Coaches tout unselfish play
Although the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Charlotte 49ers became a runaway early, it was far from a day off, as coaches used the opportunity to try some different schemes and let the young players get some valuable in-game experience.
Co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Elliott said he was pleased to be able to spread some playing time around to members of the line.
“Robbie Caldwell (offensive line coach) told me to kind of keep it simple,' and I called an outside zone not realizing they might not understand it,” Elliott said. “And hey, they popped it for about 12 yards. So, a lot of guys did a lot of good things, but (I) really won’t know until you watch the film to really know how they played."
Elliott said that, in particular, freshman tight end Davis Allen and sophomore Luke Price showed potential on the field when their numbers were called.
"I think tight end Davis Allen continues to — it’s probably hard to spot him out because he’s caught up in the mix in the box, but I think he continues to improve,” Elliott said. “(I’m) happy for Luke Price. (He) got in there and got a catch. He continues to give us an added dimension in the run game.”
Jeff Scott, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, said numerous members of his starting rotation, including wide receiver Tee Higgins and running back Travis Etienne were supportive when coaches pulled them out and let the younger players get their chance on the field.
“I went up and asked Tee, I think he was in there for maybe 10 plays,” Scott said. “… I just said, ‘Hey, I think you’re done. Let’s let these other guys play and get some experience.’ What those veterans know, it’s just very unique in the year 2019 to be at a place that has a culture where your stars aren’t worried about their stats. I mean (starting quarterback) Trevor (Lawrence) is honestly not worried about his stats. Travis is not worried about his stats. They’ve been a part of championship teams. These championship runs that you want to make, they know it’s a long year. And so this is an advantage.”
“... I went and asked Tee, ‘ Do you want to go one more series? I really think I want to go ahead and pull you out.’ And he said, ‘Hey, let Joe (Ngata) and those guys go play.’ It was great to see the veterans stand up there and really cheer and be engaged and pull for that next group when they went in there. It means a lot to them.”
Scott said giving numerous players additional time on the field was also advantageous from a recruiting perspective.
"Any time we’re recruiting wideouts, obviously the No. 1 thing some opposing schools may say is, ‘Why would you want to go there? They’ve got a lot of guys?’” Scott said. “And I counter that and say, ‘Well, we play eight or nine guys a game. We’re going to have nine guys on scholarship. I think it’s pretty good odds you’re going to get a chance to play.’ And I can show them that as well. It’s great for a guy like (freshman wide receiver) Brannon Spector to be able to get in there and get some good reps today, even though he’s a guy we’re going to try to hold and redshirt.”
