No. 6 Clemson travels to Miami for a noon kickoff Saturday. Miami head coach Al Golden talked about the ACC showdown in his press conference this week.
A transcript of his press conference follows:
AL GOLDEN: Yeah, excited to get back to Sun Life, 12:00 against Clemson. Obviously very talented team, a team executing at a high level right now, and got a lot of guys that can make plays with the ball. Great challenge for us, and excited to get it kicked off on Saturday.
Q. I wanted to ask if the dynamic of recruiting in South Florida has changed for the University of Miami just with social media and just more awareness for schools such as Clemson.
AL GOLDEN: In terms of what?
Q. Is it different having to recruit kids in Miami to Miami just because it’s kids want to go out of state or far away and they’re aware of these schools now?
AL GOLDEN: Oh, I think the country has become smaller for everybody. There’s no question about it, whether it’s virtual tours that you can take at any moment or the advent and obviously proliferation of regional airports. I don’t think there’s any question the country has gotten smaller, but that’s just not specific to us, that’s all over the country. Again, I think it’s more important to identify great kids that obviously are excellent student-athletes and can help your team win and recruit those guys. So I think that’s the most important thing, and obviously we’re proud of our kids in South Florida, and obviously the number of kids that are doing great from down here on our team right now.
Q. And then as far as your defense going against Clemson’s offense, what’s your impression in terms of the balance the Tigers have had in the last couple weeks.
AL GOLDEN: They’ve got a lot of answers. They have perimeter answers, they have downhill run answers, they have a quarterback that can create on the run, and obviously they have a vertical threat. That’s pretty much every department you need to have a great offense, and they certainly merit that. They get the ball to a lot of different people in space and yet at the same time maintain a physical component to their game, and that’s what makes them tough in addition to no-huddle and tempo.
Q. With Kirby out, who do you expect to step up as the vocal leader of the defense.
AL GOLDEN: Well, Deon Bush is certainly one of those guys, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyriq McCord, Calvin Heurtelou. There’s a number of guys that are going to need to step up. Trent Harris. We’ve challenged those guys, Tracy Howard, all of those guys are going to have to step up and be vocal and stay together.
Q. I know you have a very talented quarterback who’s only a sophomore in his own right down there. Can you talk about Deshaun Watson, though, the things you see on tape that he does well for Clemson.
AL GOLDEN: Tremendous poise, excellent — all the tools in terms of being able to sit in the pocket and throw, make all the throws, but yet the ability to create, and obviously tough in the read game because if you fall asleep he’s going to pull it and get in the alley. Just a great competitor, and obviously a leader and a focal point for them, as he should be. Very, very talented young man and looks like a leader for them, as well. So excellent player.
Q. Talk about Clemson’s defense. How difficult is that defense when you see it on film that you might see on Saturday?
AL GOLDEN: Yeah, physically imposing, two inside linebackers that are as strong as any we’ve seen, big front four that can both stand up against the run and create negatives but also rush the passer and convert on pass downs. So that’s a challenge. Length and range at safety, cover skills at corner. You know, again, very challenging group. You know, when Clemson came on the schedule, you know, we had heard, like last year, that they were going to lose a lot of guys, and certainly they did, but what’s more impressive is that the number of juniors and sophomores that are playing now that kind of were growing under that group last year. I think that’s what makes a good team. You’re able to transition quickly, and certainly this group has done that. They make you forget about last year’s group awfully quickly. Talented group, play together, play a heck of a system and play hard.
Q. And what about the quarterback for Clemson in Watson? He seems like — I think he’s a sophomore, but he looks like he’s very good, just like Brad; he knows what he’s doing.
AL GOLDEN: Yeah, I just went into a long-winded answer on him, but obviously a talented young man and a difference maker. He’s skilled. He’s not just talented, he’s skilled. He can make all the throws and is very efficient and a heck of a ball player.