Clemson's 51-10 loss to LSU exposed plenty of problems on defense, but head coach Dabo Swinney believes the secondary provided one of the few reasons for optimism.
The Tigers allowed 644 total yards, including 340 through the air, in the season-opening loss. Yet Swinney pointed to the play of the defensive backs as a bright spot, particularly the way they handled LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt during the first half.
“I think we got a really good group. I think they got a chance to be really, really good,” Swinney said. “I think there was some bright spots embedded in the disappointment, and I think our secondary is a bright spot. ... I think that's going to be a strength for us.”
Leavitt, a Heisman Trophy candidate, finished with 230 passing yards, a touchdown, and two rushing scores, but he completed only 9 of 19 attempts for 123 yards with an interception in the first half. Much of his production came on the ground during that half, where he rushed for 100 yards as LSU struggled to consistently find open receivers downfield.
Swinney credited cornerbacks Ashton Hampton (1 INT) and Elliot Washington II (seven tackles and two pass breakups), safeties Corey Myrick and Jerome Carter III, who each tied linebacker Sammy Brown with a team-high 10 tackles, and nickel Corian Gipson for their performances.
The lone touchdown allowed by the starters came on a missed assignment that left slot receiver Winston Watkins Jr. uncovered for a 32-yard third quarter touchdown. Watkins finished with seven catches for 110 yards, leading LSU in both receptions and receiving yards.
Washington also defended two of three deep balls thrown his way, helping limit what could have been an even bigger passing day for Leavitt.
Myrick viewed Swinney's assessment as a sign of the trust the coaching staff has in the secondary.
“Just knowing our coach trusts us,” Myrick said. “He sees where we did good, also what we did wrong, and we attacked the film the next day. So, we know what we got to get better at.”
Washington believes the group remains among the nation's best despite the difficult opening night.
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“I feel like we still are the best secondary in the country. We are that, so I would say we just stay collective as a team, as we were doing in the summer. Same thing we've been doing. It's just football, so at the end of the day, it's second nature.”
That belief will be tested quickly.
Clemson returns home tonight to face Georgia Southern, an offense led by former UNC quarterback Max Johnson. He threw for 208 yards against Clemson last season while with the Tar Heels and was once recruited by the Tigers.
The seventh-year quarterback with stops at Texas A&M and LSU brings extensive experience to the matchup, having passed for 2,815 yards and 27 touchdowns as LSU's starter during the 2021 season.
Johnson opened this season with a strong performance, throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 34-0 victory over Charleston Southern. Receiver Alex Hollins (6'5) made an impact with eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia Southern's roster also features former Tar Heels receivers Andre Greene Jr. and Alex Taylor, both recruited by the Clemson staff, giving the unit an opportunity to prove that its performance against LSU was more than a bright spot buried inside a difficult night.
Myrick said the message around the program has been simple as they turn the page.
“Next game mentality. Pretty much that,” Myrick stated. “I mean, that's kind of the message around the whole building. Just next game mentality. Get back on top.”
