Tommy Bowden Press Conference Quotes

Aug. 28, 2007

On Clemson fans and playing on Monday night: “We’re probably going to see a little more excitement and enthusiasm from a fan standpoint because of the weekend and the holiday. There’s going to be a little bit more electricity. I think it’s going to be one of those games where noise will be a factor. I want to encourage our fans to make as much noise as possible when Florida State has the ball.”

On playing against his father Bobby Bowden over the years: “It hasn’t been easy. Preparing for them is never easy because they are usually very talented and they will be again this year. I think the difficulty comes in finding ways to be productive against them (from an offensive point of view). I study their defense more than I do their offense. We didn’t have a lot of running yards last year until James Davis broke that long run at the end. So, it’s not so much the formality of the game and family as much as it is execution versus their defense. Offensively, they’re going to bring something different to the table (because of the new offensive coordinator).”

On quarterback Cullen Harper: “He’s never started a game. It’s hard to comment on a guy’s potential performance until he plays. I do think he’ll have a very steady performance based on how he has performed in practice over the last year. He’s been very consistent and very steady, but it will be a completely different scenario against Florida State. I don’t think he’ll get rattled. There’s going to be some natural nervousness and anxiety as a first-time starter. To prepare for Florida State, he’s been going against our defense. That’s the closest we have to imitate Florida State’s speed and quickness.”

On Florida State’s defense: “My preference would be for them (Florida State defense) to rush four and defend with seven, and not get pressure with four. It wouldn’t surprise me if their down linemen get pressure. So I think they’re going to initially challenge their defense to get pressure with four. If they can get in his (Cullen Harper) face and rattle him, then it will be a long night for us.”

On the possibility of freshman quarterback Willy Korn, playing: “I don’t know if he’s going to play. I’m anxious to see how the game goes and how Harper does. I’ve never been one to just put a guy in just to get him experience for next year or later on in the season unless there is a situation on the field that merits it.”

On running back C.J. Spiller: “I know his expectations are high. He’s a very talented back. I think he will be successful this year, and if he has a lot of yards, then we as team will be successful. I know both he and James (Davis) have high expectations for this year and they have worked hard.”

On starting center Barry Humphries: “It will be a great challenge for Barry. He doesn’t have experience or the size or strength that Dustin Fry (now with St. Louis Rams) did. We’re going to give up a little bit in size, strength, and experience in that position, but he’s been practicing well. He’s had a good spring, off-season, and preseason. He’s gone against some quality competition in Dorell Scott and Rashaad Jackson, but I’m sure there is going to be some nervousness in the first game from him and the quarterback position.”

On playing Florida State on Labor Day: “It’s a Monday night game and the only game on. It was too good to pass up. The national exposure is too good. We think the positives outweighed the negatives.”

On Jimbo Fisher’s offense: “I think they’ll bring back into their offensive mix a run and run-action-pass scenario, which they haven’t had the last few years. I think the biggest difference will be that. It’s his first game and he’s a bold guy. I’ve coached with him before (at Auburn) and I know his background. He has a lot of confidence. The offensive philosophy has totally changed from the past.”

On replacing the offensive line: “It is definitely easier when you replace a very experienced group of players with some talented guys. The thing you can’t duplicate is the experience, which is the most important thing. Christian Capote and Brandon Pilgrim are both fifth-year seniors and Thomas Austin is very talented, so we have some talented guys coming along, so it does make their transitions smoother.”

*Video footage from Coach Bowden’s press conference will be available on Clemson Tigers All-Access later this afternoon.