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Michael Casagrande |
Two members of Clemson's runner-up team are playing in this week's Senior Bowl.
On defense, Clemson tackle D.J. Reader felt good about the effort his group made that night. Also in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Reader saw the same themes as Peake. They were in good position, but recognized a few big plays cost Clemson a title.
"They don't make mistakes," Reader said. "They capitalize. If you're going to beat them, you really have to beat them. You can't go out there and have a fluke game and just win against them. You have to beat them straight up. That's what I respect about them as a team. They're going to do the things that matter. They're going the little tackles, even if it doesn't count, they're going to make them. They just do things the right way."
Clemson's few misfires were major factors.
There were the 50-plus-yard touchdown passes to O.J. Howard, Kenyan Drake's 95-yard kickoff return and the onside kick recovery by Marlon Humphrey early in the fourth quarter. That surprise trick play followed a game-tying field goal with 10:34 to play.
"It definitely played a big part," Peake said. "We had a chance to take a lead. It was a good play call. I'll give them that. We weren't expecting it at all. They executed it, got the ball back and scored off of it."
Reader took pride in the way Clemson defended Alabama's top offensive threat. Derrick Henry finished with 36 carries and 167 rushing yards ― 50 of which came on a first-quarter touchdown.
"We gave up some big runs because of misfits, but when we had it fitted right, it wasn't like he was just running through our defense," said Reader, owner of four tackles in the game. "He's a great back, don't get me wrong, but just a couple of misfits."
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On defense, Clemson tackle D.J. Reader felt good about the effort his group made that night. Also in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Reader saw the same themes as Peake. They were in good position, but recognized a few big plays cost Clemson a title.
"They don't make mistakes," Reader said. "They capitalize. If you're going to beat them, you really have to beat them. You can't go out there and have a fluke game and just win against them. You have to beat them straight up. That's what I respect about them as a team. They're going to do the things that matter. They're going the little tackles, even if it doesn't count, they're going to make them. They just do things the right way."
Clemson's few misfires were major factors.
There were the 50-plus-yard touchdown passes to O.J. Howard, Kenyan Drake's 95-yard kickoff return and the onside kick recovery by Marlon Humphrey early in the fourth quarter. That surprise trick play followed a game-tying field goal with 10:34 to play.
"It definitely played a big part," Peake said. "We had a chance to take a lead. It was a good play call. I'll give them that. We weren't expecting it at all. They executed it, got the ball back and scored off of it."
Reader took pride in the way Clemson defended Alabama's top offensive threat. Derrick Henry finished with 36 carries and 167 rushing yards ― 50 of which came on a first-quarter touchdown.
"We gave up some big runs because of misfits, but when we had it fitted right, it wasn't like he was just running through our defense," said Reader, owner of four tackles in the game. "He's a great back, don't get me wrong, but just a couple of misfits."
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