"Adversity is coming"

The coaching staff knew that this moment would come, maybe not this week, maybe not next week, but eventually they would have to face their biggest opponent—adversity.

CLEMSON—367 days ago, the Clemson Tigers faced a make-or-break game against the Syracuse Orange. 

Saturday, the Tigers faced their first test since that game. It had been a rather peaceful existence for the then No. 1 ranked Tigers, who had dominated every opponent since that day, but the Tigers were thrust into a situation against the North Carolina Tar Heels that they were unfamiliar with—clinging to a one-point lead as the Tar Heels prepared to go for a potential game-winning two-point conversion.

The coaching staff knew that this moment would come, maybe not this week, maybe not next week, but eventually they would have to face their biggest opponent—adversity.

"I think (playing in tight games) just continues to build belief and a toughness and confidence, cohesion," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "That's how the chemistry comes together, you know, playing for one another and guys just fighting their guts out. Whether you're on the right side or the wrong side of it, still those same attributes are gained through the adversity. 

"We talked all week about "the adversity is coming." Not that it doesn't ever happen week to week, but sometimes, you know, there's a lot less stress. We really perpetuated that idea of, "The adversity's coming and it's going to define really who you are as a competitor and as a teammate and as a Clemson Tiger."

The Tigers had to weather a 16-play drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter, two fourth down conversions and a barrage of clutch plays by the Tar Heels.

But when it came time for them to stand tall, they did just that, snuffing out the speed-option, two-point conversion attempt and sending the sidelines and Venables into a celebration that was well-deserved.

"Our guys really, again, I just couldn't be more proud of them to put the kind of display on that they did," Venables said. "Again, that that second half, to come out and punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, and then gave up the touchdown there in the last, you know, couple of minutes of the game... that was a 16 play drive we were just barely off. How fitting for how the day went, you know, again, just finding a way to win."

The 2018 Tiger defense made their mark with the leadership provided by the front four. The 2019 defense may be defined for a propensity for stopping teams on the goal line.

That type of gutsiness and will to make the critical stand when their backs are against the wall is something that comes as a direct result of preparation, work ethic and desire.

"You try to prepare them and the guys have got to be the ones that put their hand in the dirt attack and get off the blocks and make tackles and line up the right way and put their eyes in the right place," Venables said. "So I think it's a group of guys that care a great deal, and they've prepared that way thus far through the first quarter plus of the season. Our preparation and our commitment and our work ethic during the week has been as good as it's been. 

"It's been a fun group of guys to coach. The young guys have a willingness to work and to learn and be coached. So I think under stress it shows up, all that hard work, it reveals itself good or bad. I think it was a reflection of how our guys work and prepare and they're ready for those moments."