By Heath Bradley.

By Heath Bradley

CLEMSON – Clemson middle linebacker Stephone Anthony is ready for the challenge the Georgia Tech offense will bring to Death Valley Saturday at 3:30 p.m. When No.15 Clemson takes on the Yellow Jackets, the defense will see an offense they see maybe once a year.

Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-2 ACC) runs the triple option, a version of old school football, forcing opposing defenses to throw their normal game plans out the window and prepare completely differently just to face the Jackets.

“I feel like it will be a great challenge for us,” Anthony said earlier this week. “It is assignment football this week.”

The key to stopping an option offense is making sure each player plays his assignment on each play. This is something defensive coordinator Brent Venables has stressed to the Clemson defense. To Anthony, the key to success versus the option is being able to stay disciplined.

The sophomore went on to discuss how the team will prepare for the Yellow Jackets, telling reporters how the Tigers prepare in practice will determine how they fair on game day.

“It starts in practice. We have to create that mentality today, tomorrow, the rest of the week,” he said. “We have to play with our eyes, play disciplined football, we know our assignments, and we just have to play our assignments.”

Anthony did not play many snaps in the Tigers first loss of the 2011 season in Atlanta versus Georgia Tech. However, there is one thing he does remember, and that is the speed of the game versus an option team.

“It is coming at you 100 miles per hour,” he said. “Trying to find the football, the dive, the pitch and the quarterback, it is all coming at you.”

Another issue Clemson (4-1, 1-1) will face Saturday is how the Yellow Jackets plan to block Tiger defenders. Georgia Tech will often look to cut block, even in the second level. This is where the blocker will look to take out the lower legs of the defender, not allowing them to stay on their feet to make a play.

“Staying on your feet, if you are not on your feet you cannot make plays,” Anthony said.

While the Clemson defense has had its struggles in the first five games, Anthony is excited in the direction the unit is moving.

“We have had growing pains, but we are going to get there,” he said.

The middle linebacker believes the defense is headed in the right direction, and if every player will continue to play their assignments, but more importantly play with great effort, good things will come.

“If we can get 11 hats to the ball, I think we will be fine,” he said.