They Said It: No. 4 Clemson 59, Boston College 7
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CLEMSON HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY
Opening statement:
“I’m really proud of our team. I thought the guys had a great mindset tonight. I’m really proud of our tone. The offense set the tone tonight. We had a fast and efficient offense. It was awesome, especially when your offensive line coach is coaching in his 500th game. That’s the first game we’ve had no turnovers since the National Championship last year. Hopefully, that’s a sign of good things to come.”
On Clemson’s offensive performance:
“Travis Etienne continues to set the tone for us offensively. I’m really proud of everybody on offense. I couldn’t be happier for Diondre Overton. He’s a really good player, and it was awesome to see his hard work pay off tonight. He tied a school record with three receiving touchdowns.”
On the Tigers’ defense and special teams:
“I thought we were really solid on special teams. On defense, we accepted the challenge and held Boston College to 97 yards rushing. The best part was Chad Smith forcing that fumble and Logan Rudolph recovering it and rumbling to the end zone with it. I’m really proud of our defense. We had great preparation all week long.”
On offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell:
“Coaching in 500 games is indicative of who he is: his youthfulness, longevity and the reputation he has in this business. We had a lot of fun in the locker room celebrating him after the game.”
CLEMSON CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF SCOTT
Opening statement:
“[I’m] really proud of our guys. I believe we scored points [on] every drive in the first half. The guys were ready to play. That’s really what it’s all about this time of year. It’s about getting better and better. We really had our best week of practice; the guys were locked in. I thought Trevor played great; [he] made a lot of really good decisions. Travis [Etienne] ran the ball hard, and we were able to out on the perimeter and get guys in space.”
On Overton:
“I’m really happy for Diondre Overton. I think that was awesome for him to have three touchdowns, and he’s a guy that has worked extremely hard. Like I said many times before, he had every reason to look to get in the transfer portal and go somewhere [else], and he decided that he wanted to stay here and continue to work. It was awesome to see him get rewarded.”
CLEMSON CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TONY ELLIOTT
Opening statement:
“The guys have a lot of confidence right now and they know that the way we play on Saturdays is determined by the rest of the week. It’s that Tuesday practice when you have stuff going on. Can you focus in and have your best Tuesday practice? I think the guys have really bought into the preparation process. They’ve had some success and they’re growing in their confidence. The offensive line is taking advantage of the opportunity to lead this football team. They’re taking pride and working to meet our standards. If we can continue to be consistent upfront it’s going to give our playmakers opportunities to make big plays.”
On Trevor Lawrence’s performance:
“There were a few times where Trevor definitely wanted to throw the ball, but he didn’t throw it into coverage. He took what they gave us. He’s a young guy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He just needs to compartmentalize and not try to do too much. I think he’s starting to get back in his zone and just playing within the system.”
CLEMSON DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BRENT VENABLES
Opening statement:
“Our guys really played well. This was one of our best weeks and some of our best preparation. We mentally accepted the challenge. It helps when your offense plays well to put us in a great position. I’m proud of our guys. They’re staying hungry and humble, which is leading to these results. They’re grinding and are going to be challenged moving forward so we have to keep that same preparation and focus. It’s important that they maintain that appreciation and respect for the game and the toughness required to play at this high level.”
On the Boston College match-up:
“Boston College does things formationally and motion-wise that may not look like much to the naked eye, but are a lot structurally. There’s tons of adjustments that have to be made and alignments that have to be right, so it was a really good game for us to see things that we haven’t seen yet this season. This game helped grow our defense. Some of that growth was seen on the field tonight and some happened in practice as we prepared this week. We saw ourselves improve through our preparation in practice and our performance in the game.”
CLEMSON QB TREVOR LAWRENCE
On Overton:
“It was awesome. That’s a guy that goes to work every day. This is his fourth year, and maybe he hasn’t gotten as much attention and as many catches and stats as some of the other guys. He’s had opportunities to leave and play somewhere else, and he’s stuck it out. He’s a great person, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
On performance:
“As a team, I think we played really well. We had a great week of prep. We were ready to play, and we were really focused.”
On level of play:
“I said after the game that I think I played pretty well in the first half against Florida State, but this was definitely, as a whole, the best I’ve played. I just made good decisions and took care of the ball. There’s still some plays that I missed. There’s some plays that I could have done a little bit better like there always will be, but I think this was the best game I’ve played.”
CLEMSON RUNNING BACK TRAVIS ETIENNE
On team performance:
“We had a great game. I feel like we definitely have a lot of things that we can get better at. I thought that we started fast and we finished fast. We had the same mentality throughout the whole game.”
On touchdowns:
“All credit goes to the offensive line. They keep doing what they do week in and week out.”
On receiving:
“Trevor [Lawrence] is looking for me now. Throughout practice, we are always working on that. I feel like I’m catching the ball way better than I was and the best I have of my career.”
CLEMSON DE LOGAN RUDOLPH
On his touchdown:
“It was a really fun moment and I just always try and bring my all every day. It’s an unusual position for a d-lineman to be in, but it was great. That happened to be a play that I could help the team on so I just picked it up, ran with it, and it worked out. I’m glad I capitalized on it.”
On the defense’s mindset:
“We’re establishing our identity as the season has gone on. We’re gritty players. Coming into this game we knew it would be a physical match up and I think we brought it tonight. We showed how physical and dominant we can be and if we continue to do so we’ll be successful.”
On the defense’s potential:
“We can get a lot better and continue to sharpen up. We have guys banged up, so if we get healthy and bring it every week we’ll improve and really maximize our potential. If we just go in and be ourselves we’ll be successful.”
CLEMSON LINEBACKER CHAD SMITH
On the fumble:
“I was really hoping it was going to be me, but I just couldn’t get a grip on it. I’m really thankful that Logan Rudolph was able to scoop it up and score.”
On importance of the fumble:
“That’s a defender’s dream to scoop and score or [get] a pick-six. Anytime a defense can score a touchdown it’s a huge momentum swing for us. It was a big play and a big moment in the game.”
CLEMSON WR DIONDRE OVERTON
On being named game MVP:
“It’s just a blessing. I’ve put in a lot of work and kept the faith. It’s great to see it pay off. It’s been a long time coming. I could have transferred and let my team down, but I just kept the faith and pushed through.”
On why he didn’t transfer:
“I just knew that there was nowhere else like this. I knew that this was the best decision for me and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. I knew I needed to stay on this path.”
On all of his catches being touchdowns:
“I just try to make the most of my opportunities when I touch the ball.”
CLEMSON DE K.J. HENRY
On team’s improvement:
“It’s a week-to-week thing. We aren’t looking ahead, we’re just focusing on winning that week and continuing to get better.”
On team’s performance:
“I’m extremely proud of this team. We can’t take this for granted, Boston College is a talented team. They have talented, powerful backs and a great line so we knew it would be a challenge. Our goal was to stop the run, because that’s what would determine the game. We got the job done today and I’m extremely proud of our effort.”
BOSTON COLLEGE HEAD COACH STEVE ADDAZIO
Opening statement:
“Obviously Clemson played a hell of a game tonight. They’ve won 23 straight games. They’ve shown that they’re an elite team in America. I thought they played at a high level tonight. I feel like we ran into a buzzsaw. [I’m] disappointed that we weren’t able to play better than we did. And quite frankly, right now my mindset is we’ve got to go get ready to play Syracuse. We’ve got a big game coming right around the corner. We’ve got a late night, and we’ve got to get right to work and get ready for the ‘Cuse.”
On how Clemson compares to previous opponents:
“I said it all week long, I think people maybe think I’m trying to hype the game or something. This Clemson team is an elite team. You’re talking about a first-round draft pick quarterback. You’re talking about a first-round draft pick tailback. You’re talking about two first-round draft pick wide receivers. I think [they have] an outstanding offensive line. On defense, they have elite personnel everywhere… That’s one of the top, elite teams in America, so whatever anybody else was saying, I don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s my opinion.”
On how Boston College will respond after a tough loss:
“They’ll respond great. I’m just saying that flippantly. I know what they’re like. These are bright guys. They get it. They’re disappointed in [the locker room] right now. They understand that they could’ve played better than we did and should’ve played better than we did, but [they] also understand what just went on that field. They’ll get ready to go play Syracuse. They will not stutter a step.”