Scolded after creating a turnover? Clemson focused on process more than results
Clemson was leading Miami 24-0 early in the third quarter of the ACC championship game when Tigers cornerback Ryan Carter stripped the ball from Miami receiver Jeff Thomas, leading to a Hurricanes turnover.
Carter celebrated with his teammates before jogging to the sideline as the Tigers were getting close to clinching a third consecutive ACC championship and College Football Playoff berth.
But when Carter was greeted by his defensive coaches he didn’t get a pat on the back before going to relax and watch the offense.
The senior had been turned around on the play and allowed an 18-yard reception, Miami’s second longest of the day, before recovering to force the fumble. Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables and cornerbacks coach Mike Reed asked for a clarification of how Thomas got so open.
“It worked out that I created a turnover, but at the end of the day I’ve got to play better as far as my technique and things like that, just really just my fault,” Carter said after the game. “I should’ve played the technique better. So it’s kind of like half and half. I got a little bit of love, I got a little bit of coaching. It just worked out.”
That is the kind of coaching that has helped make Clemson’s defense so strong under Venables.
The Tigers are No. 2 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 12.8 points per game. Only Alabama, Clemson’s opponent in the Sugar Bowl, is better at 11.5 points per game.
Clemson is also No. 6 nationally in total defense, leads the nation in sacks and is third in tackles for loss.
Carter said that a big part of Clemson’s success is being so focused on the details.
“It matters. It’s just so big to them, because they know what could’ve been if that forced fumble doesn’t happen. They just want to make sure that I learn from that and learn from my mistake and learn from how they’re trying to attack me as far as what type of coverage we’re in, just making sure that we clean up our mistakes,” Carter said. “It’s just a testament to our coaching staff, coach Venables, coach Reed, just asking me what I saw, what happened. It’s 50-50 love and hate.”
Carter has benefited from that type of coaching perhaps as much as anyone on Clemson’s roster.
He arrived as a lightly recruited prospect with few FBS offers but has been developed and is now the best cornerback on Clemson’s team. He leads the Tigers in pass breakups with nine and is tied for second on the team with two interceptions.
“He’s actually been a great contributor here really his whole career, especially the last couple years. But this year, he’s just really blossomed and I’m just really proud of him,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s become a very technically sound player. He’s always had great instincts and toughness but his confidence and just his overall knowledge is just really shining through.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Scolded after creating a turnover? Clemson focused on process more than results."