CLEMSON DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR “SEARCHES UP” ANSWERS TO AUBURN OFFENSE
We knew Clemson University defensive coordinator Brent Venables could recruit. And develop talent. And call one helluva football game.
But did you know that in addition to “dialing up” defensive packages, Venables is also “searching up” schemes on the internet?
Following second-ranked Clemson’s 19-13 victory over Auburn, Venables acknowledged to reporters that he prepared for Gus Malzahn‘s “Wing T” formations by Googling the old-school offense.
“I pulled up Google: ‘How to stop the Wing T,'” Venables admitted. “So I found a guy that defended it like I think I would want to do it. I just kind of took a few things from him.”
Venables also pulled up several YouTube videos – including clips from high school games – to teach his players how to be prepared against the seldom-seen formations.
Don’t laugh … it worked. Clemson completely shut down Auburn’s rushing attack – holding the Tigers to just 87 yards rushing.
Malzahn’s “Wing T?” It never got off the ground.
In his fifth season with the Tigers, Venables has turned Clemson’s defense into one of the elite units in the nation – landing numerous blue chip recruits and developing them into NFL-caliber stars. In 2014, Venables’ unit led the nation in total defense – and finished No. 10 last year despite losing a pair of starters to the first round of the NFL draft.
Bottom line? He’s the real reason Clemson’s program has reached its current level of success – not head coach Dabo Swinney.
(Banner image via iStock)