Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow says the second-ranked Tigers understand their Fiesta Bowl matchup against No. 3 Ohio State is not just another game.
A victory, and Clemson will advance to the national championship game where it will play the winner of Alabama vs. Washington in the Peach Bowl.
Renfrow says he is very impressed with the Buckeyes’ defense, especially their safeties. Ohio State has one of the best secondaries in the country.
Q: How do you use what you did last year and carry it over to this year as far as preparation goes and that kind of thing?
Renfrow: “Well we know the stage is not going to overwhelm us because we’ve been there and we know Ohio State is a great team and Oklahoma was a great team last year. So from that aspect it’s the same but just having that experience is huge and we’re ready.”
Q: This isn’t just a typical bowl game. Bowl prep and College Football Playoff prep are a little bit different but do you still prepare like it’s just another game?
Renfrow: “I mean you do it’s definitely in the back of your mind but at the same time you’re competing against your own guys out here at practice so you have to treat it like a one practice season almost. We got good players and we got to beat them before we beat Ohio State. And so that’s my mentality, beating them. And I know if I can beat them I believe we have the best DB’s in the nation and I’ll go out there and be able to play and not be overwhelmed.”
Q: Going back to Arizona is it still in the back of your mind the last time you walked out of that stadium?
Renfrow: “Yeah it’s definitely surreal that we’re going back. And I know we’ve talked about that around here having that opportunity to celebrate in that locker room and not be so upset and just try to give the seniors a win it that locker room would be pretty cool.”
Q: Have you started looking at Ohio State’s film yet and so what have you seen out of their defense?
Renfrow: “Yeah we’re doing a lot of just practicing against Clemson but at the same time I know both of their safeties are pretty good and they have two good corners. No. 35 their SAM linebacker is good. I mean it’s Ohio State they have very good athletes everywhere and so just trying to take it one practice at a time and beat our guys before we beat them.”
Q: Your season how do you feel like it’s gone? You had the injury and you had some time off. Do you feel like you’ve done the things you’ve wanted to do this year and improve?
Renfrow: “Yeah for sure. I just enjoy playing football and so Auburn seemed like a whole year ago. I guess it was a few months ago but I just have fun coming to practice every day and I just try to take it one game at a time and not try to think of it as a whole season aspect but as a day to day aspect.”
Q: There’s been a lot of times this year you’ve made some interesting reads and I know you’ve gone to the coaches and said “Hey I saw this. They were doing this.” And it leads to a play later in the game. Is that just kind of a different way to impact the game?
Renfrow: “Yeah for a little bit there I couldn’t play so I definitely studied a little more on film and I like being aware of what’s going on around me and not just what I’m doing but what everyone else is doing and trying to find those soft spots in the defense. So that’s just fun for me and I enjoy doing that.”
Q: Does that come from growing up as a coach’s son?
Renfrow: “It probably does a little bit just trying to understand and being a quarterback in high school trying to understand the whole scheme of things instead of just what you’re specifically supposed to do.”
Q: And then the play you made in the Virginia Tech game just going up and making it. You had been kind of quiet, hadn’t really done a lot and then you just show up and make a big play. How good did it feel to help your team?
Renfrow: “It definitely felt really good. Deshaun threw a perfect ball. I know y’all have seen it. Deshaun threw a great ball and it helped us win and that’s what I’m here to do.”