Tony Elliott, Shaq Smith, others discuss Clemson's win over Furman
The Tigers came out of the opening weekend of the season with a 48-7 win over Furman. Following the game, we spoke with several notable names on to get their thoughts on the win.
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Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott:
Quarterbacks: “I thought both of them made plays. Both went out and led the team the way we expected them to do, based on what we saw in practice. Both missed a couple of throws, but found ways to make plays. I was pleased with the performance. Obviously, we’ve got to get on the film and there both going to have opportunities to improve, but pleased with the way both of them played.”
Continutiy of the offense with both quarterbacks: “You couldn’t tell a difference from my perspective and again, it’s happening fast but obviously, they were both able to move the ball up and down the field, so I didn’t see any difference from either one in there.”
Quarterback anxious early?
“I thought everybody was, especially in the run game. We didn’t come out the way we wanted to, but we settled in and once we got settled down, we were able to establish the line of scrimmage, run the football, make plays down the field. Once they settled down, they looked like what we thought they were.”
Lyn-J Dixon: “To see him go out there and just do what he does, I think we’ve all said he’s very, very explosive. You can tell there was some plays that he just made on his own, he’s very hard to tackle. He’s a lot like Travis was last year. He’s going to have to learn how to play within the system and the design of the run schemes. He got a little bit for getting walked down and not scoring that touchdown. I told him, I tell you guys all the time, you better put it in the box cause there’s no guarantee that you’re going to get the next time so just happy Justyn was able to finish off that drive with a touchdown.”
Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers:
The punt return: “The return was right so I went the right way, the plan was for them to punt to the sidelines so we couldn’t turn up field so it worked out perfectly.”
The stiff arm: “When I was little, I was a big stiff arm guy, I grew away from it for a little bit but I’m trying to get back to it.”
Balancing punt returning and being a receiver: “Being a receiver actually helps being a punt returner cause you’re catching balls all the time, it helps with catching punts so, that takes care of itself, but as far as making the plays, it also comes with being a receiver too cause you’re going against DBs every day, it’s just part of it.
Clemson freshman Lyn-J Dixon
Who Dixon models his game after: “Growing up, I used to try to model after Reggie Bush back at USC.”
Game 1: “It put a big smile on my face just to know after the play I broke. Only thing I can thank is God and the fans cause I just wanted to put on a show for them.”
The bond with the freshman: “We have a real special bond. We communicate and we just have fun with each other. There’s no kind of off-communication, I’d say we kind of got chemistry. We got a lot of people on the team that have the possibility of starting. Anybody that can get on the field, they’ll put on a show, that’s what special about the team.”
Clemson linebacker Shaq Smith:
Thoughts on game 1: “I’m feeling great. Definitely a great experience to get out there, meaningful snaps. Definitely want to give a huge thanks to God first but definitely the guys who I’m taking after, Kendall Joseph, J.D. Davis, Tre Lamar, all of those guys. They set a great example week in and week out, all offseason, what it looks like. I’ve definitely been taking heed to that.”
Thoughts on playing at linebacker after the redshirt year: “I always looked up to Dorian O’Daniel. Ever since I came in, after the redshirt thing, he always took me up to his room and he talked to me and every time something went down, he was always there holding me down and I always looked up to him. I’ve seen a guy like Kendall (Joseph) came in and did exactly what I’m doing right now, served his time on special teams and we he got his chance, he took advantage of it.
Biggest asset of his game: “Speed. Being able to play to run and pass, being good in pass coverage and being able to run. I think that’s a great thing in today’s game. The linebacking position has gotten away from the downhill, downhill. You’ve got offenses just like ours who want to spread guys out. You need guys who can play in space.”
Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant:
Mentoring Trevor and Chase: “it was good to see those guys go in. I think they really managed it and did their job and didn’t too much. It was good being a guy on the sideline to put in my input as well. When I’m coming off the sideline, they’re telling me what they saw so it’s good to hear different feedback from different guys.”
The key to winning big road games last year: “Just treat it like practice. Try not to let outside noise affect (things), the stands, the fans, the environment, it’s still football.
The new guys on offense: “Lyn-J, Ross, Braden, DK, he made some critical plays. All those guys did. Same thing we saw in fall camp. It was special for those guys, so I’m happy to see those guys perform.
Clemson freshman Justyn Ross
Game 1: “It was great. It was a great feeling. I had my teammates to give me confidence. It was great experience. I thought I wasn’t going to be nervous but I was, I’m only usually nervous when I’m out there playing but it was just a crowd I’ve never seen before but everything went well though.”
Being compared to Sammy Watkins: “It means a lot. Sammy left a great legacy for all the receivers to build off of.”
The screen for a TD: “Usually on a screen, you just think you’re going to get a couple of yards but I saw the hole open and I couldn’t help but to go.”