By William Qualkinbush.

Dominating defense has been a calling card for Clemson football throughout the ages. Even in the lean years, holding an opponent down has been something Clemson fans have become accustomed to seeing.

In 1998, the Tigers won only three games. Two of those were shutout wins. It used to be a semi-regular occurrence.

Those shutout wins have become things of the past—relics of a bygone era. Coming into the 2014 season, Clemson had not recorded a shutout since 2008 and had not shut out a conference opponent since that 1998 season—and that team (Maryland) is not even affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Conference anymore.

Even though shutouts are prevalent throughout history, rarely in the past few decades have Clemson teams recorded two or more of them in the same year. History may remember it differently because of an untimely fumble late on a meaningless drive in an early-season game, but the 2014 Clemson defense has two shutouts in five games.

For some perspective, the 1981 National Championship team only had one. Since that point in time, only four teams (1989, 1990, 1993, 1998) have recorded multiple shutouts in the same year.

This Clemson defense is in rarified air—even at a school revered historically for ferocious defending—and the players and coaches can feel it.

“I think we’ve got a comfort level,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “Some of that is experience, but you have experience blended with some talented young guys that know how to work. Some older guys are helping some of these young guys come along.”

“You get a feel for the people you’re playing with,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “The guys that are seniors now, we’ve all been playing since we were sophomores. There’s just something special about it.”

The Tigers’ 2014 defensive unit lends itself to greatness. It is filled with seniors on every level, particularly with a defensive front that boasts no fewer than five seniors in the rotation. This is the third season in which Venables has been able to utilize his playbook at Clemson, meaning the group has full familiarity with the concepts and principles critical to running his system.

Venables knows truly complete defenses are uncommon, but he feels like he has one this season. The Tigers ranks among the nation’s top 25 in every defensive yardage category (total, rushing, and passing) and would be in the top 25 in scoring defense if not for a pair of non-offensive touchdowns that have been scored.

Having seen championship-caliber defenses during his days at Oklahoma, Venables is not taking for granted the time he has with these players this year.

“Sometimes, it’s like putting a square peg through a round circle,” Venables said of building a defense. “It’s just not right. Really, it happens like that a lot. To have a group that has great chemistry, it’s fun to be around.”

Even given the successes of this unit, Jarrett says he and his teammates are not satisfied. They know there is still much polishing to do before they become a unit they can truly be proud to call their own.

“When we don’t prepare up to par, that’s when you start to get exposed, i.e. the second half of North Carolina,” Jarrett said. “You’ve always got to put in the work every week to get the results that you want.”

Clemson’s defense is on pace for four shutouts this season. As improbable as that accomplishment seems, it is a sign of a dominant defense—one Clemson fans can already be proud to watch.