Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke with the media following Saturday’s scrimmage.  Saturday was a big day for position battles.

“It was a big day for a lot of guys.  I am anxious to see the film.  I want to see the guys that are really competing every snap count.  Guys like Beasley and Kalon and Shaq and Joe Gore.  I am anxious to see the film,” said Swinney.

Coach Swinney said the defense did not play at the same level Saturday.

“We kind of mixed it up a little bit today.  I thought the offense was much improved.  Defensively they didn’t have that same edge.  That is one of the things I talked with them about after the scrimmage.  Everybody is facing a nameless opponent.  You just have to play to a standard and that’s it.  Regardless of who you play and where you play.  I thought we had a couple of guys lose their edge a little bit,” said Swinney.

Saturday’s scrimmage was the last chance for a live scrimmage as the team will turn their focus to Auburn on Monday.

“We did a lot of ones on twos.  I thought Cole Stoudt did a really good job.  We threw it down the field a couple of times.  He did some good two minute work.  We worked a lot of special situations today, some more short yardage and a lot of special teams,” said Swinney.

Spencer Benton may have found a new home as the long range kicker.

“Spencer Benton is hopefully going to be a weapon for us from a long range standpoint.  He has had two scrimmages in a row where he has kicked a 55 yarder that might have been good from 60.  We are encouraged by that.  He is also punting the ball very well.  He has probably been a little bit more consistent right now than Bradley.  Bradley has big, big talent but Spencer has been really consistent,” said Swinney.

Dabo continues to feel good about the defense line.

“Defensively we continue to be encouraged by the guys up front.  I think we have some good depth there,” said Swinney.

The staff will be making decisions on the depth chart over the next few day.

“We have a big staff meeting coming up to make some big decisions.  Whatever decisions we make they are not final decisions.  We have some tough decisions but we have to start somewhere,” said Swinney.

Are there any concerns heading into the first game of the year?

“I wouldn’t say there are any concerns.  I like our football team.  I don’t know if its a concern or a question but going into it how are these sophomores going to perform in that environment.  We won’t know that until we go play.  How quickly can be bring those guys along to play at a high level,” replied Swinney.