By Will Vandervort.

By Will Vandervort

Clemson’s new indoor practice facility for the football program has already paid for itself.

The Tigers practiced in the new facility five times as they prepared for LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last month and getting the opportunity to play on the building’s surface played a big role in Clemson’s 25-24 victory on New Year’s Eve.

Placekicker Chandler Catanzaro says kicking on the indoor facility’s turf was very instrumental in his two field goals during the game, including his 37-yard game-winning kick as time expired.

“It played a big part,” he said. “I have not had the turf field outside while they were building this so being able to be in here and feel out the turf and being able to kick on it a few times was a big factor.

“It played a big role in my success in the game.”

Catanzaro, who also made a 26-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, kicked from sideline to sideline during bowl workouts because nets have not yet been placed behind the goal posts. But regardless, kicking off the indoor surface paid off in the end.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said having the indoor facility allowed Clemson to have the same number of practices in preparing for the Chick-fil-A Bowl as LSU did. He said that helped his team, at least from a preparation standpoint, be on the same playing field with the SEC’s Tigers.

“It’s already made a difference,” Swinney said. “We had I think five practices in here while preparing for our bowl game. Being able to practice on the surface that we were going to play on and being able to have an enclosure where you can prepare your football team for what they were going to expect and see on game day was huge.”

Like Friday, the weather for some of Clemson’s bowl practices was cold and rainy so getting a chance to go inside allowed the players and coaches to be able to keep their focus on LSU and not the elements. It may not have won the game for Clemson, but it gave it a level playing field.

“It was fitting to have this dedication on a day like this because if we had a day like this during bowl practice, you’ll have to be inside,” Swinney said. “This facility, in my opinion, represents what we want the standard to be here at Clemson, and that’s to be the best.

“It shows a further commitment to our student athletes that we are all-in. We are committed to providing them the best of the best in every area of their journey while they are here at Clemson. Whether that is academics, facilities, coaching staff, whatever. It is just a great day, a special day. I don’t have any doubt that this facility is going to house a lot of great teams for many, many years to come in this program.”

Catanzaro says it is already shaping one of those teams.

“I think it has to help,” the kicker said. “I was in awe when I stepped in here. It has to help with the recruiting process. it has to help with practice. We will never miss practice. This is a huge boost for the program.”