CLEMSON — Clemson’s defensive unit showed some promise in the Tigers’ come-from-behind-victory over North Carolina last Saturday.

Defensive end London Merritt spoke to the media at the Smart Family Media Center earlier this week, and spoke about the confidence it can give the defense and the Tigers, as a whole, as they get set to visit Cal on Friday night in Berkeley, Calif.

Question: Obviously, you guys have a tough quarterback match up this week with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. What can you guys do as defensive ends to try and contain him?

Answer: “We definitely have to put pressure on him. He has a good arm and he definitely is confident in that arm and without any pressure he’s going to be successful. And we just got to lighten the load up on our DBs and stuff like that because, at the end of the day, I already know they’re going to do their thing. But it’s gonna make it a lot easier for us with that pressure off the edge and impacting the quarterback by hitting them, and getting some good hits on.”

Question: The run game was a struggle, especially against North Carolina. Just what have you seen on tape from you guys on the line that needs to be better?

Answer: “You know, there might be plays where it could be like everybody does their job, but might be one little mess up or, you know, cut out or whatever and that is like the main reason why they could break off or whatever, especially against the backs. Last week, there were a whole bunch of that was a good room we played last week. And coming up this week, they also have a good back, too. So, we definitely have to do our job, and stay in the gaps and hold the edge.”

Where do you feel like you have grown this summer?

Answer: “I am definitely becoming an all-around defensive end, helping in the run and in the pass. Getting pressure, still working on getting home and stuff like that. So, that’s going to be my biggest goal. But other than that, just kind of how it’s been, especially being with Coach (Chris Rumph). He’s definitely taught me a lot of things. Being on the edge and just having guys like Jahiem (Lawson), Will Heldt and (Darien) Mayo. It’s just like we have a lot of dudes in our room.”

What is Coach Rumph’s Go to Piece of Advice?

Answer: “Definitely speed. Use my speed, power. I feel like I have a good set of pass rush moves. But he definitely emphasizes that power because I’m a pretty big-body defensive end. I have a lot of quickness to me too. So, combining those speeds power is like one of the main things.”