Rush in the new era

Nov 7th 2008 - Written by: Derek Chinners

First, I’d like to review last week’s performance, then a few notes on where we are now with this team, and then a small glimpse of what you will see this weekend…

I’d like to congratulate the Clemson Nation, the Clemson football team, Dabo Swinney and the entire coaching staff for last week's gut check performance against Boston College. That showing was simply all class in my opinion. More than anything, congratulations for those players who believed in themselves, expected to come home with a win, and accepted nothing less from themselves. After enduring so much adversity this year, that win was very impressive. To watch a team that could have thrown in the towel (and would’ve had many excuses to do so) go out there and finally punch somebody in the mouth was absolutely priceless. I must say, it felt so good to sit in my recliner and scream out joyfully as tiger after tiger came up with big hit after big hit with BC players routinely limping off to the sideline defeated… physically. We were tough; we were a team; we believed… we were One Clemson. It was beautiful.

This is far from over. We have a lot of work to do, and you haven’t seen their best product put on the field yet. I am thoroughly impressed with everything that Dabo has done in bringing the entire community of Clemson back together so that we may truly enjoy what Clemson football truly is… special. Keep your blinders on, guys, heads down, butts up, ready to head to Tallahassee for a dog fight.

FSU brings a tough team to the table with the nation’s number three rated defense in the country, a slippery QB, and a hostile environment which all spell a true test for our well traveled squad. This will be a special moment for Dabo in that he gets to go against one of the best coaches of all time, a fellow Alabama alum, and a coaching legend in his mind. A win here could snowball the momentum for this team into a force to be reckoned with, and if I’m sure of one thing it’s that if you are a team remaining on our schedule you do not want to play us because now we believe; now we are tough; now we are One.

It should be a great game on both sides of the ball in a physical defensive battle that is likely won through special teams and a kick at the end of the game. One thing is for sure… it will be fun to watch.

Go Tigers!

PS – The Coaching Search is over… Dabo Swinney.

If you would like to comment on this column then you can email Derek at chinners.derek@lycos.com.

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