Thursday 12/28/2006
Dec. 28, 2006
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The nature of the Clemson vs. Kentucky matchup
“On paper I guess people will look at this with the chance to be a high scoring game, but when you play a bowl game it can be like a rivalry game in that you throw out the records. With such a long layoff teams have a chance to do some different things. It just as well could be a low scoring game. I hope it is because if we do it will mean our defense is playing well against a real good offense.
Does it take a long time to get on track in a bowl game?
“Sometimes it can take a while to get started offensively because you have been going against your scout team and they can’t simulate the speed of the game. That is why we had some scrimmages with best against best at Clemson. But, still we had three days off and we didn’t do that here.
“But, I have seen some bowl games were there have been teams who have gotten off to a great start and they were in the same situation as any other bowl game.
“I know Kentucky is excited after not going to a bowl game in seven years. So I have told my team they will have great enthusiasm at the beginning of the game. We will have to be ready for them from the start.”
Does Clemson have something to prove in this game?
“We still have quite a bit that we want to accomplish, there is still a lot on the table. If we win we will have a chance to finish in the top 25, something we have not done here in consecutive years since 1990-91. We have a chance for nine wins, which would tie for the most we have had since 1990. We need to win nine games.
“If C.J. Spiller can get 86 yards rushing it would give us two 1000-yard rushers for the first time in Clemson history. Few teams across the nation do that and would have both players back next year.
“We had higher goals when the season began, but it is difficult to get to a BCS Bowl. You have to continue to reevaluate your goals as the season goes on. We aren’t satisfied where we are right now, but we are better off than many teams who aren’t in a bowl game and better off than the teams who have just six or seven wins that are in a bowl game.”
Kentucky Quarterback Andre Woodson
“He has been a very productive player. When you are a quarterback who ranks among the best in the SEC in passing efficiency and total offense you have accomplished something. The SEC might be the best league in the country this year, so to have those numbers against that league is impressive.
“When you look at Kentucky’s passing offense it is similar to Boston College and South Carolina in terms of productivity. Boston College led our league in passing and South Carolina gained nearly 500 yards against us. So it will be a challenge.
December 8, 2024
