Etienne on returning in 2020, Skalski discusses the defense
Trevor Lawrence
On what he has seen out of Wake Forest this season and what he expects in facing them:
“They’re a really good team. They’re having a really good year for sure. I guess their only two losses were Virginia Tech and Louisville, so they’ve had a really good year, playing well. Had a chance to watch a few of their games in the hotel on Saturday and their offense is really good and as far as defensively, last year, they gave us a little bit of trouble as far as just, they did a really good job timing up their blitzes and stuff like that. That’s what I can really remember from last year. They’re going to come in here ready to play with nothing to lose. Obviously, we already had the division but for them, this would be huge if they can come in here and beat us here so it’s going to be a big game and they’re going to come in here ready.”
On how the team can maintain its focus after winning the ACC Atlantic division:
“I think it’s just always thinking the best is yet to come. That’s what Coach Swinney instills in us and we have bigger goals than that. We’re kind of going down our checklist of goals we want to hit and we’ve done that but still there’s a few left on there so just keeping big picture in my mind and I think two, just knowing that we can play better and we still have our best football ahead is something to work for too.”
On what he has done differently in the past several weeks to improve since the start of the season:
“I think it’s just, like I said after the game, just being more focused. I think I was preparing well for the other games too, but I think it’s just an extra level of focus these past few weeks has been the difference for me. Before every snap, really going through everything I need to do and going through my little checklist, my pre-snap checklist has been big for me and just a little bit of extra focus I would say.”
Travis Etienne
On if he thinks that he is playing at the highest level that he ever has at Clemson:
“I just feel I’m making the most of my opportunities. Just focus on being the best version of me and not getting down by one play or a couple of plays and playing through the whole game and keeping my mind playing free and just go out there and play free and enjoy the moment.”
On how growing up in Louisiana shaped him into the person that he is today:
“I think it’s shaped me a lot just the person I am just me being able to be true to myself no matter what the circumstances are and how much people think or how highly people think of me just me to continue to just be humble and just be myself and not forget who I am.”
On if he thinks that this season will be his last year at Clemson:
“Honestly, I don’t know. Haven’t really been thinking about much after this season trying to focus on each game but it’s just crazy to think that I could be in that position but I just have to sit down with my family and just look at what may be the best option for me and my family going forward.”
James Skalski
On the defense's 10-game active streak of allowing less than 300 yards:
“Yeah so I didn’t even realize that was a thing that was going on until the night game last week and I was oh, ok this is cool. I wasn’t really thinking about it during this game and I think Daniel Boyd came to me on the sidelines and he was like, ‘They’re at 284 right now or something’ and then they fumbled the punt and I’m like, let’s go! We’ve kept them under again but I didn’t really realize it until about two weeks ago, I was like this a pretty cool stat to have.”
On how his experience helps him to remain focused throughout the season:
“Yeah. This is my fourth year now. I’ve been on the lose a game, win the natty side. I’ve been on the lose the playoff side. I’ve been on the 15-0 side. I’ve seen every scenario but all of them have led to the playoff which is good for me. I’ve seen how to handle a season and I’ve heard from a lot of older guys who have been at a high level and fortunate enough to be doing that right now.”
On what it's like to get the team's first goal out of the way by winning the ACC Atlantic division and how they will stay focused:
“Coach Swinney always says, ‘you can’t win 15 or 14 until you win 11’ so all those other goals and dreams can’t happen until we win the next one and that’s something we’ve always kept in mind around here. It’s always about the next game and all those other possibilities aren’t there unless you win that next one.”