Clemson Secondary Gears Up for Veteran QB Tyler Shough and Louisville's Explosive Attack

As No. 11 Clemson (6-1, 5-0) prepares for a pivotal home game against Louisville (5-3, 3-2), graduate senior safety RJ Mickens previewed the upcoming matchup with the ACC rival.

With the Cardinals’ offense averaging 460 yards and over 36 points per game, Mickens recognized the challenge awaiting them on Saturday. 

“They got a really experienced quarterback. It’s his seventh year,” Mickens said on Tuesday, referencing Louisville’s veteran signal-caller, Tyler Shough, who made previous stops at Oregon (2018-20) and Texas Tech (2021-23). “He actually hosted me on a visit back in high school whenever he was at Oregon. [He’s] a really good player, makes good decisions with the football. And then they got really good receivers, too. So, it’s gonna be really challenging.”

Currently, Shough is tied with Tigers' quarterback Cade Klubnik with 20 touchdowns (fourth in the country) and is averaging an impressive 293 yards per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. Shough’s primary target, Ja’Corey Brooks, an Alabama transfer, leads the team in receptions (44), yards (799), and touchdowns (8). His total yards and touchdowns are both tied for eighth in the NCAA.

Receiver Chris Bell, with 20 catches, and tight end Mark Redman, who has three touchdowns on the season, are also key targets for Shough.

The Clemson secondary is allowing 218 passing yards per game placing them 69th in the country compared to allowing 173 yards and ranked No. 8 in 2023. 

Mickens identified the key areas he believes they need to tighten up to contain the Cardinals' passing attack.

“We just got to be more disciplined, finish those competitive plays,” Mickens said. “You know, not give up any explosive passes and really be sound leveraging the football from the outside and tackle really well.” 

The defense is No. 52 overall in the country and allows 348 yards. Not where they thought they would be statistically. 

What is Mickens' assessment of the unit thus far?

“Just got to be more consistent. I feel like we’re kind of boom or bust,” he said, acknowledging they have been inconsistent, oscillating between impressive plays and costly breakdowns “We’re really good sometimes. And there will be a big play, we give up. Just stupid stuff. 

"I mean, things happen whenever you play defense," the Southlake, Texas native explained. "Offenses game plan, us too, and they're good offenses. So, I don't think that's uncommon for things to happen like that. So really, everyone taking ownership and accountability and being locked in every play -- there's still so much room for us to grow."

Despite some ups and downs, Mickens maintains confidence in the defense, noting that they’ve held opponents to just over two touchdowns in five consecutive wins, with points coming only after backup players entered the game.

 "We still got, of course, some room to grow and some depth to develop from the first group. We got to clean up that boom or bust thing. But I think we're still an elite defense."

On Friday, Louisville defeated Boston College 31-27 on the road after trailing 10-27 in the third quarter. Shough passed for 332 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Brooks caught eight passes for 120 yards. 

Clemson last played on Oct. 19 in Memorial Stadium, defeating Virginia 49-31. They held the Cavaliers to 346 total yards but surrendered back-to-back touchdowns and 140 yards (129 passing) late in the fourth quarter. 

Mickens spoke about the Tigers’ preparation heading into Saturday. “We are preparing our tails off. Trying to clean up from two weeks ago, just learning from those mistakes versus Virginia and trying to clean up the small details that could cost us."