Brent Venables walked into Tuesday’s meeting with the media looking a little drained and possibly under the weather. It was obvious he had not slept much and his voice was scratchier than normal as he appeared to be sucking on what looked like a cough drop.
It was also obvious the short week had already taken its toll on the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, and he was still more than 48 hours from kickoff.
“In some ways, yes,” he said. “You just don’t have enough time, or as much time.”
There is a reason why Venables is tired. Preparing for a Bobby Petrino offense isn’t an easy task for a defensive coordinator on a regular week, much less having just four days to prepare for Louisville on the road this Thursday night.
Case in point, remember how No. 9 Clemson won last year’s contest? The Tigers needed a dramatic goal line stand against Louisville in last year’s 23-17 victory in Death Valley. Defensive tackle DeShawn Williams knocked down Will Gardner’s pass to the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the two to preserve the win.
Venables admitted after the game he saw Petrino call that same play in that situation when he was at Western Kentucky, which resulted in a touchdown. The Tigers practiced that situation just once during the week and sure enough Petrino called it.
That shows the level of commitment and time Venables puts into game planning, and how far he will go back to try and get an upper hand on an offensive mastermind like Petrino.
“I don’t ever look at it like that, ever,” Venables said. “It’s a moment, it’s a scheme and it’s putting your players in position to be successful. It’s the challenge within the game, adjusting and seeing your defense execute it.”
Last year, the Tigers defense executed the game plan and adjusted to what Louisville was doing nearly flawlessly. They held the Cardinals to 264 yards, 10 first downs, and to 1 of 17 on third down conversions.
Clemson forced nine three-and-outs that afternoon.
This year, the Tigers come in leading the nation in completion percentage defense, third in pass efficiency defense, fourth in passes allowed to be competed, 12th in scoring defense and 19th in total defense (255.5 ypg).
Louisville (0-2) however is struggling on offense. The Cardinals are averaging 400 yards and 27.5 points per game, but turnovers and penalties are plaguing the team. They have lost three fumbles and thrown three interceptions and currently rank 96 nationally in turnover margin.
They have also committed 14 penalties for 115 yards.
These are the reasons why Venables says this game or any game isn’t about the coaches. It’s about the players and how they execute the game plan.
Last year, Clemson’s defense out executed the Cardinals’ offense. Can it do the same thing on Thursday?
“Coaches a lot of times get way too much credit and way too much blame, and that is true,” Venables said. “But I’m not going out there to play the game and neither is (Petrino). It matters what my players know and what they are capable of doing and not what I know.
“I’m there to service them and to help them, but on game days you have to go do your thing.”