CLEMSON – The 23rd-ranked Clemson Tigers will play at Virginia Tech Saturday and try to get back in the win column after last week’s debacle at home.
Clemson safety Tyler Venables spoke with the media Tuesday about the upsetting loss to Louisville and how Clemson’s defense wants to respond and more.
–As a graduate student, Venables is a veteran leader on this team with lots of experience. He said his advice to younger players after the loss was “you can sit and sulk and complain about it or you can fight, you can do something about it.” He said, “that’s kind of been the challenge as soon as that game was over.”
–Venables spoke highly of Wade Woodaz and how he responded to the loss against the Cardinals. The graduate described the linebacker as “very intense” and “very passionate.” Venables said Woodaz is full of “that raw emotion” and “that leadership I think is something that we need.” He also added that Woodaz “loves to win.”
–The safety has played less than 30 snaps a game this season. While this is not the role he saw himself having this year, he said, “my role is my role. If I’m a two then I’m going to be the best two…I take my role very seriously whether I’m the guy or not the guy.” Venables has also had two games this season where he only played on special teams.
–Venables also described what he has seen happen on defense and gave a little idea of what the Tigers did last week and what they have to do better in order to fix it. He explains how stopping the run is “a want to” mentality.
Watch the video below, especially around the 4:08 mark, as he describes the mentally and technique it takes to stop the run.