Venables is not a mad scientist, just a beneficiary of good players

Clemson's 2018 defensive line featured some of the most gregarious names and faces in the sport in Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant.The average observer may not know the names and faces of Clemson's 2019 unit as well, but the unit has served notice of its arrival with an impressive start to the season.

CLEMSON—The college football world became well-acquainted and familiar with the faces that populated Clemson's 2018 defensive line. In addition to producing four picks in the first four rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft, 

Clemson's 2018 defensive line featured some of the most gregarious names and faces in the sport in Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant.The average observer may not know the names and faces of Clemson's 2019 unit as well, but the unit has served notice of its arrival with an impressive start to the season.

While many in the college football world was concerned about whether the Tigers would maintain their dominant form, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has seen his defense not just hold their own this season but thrive.

“They did pretty good," Venables said Tuesday, regarding the Tigers 52-10 win last Saturday. "They went out and executed. It’s good to see they have been paying attention all week.”

Clemson held Texas A&M to 2.0 yards per carry on 27 carries in Week 2, the lowest yards-per-carry average allowed by Clemson since holding Boston College to 0.3 yards per carry on Nov. 10, 2018. A week after the Texas A&M game, Clemson then held Syracuse to 0.4 yards per carry in prime time.

The games represented the 18th and 19th times since 2014 that Clemson has held an opponent to 2.0 or fewer yards per carry, second-most in the country. Clemson is 18-1 in those contests.

Even with the success this young group of Tigers has experienced this season, there is still a lot of teaching left to be done—especially for the second-string guys.

“There was some for everybody. They will be a lot better for it having the opportunity to play. A lot of them got to play a lot of the game…a lot of the second team guys in particular.

“We rotated a little bit on our side of the ball with our ones and twos in the first half. I know we played a bunch that first drive of the second half. The we started to aggressively substitute. I thought they got the work they needed to get in. Yet again, it’s a long season. You’re going to have some injuries, so you’ve got to develop your team.”

Since Venables joined Clemson as defensive coordinator prior to the 2012 season, Clemson has allowed only 1.16 points per possession, the third-fewest country in that span. No program has given up fewer points per possession since 2018, as Clemson's 0.79 points allowed per possession since the start of last season makes Clemson one of the only two programs in the country to allow fewer than a full point per drive to opponents.

All of the above accolades have earned Venables the nickname of the "mad scientist" by his defensive players. However, Venables does not see himself as anything more than the beneficiary of really good players who have bought into the system.

“I think they understand the strategy part of things. They have really bought into that, not only the what but the why. They have done a great job maturing within the system that way," Venables said.  "Whatever we do, it’s only as good the players that are out their executing. First and for most it’s them…what we do is kind of a collaborative effort. I’m just trying to find the best way to utilize all that we have. That can change from week to week. We have enough versatility where we can do that.”