CLEMSON — While Clemson’s offensive line has shown a lot of growth over the past two weeks, the unit faces one of its biggest challenges on Saturday night when fourth-ranked Miami comes to town for a prime-time affair in Death Valley.
After some inconsistency to start the season, the Clemson offensive line has started to find its footing over the past two games. Clemson ran for 186 yards in a comeback win over North Carolina two weeks ago, then last Friday the rushing attack accounted for 255 yards. In both games, the Tigers were able to wear down opponents late.
However, on Saturday, the Tigers face what might be their stiffest test of the year, as Miami will bring a deep and talented defensive front to town. Defensive end Marquise Lightfoot already has four sacks on the young season, and veteran offensive lineman Collin Sadler knows this isn’t going to be an easy task.
“I think they are a talented group,” Sadler said. “There are some bigger guys up front, they have a little bit of speed there. They are also a really high-pressure team. So, it is just making sure our eyes are right and that we are good with our IDs, assignments — that is going to be the name of the game this week.”
At the same time, Sadler also believes it’s imperative for Clemson to not make this game bigger than it is. For the Tigers, it’s just the next game on the schedule.
“I think our main focus is just to not make them something they’re not,” Sadler said. “At the end of the day, it is just another opponent, another game that you have to prepare for. I don’t think we have to do anything special. I think we just have to make sure we are doing everything we can control the right way.”
With freshman Tait Reynolds making just his third career start, Clemson is going to need a productive running game, and how much success the Tigers can have on the ground is going to largely hinge on how well the five guys up front play.
“At the end of the day, me personally, I will never focus on, or pray for a result,” Sadler said. “I will just pray that God blesses our work and whatever outcome he has for us, that is how it is going to be.”
