By William Qualkinbush.

Much has been written and observed about how much fun Clemson’s defense has been having this season, and it seems simple to explain.

A defense stops the opposing offense over and over again, therefore the defense is having a blast and enjoying the experience. It makes sense to simply end it there.

But it does not end there, not according to the players on the Clemson defense—particularly the seniors who have seen enough units form to know how special this group truly is due to its desire to enjoy the experience with one another.

“I think that’s what’s making us emerge the way we are,” safety Robert Smith said. “We’re just having a lot of fun out there. When things go bad, we don’t panic.”

Statistics aside, to the naked eye, Clemson’s defense appears to be a unit that does not mind basking in the glow of success. While the relationship among them is strong, equally strong is the desire to best one another within the course of a game.

The stories are all the same, no matter the source. Korrin Wiggin and Stephone Anthony disagree over who forced a fumble. Tavaris Barnes touts his “fumble recovery” in the end zone, much to the dismay of Grady Jarrett—the player actually credited with making the play. A handful of Clemson players fight over a loose ball in a pile made up of only Tiger defenders.

Such ferocity might breed jealousy and spite, but the competitiveness has not create division at Clemson. In fact, the ability to have fun with it in group text messages and passing verbal jabs has drawn the unit closer together.

Now, according to Smith, the team can enjoy one another’s company when appropriate and still flip that switch when the time comes to approach another contest.

“We can laugh, but when it comes to game time, we can look at each other’s faces and see that the fun and games are out the window,” Smith said. “Like Coach Swinney says, ‘The fun is in the winning,’ so you can’t go out there and have fun without winning and doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

Cornerback Garry Peters appreciates the dynamic that exists within the defense. He used to be a self-proclaimed knucklehead, a guy who enjoyed the fun without doing the work. Given his past, Peters knows what is different about a team who can balance the two in pursuit of excellence.

“We pay attention to detail,” he said. “We don’t take anything for granted. We study as hard as ever. I see more guys than ever in there watching film in the mornings and at night.”

Perhaps Peters and Smith are more aware of those things—chemistry, camaraderie, balance, discipline, relationship, etc.—because they can see the college experience coming to an end. Both have aspirations to move on to the next level of football, but they also strive to cherish these final days getting to live life with their teammates.

“Just little things like the hotel trips, trips to the movies with my teammates, eating dinner the night before a game,” Peters said, “I’m soaking in all of that.”

“What we’ve learned here has turned us from boys into men,” Smith said. “I don’t think a lot of people understand what we’ve really been through and how we’ve really bonded. It truly is a family atmosphere.”