WATCH: Clemson players discuss 27-23 win over Syracuse
CLEMSON QB CHASE BRICE
On emotions of the game:
“I was thrown into a situation where we needed to produce, and I was prepared for it. Trevor and I have been preparing, watching a lot of film and just talking with each other. I just wanted to step up and be there for the team. It was fun being out there. Getting out there with the guys and getting into a rhythm was awesome. I’m really just going to enjoy this moment and then get ready for next week.”
On the last drive of the game:
“We just had to keep doing what we were doing in the second half. We were running the ball and they couldn’t stop it. That’s a credit to the offensive line for their grit and determination to get yards. We didn’t know how the time would work out as there were a little under four minutes to go. After the false start, I told them we were going to get it, right here. I had a perfect pocket and just had to deliver the ball to Tee [Higgins].”
On thoughts coming out of the locker room:
“I knew that in every game there is a possibility of getting hurt. I was prepared and ready to do my job. When I went in, everyone just rallied around me. It’s amazing what you can do when people come up to you and say they believe in you. I had to believe in myself that I could lead the team and score enough to win. They kept encouraging me and the confidence continued with the fans and with us making plays.”
CLEMSON CORNERBACK A.J. TERRELL
On mindset of the team:
“The game wasn’t over. We all knew that we had a chance, especially as the home team. We really came together as a team.”
On keeping focus on the game:
At the end of the day, every week, we just have an opponent in front of us. We just have to keep focused on the opponent. Stuff will come up, but we just have to stay focused on the important things.”
On Syracuse offense:
“They have a fast tempo offense but that gives us a lot of opportunities to come up with some big plays and interceptions. [Syracuse quarterback Eric] Dungey had a good game.”
CLEMSON OFFENSIVE LINEMAN SEAN POLLARD
On changing from guard to tackle:
“I have done both, so it is a bit of muscle memory. Tackle is a lot different than guard with quicker steps. It’s a learning curve, but when you do it for two years, you are not a stranger to the position.”
On the running back corps:
“If we do our jobs, they are going to run, and they are going to run hard. All of our running backs are great, and our offense is great. When we do our job, we know those running backs are going to go.”
On the run game:
“We ask to [run the ball] all the time. It’s awesome. It puts the weight on our shoulders as offensive linemen, and that’s something that we enjoy.”
On the 94-yard drive to win the game:
“The adversity that everybody dreams for. It’s not fun when it’s always easy. Coach Swinney comes over to us and said, this is what y’all play for, this is what y’all practice for, it’s what you grind for so get ready and let’s go do it.”
On the week with the Kelly Bryant news:
“It was emotional but we came together as a team. The leaders talked to everybody and Coach Swinney addressed the team and we were never in the dark about what was happening. He told us every step of the way what was happening so we just went back to the grind stone and worked.”
How much were you looking forward to when Coach Swinney says, we’re going old school?
“It’s awesome. That puts it on our shoulders, that’s what Coach Caldwell talks about. Putting that pressure on our shoulders is what we like and enjoy.”
CLEMSON RUNNING BACK TRAVIS ETIENNE
On the game:
“The offensive line created tremendous holes for us to just get out there and run free. Our job is to make the safety miss, and the offensive line helped us take that to the next level. Also, the receivers being who they are, they got some great blocks down the field and that just really helped us.
“I feel like it was a great win. We faced adversity throughout the game. We just couldn’t get it right. We just had to keep fighting and keep pushing through. It just really builds character, and I think the team needed it.”
On the last drive:
“I felt like that was a defining moment for this team. Just having that drive with Chase [Brice] coming out there and making that big throw and then coming right back. Then having Tavien [Feaster] just go and impose his will on the defense. He got out there and gave us that spark, and credit goes to him and the offensive line for doing their job.”
On the quarterback situation:
“Having that ‘next man up’ mentality, Chase prepared like a starter throughout the week, not knowing what was going to happen throughout the course of the game. When he got his opportunity, he was ready for it and didn’t flinch at all.”
On the dependency on the running game:
“It was a great opportunity to have the coaches leaning on the running game. Tavien and Adam [Choice]...them coming in and making their plays, getting that spark from me...it just really helps me. The line and the receivers…I can’t reiterate it enough...they just did a great job blocking for me. That last touchdown, I think I walked in untouched. It was just wide open. That’s credit to my offensive line and my tight ends.”
CLEMSON DEFENSIVE END XAVIER THOMAS
On getting more involved:
“It means a lot to me. I started at the bottom of the depth chart. It’s been tough learning the play book and playing behind such great guys...ones that are going to the NFL, potentially. It’s been tough, but I learn from those guys. I knew [the coaches] didn’t know much about me, because I just don’t have that much film out there. They don’t know what I can bring to the table. I just used my speed to get the run.”
On team effort against Syracuse:
“It was very much a team effort...having Trevor Lawrence come out, and then Chase come in there and do his role and just do his job. Dabo [Swinney] always appreciates that.”
On keeping doubt from creeping in:
“It’s pretty hard. It’s been a lot of stress this week...it was tough but we all knew adversity comes everywhere, face it. We just gotta step up and do what we gotta do.”