For those Oklahoma fans that might be using Clemson’s 40-6 victory over their Sooners in last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl as a rallying cry, Brent Venables does not get it.

“I don’t see what the rallying cry is? That is not a rallying cry,” Clemson’s defensive coordinator said following Thursday’s practice. “Our guys came prepared to play. (Oklahoma) did not play particularly well and we had something to do with it. They had a lot to do with it as well.”

From the first play, Clemson dominated Venables’ former team. Wide receiver Artavis Scott took a screen pass and raced 65 yards for a touchdown on Clemson’s first play from scrimmage. Following a field goal, linebacker Ben Boulware returned a Trevor Knight pass 47 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on.

Clemson, who will play No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31, got a second Ammon Lakip field goal in the second quarter, and then got a 26-yard touchdown pass from Cole Stoudt to Mike Williams midway through the quarter to extend the lead to 27-0.

“We were not 40-6 better than them. We were on that night,” Venables said. “We took all of our starters out of the game well before the game was over because Coach Swinney has respect for the players and respect for the game. That’s how he is.”

Before the start of spring practice in March, Clemson erected a tombstone to commemorate the victory and placed in the grave yard. Clemson has a grave yard that sits just outside the football practice facility with tombstones that identify every one of the Tigers’ road or bowl victories over a top 25 football team. It’s a tradition that began at Clemson in 1989.

Venables pointed out Oklahoma is no different than anyone else Clemson has beaten in that situation. The Tigers have tombstones for wins over No. 7 LSU and No. 6 Ohio State from the two previous bowl games prior to last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl. In case you are wondering, the Sooners were ranked No. 24 heading into the game.

“We put a tombstone out there for any top 25 team we beat on the road and have for years,” Venables said. “We are not changing the tradition of what we do because we are worried about hurting somebody’s feelings.

“That game was last year. There are a lot of those players that are not here or there anymore. It has nothing to do with this year. I have never believed in ‘revenge’ is what’s going to motivate you. The motivation is because you are a competitor and you recognize the challenge and you want to win … you want to get that next one and have an opportunity to play for a national championship. You start using alternative motivates to get you fired up, I don’t believe in that and I don’t think they will either.”