By Will Vandervort.
It might seem like the energy level for the Russell Athletic Bowl would be down a little considering starting quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play against Oklahoma next Monday in Orlando, Fla.
But that has not been the case at all. Instead, the energy level is high and 17th-ranked Clemson seems poised to give the Sooners all they have.
“Our tempo has gone up,” Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott said. “There is a lot of excitement. We are excited to be out here and grind and try to get this bowl win.”
It appears no one is more excited than quarterback Cole Stoudt. Players and coaches both say he has a renewed sense of confidence and purpose and it is showing up on the practice field.
“Cole has stepped it up big,” Scott said. “His excitement and his whole demeanor changed. He has been way better than before. His confidence is improving. I think he is going to do great in this game.”
That’s good news for a Clemson offense that has struggled at times this year with Stoudt behind center, especially when he has played in the last three games. Stoudt was pulled in favor of Nick Schuessler in the Georgia Tech game after throwing three interceptions—two of which were returned for touchdowns—on a 3-for-11 afternoon for 19 yards.
Then he went 19 of 29 for only 132 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Georgia State, before throwing another interception in just two passes against South Carolina.
For the year, Stoudt has thrown 10 interceptions to just six touchdowns for 1,573 yards, while completing 62 percent of his passes.
Some might think having Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott taking over the offensive coordinating duties for the departed Chad Morris, and Brandon Streeter as the new quarterbacks coach is what might have Stoudt feeling renewed, but Artavis Scott says that’s not the case at all.
“He just came out here ready,” the wide receiver said. “This is his last go at it. He is ready for it and he is just going to go out there and embrace his opportunity.”