CLEMSON – One might think Clemson was in trouble when it was announced it was down two starters in the secondary on Saturday.

Safety Jalyn Phillips and cornerback Sheridan Jones were ruled out, which did not bode well for a unit that had to face one of the top passers in the ACC. However, as it turned out, things worked out just fine in the Tigers’ 42-21 victory over Georgia Tech.

The Clemson defense held the Yellow Jackets to 254 total yards and intercepted quarterback Haynes King four times. Four freshman defensive backs recorded the four interceptions.

Clemson corner Shelton Lewis opened up about the closeknit group, crediting his older teammates for establishing such a dominant environment for the secondary.

“The older guys taking us through the preparation, so that when they aren’t playing we are able to fill their shoes,” the freshman said.

Early in the fourth quarter, Lewis had a 46-yard pick-six.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke about the impact the freshmen made in Saturday’s game. Watching not just one, but four different freshmen intercept the ball.

“It was awesome,” Swinney said. “That’s why we recruited them, and those guys have been working and preparing. It’s fun to see them grow their confidence and to be able to go out. It just puts wind in everybody’s sails.

“We have a really good group. Obviously, we’re going to lose a few guys, but we have a lot of dudes that are going to be back, especially in that front, in that secondary. I’m super excited.”

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