Scenes from the Sidelines: No. 4 Clemson vs. Furman
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This is my fourth season being able to shoot Clemson Football from the sidelines, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: football looks and sounds very different from field level than it does from the stands or on television.
So, each opportunity I have to shoot, I try to take notice of the “little things” not everyone sees.
Before the Game:
The DaboTron:
The new scoreboard. Sure, we can all SEE it- that’s the point, after all, but it’s hard to get perspective on what it actually looks like from inside the stadium. Really, this observation is more for those of you who watched the game on television.
When you see it from outside the stadium, it looks overwhelming. Actually, it looks too big. But from inside the stadium, it totally fits. And the resolution on the screen is INCREDIBLE.
Towering Tigers
Blake Miller has a fierceness in his eyes only a man sworn to protect his king would have. Seriously, if you think you are going to get his QB, Blake Miller may just tear your head off and hand it to your mother-- he may smile afterward, but I doubt it. That kid is all business.
And he’s a HUGE human being!
It is impossible to really gauge how big some of these players are unless you stand right next to them. I’m here to tell you Jake Brinningstool is massive. So is Davis Allen. It’s no wonder we are seeing more from the TEs this season. These two guys can shove someone around and then make a reception look like ballet. It’s inspiring to see people this size move as fluidly as these guys do.
Furman Too
Say what you will, but Furman had some monsters on their team as well. When I was heading back to the photo room after warm-ups, I had to wait for the Furman team to get through the gate first. Holy Moley!! Those cats are big and athletic, and on Saturday, they were on a mission.
During the game:
New Get-Back Guy
I’m not sure who saw it or if they mentioned it on the radio or television broadcast, but y’all!!! DC Wes Goodwin has his own “Get Back Coach” Paul Hogan. Even though there is a Crocidile Dundee joke in there, perhaps, for now, we will call him “Adam Otherman” – you see what I did there?
According to Coach Swinney, Goodwin is as composed and calm during chaos as he is during success. I just hope “Coach Otherman” remembers Wes isn’t as big as Brent Venables. I would hate to see him snatch Coach Goodwin back into the home stands.
Student Union
From the student section, there was a lot of great energy. And a lot of support for D.J. Uiagalelei. Again, I’m not sure if it could be heard from the broadcasts, but there was a very audible chant for D.J. as the Tigers made their second march down the field towards the end zone.
What’s up, Will?
Will Shipley has the best facial expressions when he’s running-- and his tongue is always out and when he scores, I mean, he looked downright possessed when he crossed that goal line at the west end zone!! The fans there could see it, and they went nuts.
After the game:
Where the Tigers Play
Gathering at The Paw is back in full force. What a great, chaotic, crowded, exhilarating tradition! The best part is watching tired football players smile, sign autographs, and pose for photos with fans. And to see how they interact with kids might even melt the heart of Paul Finebaum. I watched Beaux Collins, and Will Shipley make time for so many fans, and they did so with a smile. They weren’t the only Clemson players doing so either. I spotted several orange jerseys surrounded by happy fans as I worked my way back to the sidelines.
#E11aStrong
By the time I leave the stadium on game days, all the fans are gone, most of the security team has left, and the players have slowly drifted out of the locker room to join their families. It’s quiet. And it’s a good time to think. And, my thoughts on Saturday evening turned towards Ella Bresee.
While this is more a reflection than an observation, I cannot end this column without mentioning Ella. Ella is the 15-year-old sister of DT Bryan Bresee and is handling cancer with the kind of courage we all hope to have in the dark times. In the quiet of the stadium, I thought about how an entire community of coaches, athletes, fans, and media had rallied around Ella and the Bresee family earlier in the day. The love and concern extended to them was palpable throughout the day, and it made me thankful to be able to cover a college football program and fan base with so much heart. Please continue to pray for the Bresee Family. I’m sure it means so much to them to have our support.
I’m looking forward to bringing you more from the sidelines during Clemson’s 2022 home campaign!
