TigerIllustrated.com - Sunday teleconference

November 1, 2009

Cris Ard
TigerIllustrated.com Publisher

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Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed members of the media Sunday, as part of his weekly teleconference. The following is an edited transcript of that teleconference.

Opening statement: "Just got through meeting with the staff awhile ago. Grades were pretty good. It was a good team win. It was an opponent that we should dominate and we did. They didn't get across the fifty until the fourth quarter. We held them to 27 yards passing. That's a phenomenal accomplishment right there, I don't care who you're playing. But there are still a lot of things we can improve on.

"I thought Corico Hawkins played well. Rashard Hall played well and got player of the game. Rennie and Miguel stepped it up, same thing with Malliciah and Andre.

"We had 252 yards rushing. We were dominant at the point of attack. We got to play a lot of guys. We're continuing to get better on third down and short yardage. We have to do a little better job on the backside. We're still coaching attention to details. We had a couple of guys that didn't play with the fire I would have liked, but overall a good win.

"We have to turn the page this week. Everyone is very familiar with Florida State. It's a really talented team. I don't care what their record says. They've created some momentum winning at UNC and then against N.C. State. It's the biggest game of the year for us. We have a tough task on our hands.

Question: Talk about the challenge against Florida State's pass game this week.

Dabo: "They're as good offensively as we've played, just studying them today. They've really gotten it going. They're throwing the ball and catching the ball as well as anybody, scoring over 30 points a game. They seem to be getting their confidence back. Ponder is dangerous. He loves to run the ball. He runs with some passion and some toughness. He's looking like a red-shirt junior now. They have a bunch of guys back up front who have played a lot of ball. Receivers are starting to come on and make some plays."

Question: Will you have to score a lot this weekend?

Dabo: "We don't go into a ballgame like that. We just have to execute on both sides of the ball. It's about us playing sound on defense, doing our job, lining up properly and with a relentless effort. We try to do a great job of stopping the run game. We just need to execute and pay attention to details and not worry about the scoreboard. Whether we win 2-0 or 45-44, it doesn't matter. We just want to find a way to win the game."

Question: Is everything still the same with Da'Quan?

Dabo: "No. I got some bad information. I would say he's probably doubtful right now for this week. Information I initially got was a sprained PCL and he was going to be fine. He told me that, too. But it looks like there may be more involved. I'd say he's doubtful for this week. Everybody else should be ready to go. Terrance Ashe will be back and we'll get Michael Palmer back. If Da'Quan is not able to play, that would be a big blow for us.

"Fortunately, we've played a lot of guys this year. Our other guys have played as many snaps as Da'Quan. Malliciah hasn't played meaningless snaps. I thought he had his best game Saturday. He'll have to step it up along with Branch and Alexander. All those guys will have to step up and replace Da'Quan if he can't play. Branch can play either side. He's definitely the guy that can go to either spot."

Question: Was the bad news miscommunication or a product of further testing?

Dabo: "I think it was miscommunication. I hope he's just out this ballgame. It could be a couple. It's hard for me to speculate. Everyone heals differently. They had not gotten the MRI report back. I thought they had. Initial information to me was a PCL, but he's also got a strained MCL."

Question: You said a few weeks in a row that this is the most important game of the year, but obviously this game has a lot more riding on it.

Dabo: "It's big, but it's not any bigger than the rest of them. They're all big. It's the next game. We have goals. I know I've said that every week because it's true. It's that game, it's the next game. That's just how we go about our business. We've got a month left, so everyday is critical, every practice, every meeting, every play. That's just really what we concentrate on. We don't get caught up in all that other stuff."

Question: What about Christian Ponder's situation? Do you know much about that?

Dabo: "We'll prepare for all their guys to be ready to go. All that stuff you kind of watch as you go through the week. I expect everybody for them to be ready to go this week."

Question: Can you talk about what has impressed you the most with Kyle Parker, his progression?

Dabo: "He has done a lot of good things throughout the season. He just happens to play the toughest position on the field. He has handled it very well. I think he has matured tremendously throughout the year. Over the last few weeks, he has taken much more ownership and accountability. His attention to detail, his sense of urgency on a daily basis, I think he has just grown as a leader with our guys and is more assertive and a more disciplined guy. He's still got a lot of things we are coaching him on, but he's going to be a good player."

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