By Heath Bradley.
Each week we fill feature connections between the Tigers and the opponent. It could include players from the state of the opponent, past recruiting battles the Tigers have won, or players who have had a big game versus the opponent in the past.
There are a variety of similarities this week, Clemson players with ties to Alabama, Gene Chizik’s coaching career at Clemson, past Clemson coaches who have also coached at Auburn, or just players with ties to Auburn or the state of Alabama.
This week’s feature is on a player who made quite an impact in the 2011 matchup of the Tigers. This player was a key factor in the late stages of the game, helping the Tigers seal a victory and end the nation’s longest winning streak.
DJ Howard, a native of Alabama, sees this rivalry just a little different than some of his teammates. The native Alabama fan grew up a fan of the Crimson Tide, growing to dislike the Tigers. However, in the recruiting process he was at one time committed to the Tigers until choosing to attend Clemson and play for Swinney, and Alabama native. Being a member of the Alabama and Auburn rivalry growing up gives this rivalry a special meaning for Howard.
“For me it is like my own little personal rivalry. I am going to bring a lot of emotions, I have big expectations for this game personally,” said Howard.
Howard redshirted the 2010 season, the season that saw the Tigers lose a heartbreaker in Jordan Hare Stadium. Heading into the 2011 game, Howard was not sure how much of a role he would have.
“I just threw into the fire. When I got in there it was just instinct. I had to perform,” said Howard.
Howard definitely performed, leading the Tigers with 86 yards rushing on nine attempts. He was a key factor in helping the Clemson offense seal away the victory after Andre Ellington was banged up and forced out of action. All nine of Howard’s rushes came in the second half, helping the Tigers end the nation’s longest win streak in Death Valley
Entering Saturday’s game Howard feels that he has worked hard this off-season to help him make a positive difference in the outcome of this game as well. As the number two running back listed on the depth chart, Howard knows his number will be called, and he feels his off-season work will allow him to be successful in the game. Hopefully for Howard, and all Clemson fans, the ACC Tigers will win this “rubber match” in the Georgia Dome.