Clemson Tigers take history lessons

By Mark Sturgis / Contributing  

OCTOBER 7, 2011 10:59 a.m. (1)

Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd missed but one day of the three-month-long summer workouts when he spent the day at Lake Hartwell with family and friends.

That commitment was one of the many factors that brought Clemson to the 5-0 mark and a record-setting season.

Coach Dabo Swinney told his players before the season began that the program needed changing from the inside out to meet the challenge of what he called “a schedule of champions.”

“When we were out there running sprints, we really busted them. We were like, ‘who’s game number one?’ We were out there screaming ‘Troy’ on the first and ‘Wofford’ on the second. We had 12 sprints, and each one we yelled out the name of a team on our schedule. It’s very important to this team that we succeed,” said Boyd.

Coming off a 6-7 season, the job of fixing the Tigers, who haven’t won an ACC championship since 1991, would take some new blood – on the field and along the sidelines.

Swinney started with the addition of Tulsa’s Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. Morris is a former high school coach who spent 2010 as offensive coordinator and assistant coach for the Golden Hurricanes.

Swinney then stacked the roster with one of the highest ranked recruiting classes.

The players bought into the new philosophy, especially Boyd, the sophomore quarterback. Boyd spent the summer immersed in his playbook and watching film, trying to learn the intricacies of the new offense.

“You lead by working,” he said. “Everything is about actions at this level.”

He said, to him, Clemson has always been a championship caliber team.

“But now things are starting to change around here, just the atmosphere and mentality of the team,” Boyd says.

The off-season workouts were held every day on the Jervey practice fields. Boyd and his receivers worked on timing routes and conditioning drills. Last season, Clemson’s leadership was provided by senior offensive players who did not see the field often.

Offensive linemen Landon Walker and Dalton Freeman knew that had to change.

“We need players that play to lead, no matter which class they may be in,” Freeman said.

Freshman Sammy Watkins stepped up as a leader. Watkins arrived on campus early in the summer, and Boyd showed him the routes expected of him as a wide receiver. Watkins then went to his room to diagram plays and study them. Watkins was moved to the starting lineup after three practices

Swinney’s coaching changes have paid big dividends. Offensive Coordinator Chad Morris made a name for himself in one season at Tulsa and he brought his offense to Clemson.

“These players know I love them, but I don’t need any 18-22 year old college friends. I work them hard in practice, and I’m tough on them, but they know I respect them and care about them, especially when they are putting in the required effort,” he said.

Also making a difference is the new offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell, a Palmetto state native and graduate of Furman University, who served last season as Vanderbilt’s head coach.

“I’ve been around a while; I get what Clemson football is all about. Back in the day, Clemson was known for having an aggressive offensive line, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see those days again.”

This all comes on the shoulders of a young football team. The roster consists of 42 true freshman and red shirt freshmen players.

Senior cornerback Coty Sensabaugh sees a difference in attitude.

“We just need to keep our focus and keep complimenting each other, and we believe good things will happen to us.”

Clemson became the first ACC team in history to defeat three ranked opponents in consecutive weeks with wins over Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech.

The 23-3 win at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg this past weekend was the first time the Hokies have been held without a touchdown at home since 1996, and the 20 point loss was the second-worst home defeat suffered by Virginia Tech in Frank Beamer’s 24 year tenure at the school.

Clemson is ranked in the Top 10 this late in the season for the first time since 2006. Former Tiger players are noticing the changes. Billy Davis, who played on Clemson’s only national championship team in 1981 and serves as a Secret Service agent in Washington, D.C., gives the coaching staff credit.

“Coach Swinney has this team playing hard, and believing that they are working towards a common goal. In many ways, he reminds me of my head coach, Danny Ford. When he walks into a room, you know he’s there. He relates well to the players, and you can tell they believe in him and what he is doing. Nobody bleeds orange more than me, and I’m just very proud of this group and what they have accomplished against a tough schedule.”