flipping weapon for the Eagles at 46.6 yards per punt. Travis Levy has only returned three kickoffs for Boston College, but one of them was for a touchdown. Advantage: Draw

Bottom line: As the first two conferences games have shown, the way Clemson is playing offensively is making for much more even matchups against teams the Tigers are superior to in talent. If this game were being played as Chestnut Hill, I’d pick Boston College. But Clemson’s won 30 straight games at home, and the Tigers’ defense is going up against a less experienced quarterback it should be able to bait into a mistake or two if they can slow down the Eagles’ running game. That helps Clemson squeak this one out.

Prediction: Clemson 20, Boston College 17

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

3 keys to a Clemson win against Boston College

After a double-overtime loss at North Carolina State last week, No. 19 Clemson will return home Saturday to take on Boston College at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Tigers (2-2, 1-1 ACC) will look to avoid their first …

After a double-overtime loss at North Carolina State last week, No. 19 Clemson will return home Saturday to take on Boston College at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

The Tigers (2-2, 1-1 ACC) will look to avoid their first losing streak of the season. So what do they need to do to prevent that from happening against the Eagles? Here are three keys:

Keep the offense on the field (and the defense off it)

Dabo Swinney called the fact that Clemson even had a chance to win at the end against N.C. State a miracle — and not because the Tigers don’t have talent.

It was because of the Wolfpack’s utter dominance in time of possession and play differential. Clemson’s offensive ineptitude after its first scoring drive early in the first quarter kept quickly putting N.C. State’s offense back on the field. By the time regulation was over, the Wolfpack had held the ball for nearly 42 minutes and run 87 plays to Clemson’s 40. The final play tally? N.C. State 96(!), Clemson 49.

Simply put, Clemson can’t be this lethargic on offense and expect its defense to hold up all season. N.C. State’s offense found the going much easier against Clemson late in regulation and in overtime in large part because the Tigers’ defense was gassed, so keeping the unit fresh would go a long way toward helping the group continue to perform at a high level. Not to mention the offense could use as many snaps as possible in order to maximize its scoring opportunities with the way it’s performing right now.

Also, the Tigers’ defense is going to have more inexperience at some key spots with injuries starting to pile up on that side of the ball. Bryan Bresee (torn ACL) and Tyler Davis (bicep surgery) are both out, and whether or not linebacker James Skalski (shoulder) plays Saturday remains to be seen. Having to play more snaps is not only a concern in terms of fatigue, but it also increases the chances of younger players making mistakes, which Clemson can’t afford too much of right now.

Get better push up front (and on the perimeter)

After seeing the success Georgia Tech had defending Clemson by dropping more defenders than not into coverage, N.C. State largely copied that blueprint. The Wolfpack mixed things up at times on the back end of their defense, but for the most part, N.C. State rotated between three- and four-man fronts and dared the Tigers to once again run the ball. Clemson again couldn’t do it consistently, which is becoming a major issue.

Whether it be getting beat on blocks or missing them all together, the offensive line, particularly on the interior, isn’t holding up in the run game even when defenses aren’t stacking the box. Until quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson’s leading rusher last week, by the way) scrambled for 37 yards late in the fourth quarter, Clemson was averaging less than 2 yards a carry against N.C. State. The Tigers’ 103 yards on the ground dropped them to 99th out of 130 FBS teams in rushing (126 yards per game).

Running backs are occasionally missing holes and cutback lanes, too, but there haven’t been many of those. The offensive line simply has to get more push at the point of attack, particularly when the numbers are even or in Clemson’s favor up front, and help the Tigers become far more consistent running the ball before defenses will think about playing them much differently.

The blocking issues haven’t been confined to the line, though. Even when the Tigers try to take advantage of the few occasions that they have numbers on the outside with quick screens and run-pass options, missed blocks by the receivers haven’t allowed those plays to go anywhere. It won’t get any easier against a Boston College defense that ranks 21st nationally in yards allowed, but that needs to change in a hurry.

Clean up the penalties (and force a turnover)

While most of the defense’s time spent on the field last week was a result of the offense’s lack of production (seven three-and-outs in an eight-possession span will do that), the unit also kept itself on the field longer than it needed to at times with penalties. Clemson was flagged for six offside penalties, including a pair on N.C. State’s first scoring drive.

In all, the Tigers committed a whopping 13 penalties for 94 yards last week. Clemson’s margin for error isn’t nearly big enough to overcome that degree of self-harm right now.

And if wouldn’t hurt if the defense could giving the offense an extra possession here and there by taking the ball way from the opposition. As well as Clemson’s defense has performed for the most part this season, that’s been one area that’s lacked. The Tigers have forced just four turnovers through the first four games and sit at minus-1 in turnover margin for the season.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Swinney gives Sunday injury update on Skalski

During his Zoom conference call on Sunday evening, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gave an update on the injury status of super senior linebacker James Skalski. Skalski became a coach on the sideline in the second half of Clemson’s 27-21 loss to NC …

During his Zoom conference call on Sunday evening, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gave an update on the injury status of super senior linebacker James Skalski.

Skalski became a coach on the sideline in the second half of Clemson’s 27-21 loss to NC State on Saturday after getting injured in the second quarter. He tried to re-enter the game on the next series, but eventually left the game for good before halftime and then came out after halftime with no shoulder pads or helmet.

Swinney said Sunday that Skalski is “going to be fine.”

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Spector takes responsibility for ‘bonehead mistake’

Baylon Spector talked to reporters following a devastating loss at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. After missing Clemson’s 14-8 win over Georgia Tech due to knee inflammation, Spector was back in the starting lineup and was forced to play an …

Baylon Spector talked to reporters following a devastating loss at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

After missing Clemson’s 14-8 win over Georgia Tech due to knee inflammation, Spector was back in the starting lineup and was forced to play an important role from the get-go. James Skalski went down with a shoulder injury pretty early on and while he embraced a coaching role from the sideline, he was unable to return to the game.

Clemson’s defense, led in part by Spector, was fragile and mistake-prone during Saturday’s 27-21 loss to NC State. Spector made a crucial error. 

The veteran linebacker jumped offsides on a crucial third down with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Luckily, it wasn’t the deciding factor in Saturday’s game as NC State’s kicker missed a game-winning 39-yard field goal as time expired.

“Yeah, we did,” Spector said when asked about Clemson’s uncharacteristic penalties during the team’s 27-21 loss Saturday. “Just undisciplined in a lot of areas, especially in that key situation. That was on me. Just a bonehead mistake. I own up to it. Thankfully, we got another chance right there, but definitely a bonehead mistake by me.”

Clemson was penalized 13 times for 94 yards. A lot of the calls were due to offsides penalties and undisciplined football. 

Spector was called for the offsides penalty and a late hit on NC State running back Zonovan Knight, a questionable personal foul call at that. That drive, of course, led to the Wolfpack taking their first lead of the game, 14-7 with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter.

Spector was asked why those offsides penalties continued to transpire throughout Saturday’s contest and he wasn’t able to provide an answer, but obviously, the Tigers still have to go back and watch the film.

“I just know that we got to be better in those situations,” he said. “Obviously, they had a lot of third-down conversions and a lot of those were from unidisciplinary plays by us. But, we just got to continue to get better, continue to fix those mistakes and we’ll correct them.”

A lot of Clemon’s mistakes came without two of its best players in the lineup — Skalski and Bryan Bresee. The Tigers are already without Tyler Davis for the next 7-8 weeks, only for Bresee to go down in a heap of pain with an apparent knee injury during the third quarter. 

Bresee sat on the bench with a towel over his head and an ice pack on his knee. His body language said what he couldn’t. And while Clemson, nor Spector, used those injuries as an excuse, the Tigers were still missing some key cogs in the middle of the field.

“It’s tough. Jamie obviously does a great job coming in there, passionate about getting the calls in, getting people where they’re supposed to be lined up,” Spector said. “Bryan is Bryan. He’s very disruptive, obviously going to be a great player. Praying for him, because he’s hurting right now, I know that. So is Jamie. I know they both wish they could be out there. I wish they could be too. 

“It’s tough, but LaVonta [Bentley], Kane [Patterson] and Keith [Maguire] all came in and they’re supposed to step up and do their job. Proud of those guys to come in, step up and make plays and call the plays like they should.”

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Venables gets emotional when asked about Bresee, Skalski injuries

RALEIGH, N.C. – Brent Venables was noticeably upset on Saturday, and it had nothing to do with No. 9 Clemson’s 27-21 overtime loss to NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium. Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) already came into the contest without defensive tackle …

RALEIGH, N.C. — Brent Venables was noticeably upset on Saturday, and it had nothing to do with No. 9 Clemson’s 27-21 overtime loss to NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) already came into the contest without defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who is out for seven to eight weeks with a bicep tear. Then it lost linebacker James Skalski and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee to injury during the contest, as well as reserve defensive end Justin Mascoll after he suffered a lower leg injury early in the game.

But when Clemson’s defensive coordinator was asked specifically on what the injuries to Bresee and Skalski meant to his defense, especially in a game where the Wolfpack ran 96 offensive plays, he paused without saying anything for about five seconds. It even appeared he got a little teary eyed while trying to answer the question.

“You hurt for them,” Venables said. “I know how hard they work and how they love to compete and love their brothers and love the game. You hate that for them. But we have good young talented guys and that gave them an opportunity to step up, and I was proud of their efforts as well.”

Skalski injured his left shoulder in the second quarter. He tried to re-enter the game on the next series, but he eventually left the game for good before halftime.

Bresee was injured on the Wolfpack’s second possession of the second half. The sophomore, who was a preseason All-American, appeared to be nursing his left knee before heading into the locker room. He did not return.

The offense suffered a loss, as well, when freshman running back Will Shipley injured his left knee in the first overtime.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said he does not have an update on the injuries at this time.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

Injuries, fatigue take their toll on Clemson’s defense

RALEIGH, N.C. – Clemson’s defense has been one of the best in the country early in the season despite a few nicks and bruises along the way. The list of players banged up on that side of the ball grew considerably Saturday. It played a significant …

RALEIGH, N.C. — Clemson’s defense has been one of the best in the country early in the season despite a few nicks and bruises along the way.

The list of players banged up on that side of the ball grew considerably Saturday. It played a significant role in the group wearing down by the end of Saturday’s double-overtime loss to North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The seventh-ranked Tigers headed to the neighboring state knowing they would be without defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who underwent surgery on his bicep Tuesday that will keep him out indefinitely. On Saturday, other injuries started early and came often.

The first was middle linebacker James Skalski, who appeared to injure his shoulder in the first quarter. The senior briefly returned but continued to grab his arm in pain. Skalski threw his helmet a couple of times on the sideline in apparent frustration and exited permanently not long after, shedding his pads and watching the majority of the game from the sideline while Kane Patterson filled in.

Then came other hits to the defensive line, none of which were more impactful than Bryan Bresee’s injury. The sophomore defensive tackle went down in pain to his leg early in the third quarter with the game still tied at 7. Bresee limped off the field with the help of medical personnel and draped a towel over his head, signaling the end of his day. He had ice on his knee while sitting on the bench.

“It has a cumulative effect,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “We’ve got to be more efficient so we can get off the field, but guys had to really bite down and take more reps that we’d like them to take.”

Even some of those filling in for Davis and Bresee went down, leaving the Tigers’ depth scarce on the interior of the defensive line as the game wore on. Etinosa Rueben and true freshman Payton Page were in the game together at one point in the second half after Tre Williams and Ruke Orhorhoro were injured, though Williams and Orhorhoro returned to finish the game.

But having to rely on less frontline players up front combined with another lethargic showing from an offense that had six three-and-outs in a seven-possession span (not counting a kneeldown before halftime) at one point, fatigue eventually took over. Clemson defended 96 plays while N.C. State’s defense played just 49 snaps, which left the Tigers’ defense on the field a whopping 41 minutes, 48 seconds in regulation.

“We just got worn down with their time of possession and the amount of plays,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys hurt. My heart just breaks for those guys. We’ve got a physically hurt team and mentally hurt team right now.”

By the time the Wolfpack scored a touchdown in each overtime period, the only FBS defense that hadn’t allowed an offensive touchdown coming into the day had surrendered four. N.C. State had 233 of its 386 yards after halftime and had a couple of chances to break a 14-all tie late in the fourth quarter with drives setting up field goals that were missed.

“We had a chance to win the game at the end because of their resolve,” Venables said of his unit.

Swinney said he didn’t have an update on the status of Bresee or Skalski afterward, but it’s clear the Tigers now have concerns on both sides of the ball.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!