Defer, not differ. FYI. Hope this helps.
Photo by © Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday Takeaways
Here are a few notes from Coach Swinney's Tuesday press conference.
On Kelly Bryant:
- "It's been good. He has responded to treatment and practiced all day yesterday. I was very encouraged. He didn't miss a rep."
On the team:
- Proud of the team after six games of evaluating.
- Another big challenge this week. Another night game on the road. I know it will be a great crowd and a good environment.
- Love how the team came in on Sunday, usually their day off, with that Monday mindset. Love how they have responded
- Love the depth of our offensive line. We played eight guys 30+ snaps on Saturday.
- We’ve been really good on both sides of the ball inside the red zone.
On his time at Clemson:
- I’m one of the old guys now. Friday night will be 9-year anniversary since I got this job and I have seen a lot.
- Always likes to reflect on where he came from nine years ago. Friday night will be “pretty cool” because of the anniversary
On Syracuse:
- Syracuse is a much-improved team from last year when we got on them early. We expect a hard-fought fourth quarter battle.
- They like to throw a lot of 50/50 balls, and there will be a lot of competitive plays.
- They probably have the two best receivers we will face. #8 catches everything, and I had to check and make sure Mike Williams was in San Diego.
- Their defense brings a ton of pressures and forces you to be very disciplined.
- Syracuse has a clear identity in what they are trying to do.
- You learn a lot about the culture of a team when they play field goal block or defend an extra point.
- Syracuse is definitely heading in the right direction.
- They embarrassed us on defense two years ago.
- Syracuse is lightning fast. We like to go at a good tempo, but they are blazing.
- They get a lot of offside penalties and have gone for it on fourth down 27 times.
On the boxing gloves for defensive backs:
- Swinney took boxing glove idea for defensive backs from Bill Belichick. We were dead last and led the world in pass interferences.
On teams being ready for Clemson:
- We know we are going to get everyone’s best and we love that. We are so consistent because we don’t worry about the opponent.
On playing in the Carrier Dome:
- It is a unique environment. When we land, the first thing we do is go walk around the field. We went up there two years ago, and they were playing a basketball game that Friday night.
- It gets loud in there, and it’ll be intense.
On hiring Brent Venables to face uptempo offenses:
- Brent Venables was hired because of what he was exposed to in the Big 12 and what he went up against in practice every day.
On in-game decisions:
- Likes to go with his gut when it comes to going for it on fourth down.
- We embrace whether we get the ball first or we differ. Helps to have a good defense.
- We got excited when Wake Forest differed.
- Alright, let’s get the ball and let’s go. Let’s get a stop and then let’s get the ball and score again.
On punt returns:
- I believe in Ray-Ray. Ray-Ray is blossoming and coming into his own. He had some extra effort yards and was our downfield blocker of the week.
- He was worked very hard. He didn’t have the maturity that matched his talent when he first got here.
On promising recruits playing time:
- Doesn’t promise any recruits anything.
- You are going to compete, and the best player is going to play.
- We are going to help you get better on and off the field.
- We try to recruit good people.
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