Clemson defense aims for discipline against Tech

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last season Clemson’s defensive line was statistically the worst in the ACC, contributing only 14 sacks.

On Saturday against Middle Tennessee State they had four.

Defensive end Da’Quan Bowers, one of the nation’s top recruits in 2008, said he and his fellow linemen have come a long way since last season.

“We’ve worked hard this summer to work on the things we lacked last year,” said Bowers, who had three tackles Saturday. The next challenge for the Tigers will be a game at Georgia Tech on Thursday night.

Bowers took a few moments to talk with the AJC about bets, discipline, and first-year coach Dabo Swinney.

Q: What kind of challenges does an offense like Georgia Tech present?

A: It’s a very unique offense. You have to play on your own part, can’t play another person’s job. You have to be very disciplined.

Q: What about cut blocking, is that something that bothers you? No one likes to have players down around his knees or feet.

A: It’s not something that bothers me. We’ve practiced it all season. Just have to put our hands on them and get around them.

Q: Do you have any bets with [defensive end] Ricky Sapp on sacks?

A: We do. We compete in just about everything we do. We bet on most sacks or most tackles for loss. This week will be who has the most tackles for loss because they don’t pass much.

Q: What’s on the line?

A: Dinner.

Q: Who paid off last week?

A: I did. Ruby Tuesdays.

Q: Did he stick it to you? Did he order the most expensive stuff on the menu?

A: He didn’t get too expensive, but it wasn’t too cheap either. It was fine. He won fair and square.

Q: Talk about the growth you’ve seen in coach Dabo Swinney is his first full season at Clemson.

A: Coach Swinney is new to the game. He’s a rookie. Last year was a trial run considering the circumstances he was put in. This year he sat down with the other assistants and came up with a plan. With their experience and his ability to coach, I’m looking forward to it [this season].

Q: One of your teammates, DeAndre McDaniel, told reporters in South Carolina that he doesn’t see what’s so difficult about stopping Tech’s running game as long as you stay disciplined. Do you agree?

A: That’s the point, as long as you play your role and stay discipline you can play well. They lull you to sleep with one yard here, one yard there and then they pop the big one. As long as you play disciplined in your role you’ll be fine.