By Will Vandervort.
Before last season even began, all the Clemson defense heard was that it was the weak link. They heard the offense would be the reason the Tigers would win games as long as the defense did its part and made enough stops.
The Clemson defense made more than a few, and at times won a few games along the way. The Tigers finished the year ranked 24th in scoring defense and 25th nationally in total defense, while ranking first in tackles for loss, fifth in third down defense, 10th in turnovers forced, 13th in interceptions, 15th in recovered fumbles, 15th in touchdown passes allowed, 16th in pass defense and 19th in pass efficiency defense.
“Last year we had a big chip on our shoulder as a defense, and the year before that we came into the year with a chip on our shoulder,” said defensive end Vic Beasley, who was named on Wednesday, along with linebacker Stephone Anthony and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, to the All-ACC Preseason football team. “A lot of people thought that we were the weak link, so we came into last year with a chip on our shoulder and we were just ready to make a statement to the country.
“I feel like that’s what we did last year and we’re looking to do the same thing this year.”
However, things are different this year. For the first time in Beasley’s Clemson career, the defense is considered to be the strength of the team, while the offense breaks in a first-year quarterback, a new running back and three freshmen wide receivers.
“The way I hear Cole (Stoudt) talk – he motivates me,” Beasley said. “With him coming into this year as the starting quarterback, it is beneficial to this team. He’s had great experiences playing behind Tajh Boyd and with Cole being a leader, I feel comfortable that our offense can have success this year.”
But the defense’s performance will be the key to the Tigers’ success and if they can get out of the defense what they got in the Orange Bowl against Ohio State, then everything is going to just fine in Clemson.
“I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen for the summer from the defense,” Stoudt said. “Vic, he’s been doing a great job. Stephone, Grady, all of them over there, they’ve been getting the defense going and it’s going to be a very exciting year for the defense.”
Clemson, which is coming off an 11-2 season, returns seven starters and 27 lettermen, including 10 deep on the defensive front where guys like Beasley, Jarrett, defensive end Corey Crawford, defensive end Tavaris Barnes, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, defensive tackle Josh Watson, defensive tackle DeShawn Williams and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins started at least one game in 2013.
“They’ve been working hard all summer,” Stoudt said. “They’ve been pushing the offense every day, too, and they’re a team that wants the rest of the team better, not just the defense. They’re constantly getting each other better.
“If we mess up on offense, they get on us. If they mess up on defense, we get on them. It’s a two-way street and it kind of goes back and forth and they just want the best out of us and they’ve been improving a lot this summer.”