Dabo Swinney Press Conference notes: Wake Forest
Some notes from Dabo Swinney after his Tuesday press conference previewing Wake Forest:
– Opening statement: This a great week. This is a fun week. But it’s a little bit sad, too, every year. I love home games. The challenge every week and being with the team. There’s just nothing like being in the Valley. It’s kind of sad because we are nearing the end of our season.
Last time we will see some great football players run down the hill in the Valley. All the seniors will be captains. All the way up to game time we try to make it really special for those guys. Also may have a few juniors that will be playing their last game.
– Wake Forest is a tough team coming off a tough loss at Virginia Tech. Been looking at Wake Forest the most out of any team they have played (over a month). Well-coached would be an understatement. Defensively they are disciplined and cover well. They will pick their spots. No. 9 coming off the edge is a heck of a defensive end. Guys on the insides are never in one place. Always moving. They’ve created a lot of turnovers.
Offensively, everything starts with Jamie Newman. He’s a pro, no doubt about it. He’s blessed to have some great wideouts. The best group of receivers we will have played. No. 2 is a very good route-runner. Used to play quarterback for them. They’ve got a really good group and are kind of similar to us. They got a really good quarterback, get after you, and have a scheme they can get into. If you don’t tackle with physicality, two-yard runs become 6-yard runs due to their physicality.
I’ve been having this game in my mind for a while. I’ve known that this was going to be a big one and a big challenge for us. I don’t think they were pleased with how they played last year. For us, it’s about sending our seniors off with a win and continuing to build momentum.
– On home winning streak: Seems like every week, something else is happening. This group has a chance to break the school record for most home wins. Travis Etienne has tied the school-record for 100-yard games (5 in a row). Those are fun things that are challenges for us. We take a lot of pride in playing at home.
– Wake Forest is just a little more experienced. Head coach Dave Clawson thanked Swinney after the 63-3 whipping last season and said it was the best thing that ever happened to them. They believe in what they are doing. They have been able to stay relatively healthy. Clawson was disappointed and that game last year was a wake up for their team. Think they really responded and had a great year.
– When Swinney was playing, they were “jumbo package” every play. When you have Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, you look over at them like, “geez.” Just wanted to take advantage of the personnel that we have with it.
– John Simpson has been a joy all four years. Excellent man and an excellent student. He’s come in here and gone to work and developed into a good football player. The game has slowed down for him.
– Seeing players become the best version of themselves at Clemson is a dream come true as a head coach. There’s a lot of thought that goes into each Friday message and this one is even more so because of all the seniors.
K’Von Wallace bet on himself. His whole life has transformed. To me, it’s all about the relationships. Diondre Overton has worked his tail off to be a good receiver and there’s just a great appreciation for all those guys. Isaiah Simmons, we’ll save a scholarship for him, but most likely he won’t be here.
– 2016 Deshaun Watson vs. Lamar Jackson: There was great play after great play. Lamar willed them back into the game. All of a sudden, you were in a dog fight. Seemed like every game was that way. The play that stands out to me was Marcus Edmond on fourth down. I’ve always liked Lamar. Just thought he was a great competitor.
Both are winners, leaders, have heart. We had more around Deshuan than maybe Lamar had. Unusual toughness and the ability to make something out of nothing. Heart oozes out of both those guys. Sometimes would randomly talk to Lamar on FaceTime through Trayvon Mullen.